an unavoidable error or an intentional strategy? simultaneous interpreters’ awareness of omission

Simultaneous interpreting often involves omission, traditionally viewed as an error but increasingly recognized as a strategic choice to optimize fluency. this study examined interpreters’ self-awareness regarding omission, investigating whether it stems from conscious strategy or cognitive overload. a structured questionnaire administered to 42 professional interpreters with diverse language combinations and experience levels revealed that omission is common, with 76% considering it intentional condensation rather than a mistake. interpreters employed strategies like simplification (55%), pausing (43%), and replacing specific terms with general alternatives (59%), yet omission remained the primary coping mechanism, particularly under high cognitive demand. the findings align with gile’s (1999) effort models and tightrope hypothesis as well as pym’s (2008) risk-based distinction, emphasizing the role of contextual awareness in interpreters’ decision-making. while experienced interpreters showed greater strategic awareness, many struggled to assess omission’s impact. the study underscores omission as an unavoidable yet double-edged strategy, suggesting interpreter training curricula should emphasize the development of situational judgment, cognitive monitoring, and evaluative reflection, enabling practitioners to navigate deliberate omissions with both efficacy and ethical awareness. future research should seek to synthesize theoretical inquiry, empirical research, and pedagogical innovation within interpreting studies.