The Style Parameter in Quality Evaluation and Expectations of Simultaneous Interpreting

This study focuses on the analysis of the style parameter, which is one of the nine parameters established by Buhler (1986) to evaluate the quality of an interpretation, and its impact on conference interpretations. Three studies have been designed to analyze the replies of a group of specialized users, and how the subjects understand the concept of 'style'. These studies also show the effect of a manipulation to create an excessively complex style on the recipients of the interpretation, users' expectations, and the interaction of this parameter with others, both verbal and non-verbal. Although the study indicates the lack of consensus when it comes to a definition of the concept of style, it also shows that its significance may be greater than that which has been attributed to it so far in the field of interpretation.