1 Introduction

This article outlines the importance and historical development of research on the role of interpreters, emphasizing its key role in interpreting studies and related disciplines. Through bibliometric and content analysis, the author examined the current status of translator role research from multiple dimensions, identified existing problems in the research, and proposed solutions.

2 Research paradigms, problems, and literature sources

This article introduces the application of meta research paradigm in the study of translator roles in both the East and the West, aiming to summarize, synthesize, compare, and evaluate existing research through bibliometric and content analysis methods. The research aims to answer three questions: the dilemma of studying the roles of translators in both the East and the West, possible breakthrough methods, and research prospects. The literature sources were systematically searched and screened, and ultimately included 157 journal articles and 32 doctoral dissertations.

The research dilemma of the role of three translators

Explored in depth the multiple challenges encountered in the study of interpreter roles. Firstly, the difficulty in defining the concept stems from the uneven development level of the interpreting industry globally, which leads to differences in expectations for the role of interpreters. For example, in courtroom interpretation, interpreters are expected to play the role of impartial translation machines, while in medical interpretation, they may need to play the role of coordinators or supporters. Conference interpreters are required to remain neutral, but research also shows that they are actually active participants in communication. The academic community has not yet reached a consensus on the concept of the translator's role, and research often avoids defining or assumes that readers are already aware, lacking operational definitions, which limits the development of quantitative research.

Breakthrough in the Study of Translator Roles

Explored the "breakthrough" strategy in the study of interpreter roles, including conceptual definition, research perspectives, theoretical analysis frameworks, research methods, and innovative research content. Firstly, by defining the translator's role through operations, a method combining quantitative and qualitative research is proposed from the role level to the behavior level and then to the discourse level. Secondly, it is advocated to study the role of translators from multiple perspectives such as sociology, linguistics, behavioral science, communication and communication studies, and history. Next, emphasize the construction of a theoretical analysis framework suitable for research purposes, such as role theory, communication effectiveness model, and evaluation theory. In addition, it is advocated to adopt scientific research methods such as corpus methods, experimental methods, and psychological techniques. In terms of research content, it is recommended to conduct interactive comparative studies on the role expectations, perceptions, and role behavior descriptions of translators. Finally, it is proposed to extend the research on the role of interpreters to the field of conference interpretation, in order to meet the needs of the country's external discourse dissemination and image construction.

5 Research Prospects

Four prospects are proposed for the study of the role of interpreters: firstly, enriching the research perspective from multiple dimensions, exploring the linkage between the role of interpreters and discourse dissemination, analyzing the discourse behavior of interpreters in conference interpretation and the gap between their perception of others, which has practical significance for enhancing the international dissemination effect of Chinese discourse and shaping the national image; Secondly, scholars are encouraged to draw on theories from other disciplines based on their research objectives and problems, and construct theoretical analysis frameworks that serve interpreting research; The third is to strengthen the corpus research on the role of interpreters, and attempt to apply natural language processing techniques such as Python and R language to corpus interpretation research, providing a new perspective for quantitative research on interpreter roles; Fourthly, a comparative study will be conducted on the interaction between the expected and perceived roles of interpreters, as well as the description of their behavior. Through corpus and questionnaire interview methods, a comprehensive analysis will be conducted on the role of interpreters in interpreting products, processes, and participant interactions, further examining their influence in the socio-cultural context.