SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS AMONG COMMUNITY INTERPRETERS: LINGUISTIC AND TRANSLATION PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This article provides a thorough analysis of the existing research on secondary traumatic stress (STS) among community interpreters who work in environments involving traumatic experiences. By integrating findings from translation studies, psychology, and related fields, the review defines community interpreting as a highly emotionally taxing profession characterized by continuous exposure to distressing narratives in legal, medical, and governmental contexts. Special emphasis is placed on the concepts of emotional labour and embodied empathy. The article compiles empirical evidence on the psychological and physical effects of STS, such as emotional exhaustion, burnout, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, while also introducing new discussions on the phenomenon of vicarious post-traumatic growth. Furthermore, the review underscores the absence of structured training, institutional backing, and self-help resources for community interpreters. It particularly emphasizes the underexplored post-Soviet and Central Asian landscape, using Kazakhstan as an example where community interpreting is prevalent but lacks proper regulation and support. The article pinpoints critical shortcomings in existing research and advocates for context-specific studies and the inclusion of trauma-informed training and support frameworks in translation education and policy.