Call for Papers: Special Issue on the Sustainability of Interpreting as a Profession in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

23-05-2025

In an increasingly globalized world where communication across languages is vital, the interpreting profession stands at a critical crossroads. Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping the landscape of language services, presenting both challenges and opportunities for interpreters worldwide. This special issue aims to explore the sustainability of interpreting as both a professional and a research field against the backdrop of AI innovation.

Scope and Objectives

This special issue invites original research contributions examining the multifaceted dimensions of sustainability in the interpreting profession as it navigates the AI revolution. We seek papers that analyze how interpreters and the broader interpreting ecosystem are adapting and transforming, in this changing technological landscape. The issue aims to build a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes a "sustainable" future for interpreting in economic, environmental, social, cultural, and academic terms. We welcome contributions from all fields of spoken language interpreting (conference, community/public service, court interpreting, etc.).

Research Themes

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

AI Impact Assessment

  • Empirical studies on how AI-powered interpreting technologies are affecting the market for human interpreters
  • Comparative analyses of human vs. AI interpreting performance across different domains and language pairs
  • Research on adoption/implementation patterns of AI interpreting tools among various stakeholders

Professional Sustainability

  • Investigations into evolving business models and career trajectories for interpreters in an AI-augmented landscape
  • Studies on skill development and professional identity transformation among interpreters
  • Research on wage sustainability and economic viability of interpreting careers amid technological disruption

Educational Evolution

  • Examinations of how interpreter training programs are adapting curricula to incorporate AI literacy
  • Research on pedagogical innovations that prepare interpreters for collaboration with AI tools
  • Studies on competency frameworks for future-proof interpreting professionals

Research Field Sustainability

  • Meta-analyses on evolving research methodologies in interpreting studies
  • Investigations into funding landscapes for interpreting research in the age of AI
  • Studies on interdisciplinary approaches bridging interpreting. technology, and sustainability sciences.

Submission Guidelines
We welcome empirical studies, theoretical papers, systematic reviews, and well-developed/documented position papers. Manuscripts should not exceed 6,000 words including references. Authors should clearly articulate the implications of their research for the sustainability of interpreting as both a profession and a field of academic inquiry.
We welcome contributions that are 4,000 to 6,000 words long, following the Journal’s guidelines. (https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/latic/about/submissions#authorGuidelines).

Important Information and Dates

  • Deadline for abstracts: August 31, 2025
  • Deadline for approval: September 30, 2025
  • Deadline for submission of full papers: November 30, 2025
  • Expected publication date of the issue: February 2026
  • Proposals and final articles must be submitted only in English