Live and Let Interpret: Prefrontal EEG and Autonomic Correlates of Reduced Cognitive Load in Subtitle-Empowered Interpreting

This study presents a timely and empirically grounded response to the epistemic challenge of augmenting human cognition in the era of AI-integrated interpreter training. While neurocognitive evidence has shown that Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) subtitles can enhance interpreting performance and mitigate mental load (Li & Chmiel, 2024), there is as yet no study that evaluates these effects using physiological data—real-time, embodied indicators of cognitive effort. This project advances a new methodology that brings together biometric measurement, behavioral analysis, and qualitative feedback to examine the impact of ASR subtitling as a form of Human-Centered, Augmented Machine Translation (HCAMT). It directly answers the call for new methodologies to evaluate HCAMT experience and to develop empowering tools and workflows in interpreting.