MARKET DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETING SERVICES IN SOUTH KOREA

This study seeks to explore the market demand for professional interpreting in South Korea. Demand for both conference interpreting and staff interpreting are studied to gain a comprehensive understanding of users’ demand for and perceptions of professional interpreting services in South Korea. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore the topic by conducting a questionnaire-based survey and an in-depth interview using fictitious resumes, with participants who are users of professional interpreting services. The findings suggest that conference interpreting, and simultaneous interpreting, in particular, is well appreciated by users for the high level of skill required for the job. Users considered interpreting quality and domain-specific interpreting experience very important and expected professional interpreting to be provided as a business service. In-house interpreting, on the other hand, was not highly respected and was even viewed as a cost center. Based on the result, this study underlines the need for improving users’ perceptions of professional interpreting services and for recognizing their contributions to the final business or organizational outcomes.