Publication type: Article in scientific journal
Type of review: Peer review (publication)
Title: Physical ergonomics at translators’ workplaces : findings from ergonomic workplace assessments and interviews
Authors: Meidert, Ursula
Neumann, Silke
Ehrensberger-Dow, Maureen
Becker, Heidrun Karin
Published in: ILCEA
Volume(Issue): 2016
Issue: 27
Page(s): 1
Pages to: 18
Issue Date: 2016
Publisher / Ed. Institution: Institut des Langues et Cultures d'Europe et d'Amérique Grenoble
ISSN: 2101-0609
Language: English
Subjects: Assessments; Translator; ErgoTrans; Ergonomics
Subject (DDC): 418.02: Translating and interpreting
620: Engineering
Abstract: Most professional translators in the Western world are heavy computer users and thus may be exposed to health risks known to be associated with computer work. These include musculoskeletal ailments of the upper extremities, back, shoulders, arms, hands and problems with the eyes. This paper reports on the findings of workplace assessments and interviews with professional translators with respect to the ergonomics of their workplaces and related health issues. A total of 36 professional translators working as freelancers, in institutional settings or in commercial enterprises were visited at their workplaces. Each workplace was assessed and compared to the recommendations about ergonomics available in the literature. In addition, interviews were held with translators immediately after the assessments about their current health status and any recent complaints. Many of the assessed workplaces evinced a high standard of ergonomically appropriate equipment and furniture. However, the equipment was in many cases not adjusted to suit the ergonomic needs of the individual using the workplace. Although the level of complaints was low overall, the highest number of health complaints related to the eyes, eck and shoulder girdle. Frequent breaks, changing position and doing short exercises to loosen up tense muscles would address these problems by helping to reduce tension and pain in the neck, shoulders and back and by providing rest for the eyes. Whenever possible, an ergonomic consultation is recommended. It is also recommended that ergonomic knowledge about proper workplace set-up should be provided in professional training.
URI: https://journals.openedition.org/ilcea/3996
https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/2633
Fulltext version: Published version
License (according to publishing contract): Licence according to publishing contract
Departement: Applied Linguistics
Organisational Unit: Institute of Translation and Interpreting (IUED)
Published as part of the ZHAW project: Cognitive and Physical Ergonomics of Translation
Appears in collections:Publikationen Angewandte Linguistik

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Meidert, U., Neumann, S., Ehrensberger-Dow, M., & Becker, H. K. (2016). Physical ergonomics at translators’ workplaces : findings from ergonomic workplace assessments and interviews. Ilcea, 2016(27), 1–18. https://journals.openedition.org/ilcea/3996
Meidert, U. et al. (2016) ‘Physical ergonomics at translators’ workplaces : findings from ergonomic workplace assessments and interviews’, ILCEA, 2016(27), pp. 1–18. Available at: https://journals.openedition.org/ilcea/3996.
U. Meidert, S. Neumann, M. Ehrensberger-Dow, and H. K. Becker, “Physical ergonomics at translators’ workplaces : findings from ergonomic workplace assessments and interviews,” ILCEA, vol. 2016, no. 27, pp. 1–18, 2016, [Online]. Available: https://journals.openedition.org/ilcea/3996
MEIDERT, Ursula, Silke NEUMANN, Maureen EHRENSBERGER-DOW und Heidrun Karin BECKER, 2016. Physical ergonomics at translators’ workplaces : findings from ergonomic workplace assessments and interviews. ILCEA [online]. 2016. Bd. 2016, Nr. 27, S. 1–18. Verfügbar unter: https://journals.openedition.org/ilcea/3996
Meidert, Ursula, Silke Neumann, Maureen Ehrensberger-Dow, and Heidrun Karin Becker. 2016. “Physical Ergonomics at Translators’ Workplaces : Findings from Ergonomic Workplace Assessments and Interviews.” Ilcea 2016 (27): 1–18. https://journals.openedition.org/ilcea/3996.
Meidert, Ursula, et al. “Physical Ergonomics at Translators’ Workplaces : Findings from Ergonomic Workplace Assessments and Interviews.” Ilcea, vol. 2016, no. 27, 2016, pp. 1–18, https://journals.openedition.org/ilcea/3996.


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