Remote Interpreting: How Can It Change the World of Public Service Interpreting in Slovakia?

Abstract

This article explores the use of remote interpreting technologies in public service interpreting (PSI), with a particular focus on dialogue interpreting (DI) as the most widely used and interactionally complex technique in PSI. In recent years, the PSI landscape has undergone significant changes due to the increasing adoption of remote interpreting technologies, including telephone interpreting (TI), video remote interpreting (VRI), and video relay services (VRS). While these modalities offer advantages in terms of accessibility and flexibility, they also disrupt the multimodal nature of communication typical of face-to-face interpreting. Drawing on recent research, this article compares interactional aspects of remote and in-person interpreting, highlighting challenges such as limited access to embodied resources, overlapping speech, and disrupted repair sequences. The study further maps the current state of remote interpreting use in Slovakia, a country where PSI is still developing and under-researched. By integrating theoretical insights with practical implications, the article formulates recommendations for the broader implementation of remote interpreting technologies in Slovakia. Special attention is given to interpreter training and awareness-raising among institutional stakeholders to ensure high-quality, inclusive, and technologically supported communication in PSI settings.