Visual insights into translation: demystifying trends of adopting eye-tracking techniques in translation studies

The increasing use of eye-tracking techniques in translation studies offers valuable insights into cognitive processes and behavioral strategies of translators, reflecting a significant trend within cognitive linguistics and translator training methodologies.

This review harnesses quantitative bibliometric analysis through Bibliometrix R-package with qualitative content assessment to evaluate the trajectory and thematic evolution of eye-tracking research in translation studies. Through a dataset from the Web of Science, 56 articles were analyzed, revealing distinct thematic dimensions and trend dynamics.

The analysis revealed that eye-tracking is increasingly pivotal in exploring the cognitive and technological dimensions of translation. Central themes include interactions with translation tools, machine translation, and human-computer interaction, highlighting the importance of cognitive research in technology-driven translation. Niche areas such as English-Chinese translation and online consultation suggest specialized topics that warrant further investigation. Additionally, emerging themes like cognitive load and sight translation demonstrate a shift toward exploring real-time translation processing. Declining traditional topics, such as broader translation theories, indicate a growing integration of cognitive research with technological advancements.

These findings elucidate the growth and diversification of eye-tracking applications in translation studies, emphasizing the method's importance in both academic research and practical applications, thereby informing future studies and enhancing translator training programs.