Limitations and possibilities of “Interpreting X.0” from the perspective of complex thinking

Abstract

This exploration of the “Limitations and Possibilities of ‘Interpreting X.O’ from the Perspective of Complex Thinking” aims to offer an integrative vision of the future of the profession and research. In this article, we defend the thesis that, in the field of interpreting, digitization cannot be achieved by an economy alone, and that the complex phenomenon of Interpreting X.O requires an equally complex approach and new research methods. To this end, we begin by examining the transition from the industrial to the information society in which interpreting was born and developed, in order to identify the possibilities offered by this paradigm. Secondly, we discuss the influence of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) on interpreting, highlighting both their limitations and possibilities. We then attempt to clarify the concept of “complex thinking” to dispel potential preconceptions and avoid misunderstandings. Finally, we argue that if complex phenomena require complex and scientific approaches, then it may be time to propose a new integrative logic for addressing the challenges faced by our profession in its latest iteration, Web 4.0. This proposal is grounded in the principles of complex thinking.