earticle

영어

Using data from Naver Knowledge In (KiN), the largest online Q&A community in South Korea, and YouTube, this article investigates the public perceptions of simultaneous interpreters in the online world. Python is used to crawl titles and descriptions from YouTube videos as well as questions posed by the general public from Naver KiN with the search word “동시 통역사” (“simultaneous interpreter” in Korean). A qualitative content analysis is performed on 110 Naver KiN questions and 55 YouTube videos. The result is complemented with a keyword analysis. On Naver KiN, most of the questions were from people who “dream” to become a simultaneous interpreter. People perceived simultaneous interpreters as (1) experts in language; (2) working on the “global” stage; (3) with a “free” lifestyle; (4) and a role of mediating between different “cultures.” On YouTube, simultaneous interpreters claimed to be professionals, but at the same time appeared to feel the need to prove themselves and defend against competition coming from unqualified interpreters. They perceived their job as “harsh,” “hectic,” “stressful” but “fun” at the same time.