Research Article

Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training

Number: 40 July 24, 2026
TR EN

Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training

Abstract

This mixed-methods research investigates the beliefs of first-year trainees in translation and interpreting who participated in a metaverse-based platform for simultaneous interpreting practice. 26 students interpreted a short, 4-minute English video into Turkish in the virtual environment. Belief changes were measured using a pretest-posttest design, including the ‘meta-education belief scale’, whereas qualitative data were gathered by means of open-ended questions. The results showed a statistically significant decline in opinion scores after the activity. Initially, students appreciated the anonymity that the avatars offered, thereby reducing anxiety, and the option to work from home. However, technical problems, including connectivity and instability of the platform, crippled their enthusiasm. The added challenge of continuous translation along with navigating an unfamiliar digital space added to their cognitive load. Nonetheless, students saw that learning could occur in the metaverse if technical restraints were lifted. The study indicates that while immersive environments are believed to enhance translation teaching, they are underdeveloped and need careful design. Future initiatives toward better real-time translation training must seek to limit platform instability and complexity for the highest level of student benefit. All in all, findings indicate that learners believed metaverse-based translation training might work, provided that further improvements are made. Based on the findings, a ‘pedagogical optimization framework’ is developed that specifies when and how metaverse based simultaneous interpreting can complement traditional labs, providing interpreter trainers with actionable design criteria.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study adhered to the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. The research protocol was approved by the Ondokuz Mayıs University Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee. The participants were fully informed about the study and provided their written informed consent.

Thanks

We would like to thank Dr. Esen GENÇ for their support provided during the data collection process.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Translation and Interpretation Studies

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 24, 2026

Submission Date

March 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 40

APA
Çelik, F. (2026). Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training. Çeviribilim Ve Uygulamaları Dergisi, 40, 77-103. https://doi.org/10.37599/ceviri.1662237
AMA
1.Çelik F. Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training. Çeviribilim ve Uygulamaları Dergisi. 2026;(40):77-103. doi:10.37599/ceviri.1662237
Chicago
Çelik, Ferdi. 2026. “Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training”. Çeviribilim Ve Uygulamaları Dergisi, nos. 40: 77-103. https://doi.org/10.37599/ceviri.1662237.
EndNote
Çelik F (July 1, 2026) Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training. Çeviribilim ve Uygulamaları Dergisi 40 77–103.
IEEE
[1]F. Çelik, “Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training”, Çeviribilim ve Uygulamaları Dergisi, no. 40, pp. 77–103, July 2026, doi: 10.37599/ceviri.1662237.
ISNAD
Çelik, Ferdi. “Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training”. Çeviribilim ve Uygulamaları Dergisi. 40 (July 1, 2026): 77-103. https://doi.org/10.37599/ceviri.1662237.
JAMA
1.Çelik F. Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training. Çeviribilim ve Uygulamaları Dergisi. 2026;:77–103.
MLA
Çelik, Ferdi. “Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training”. Çeviribilim Ve Uygulamaları Dergisi, no. 40, July 2026, pp. 77-103, doi:10.37599/ceviri.1662237.
Vancouver
1.Ferdi Çelik. Step Forward or Stumbling Block? Learner Opinions on Metaverse in Simultaneous Interpreter Training. Çeviribilim ve Uygulamaları Dergisi. 2026 Jul. 1;(40):77-103. doi:10.37599/ceviri.1662237