Cognitive translation and interpreting studies – an evolving research area and a thriving community of practice

In this introduction we look at the evolving research area of Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies (CTIS) through the lens of articles which report on cutting edge research in a variety of multilectal mediated communicative events. Seven contributions in this issue expand the frame of Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies with detailed, empirically grounded accounts of how language and mind interact in mediated communication. The new empirical evidence challenges key concepts, such as cognitive effort or translation expertise, and sheds light on overlooked areas of translation reception and accessibility research. Although the studies vary in topic and methods, they converge on a more sophisticated view of cognition in multilectal mediated communication which underscores its complexity and dynamics. The findings point to two overarching trends in CTIS research: (1) conceptual progress and (2) methodological sophistication. The contributors to this special issue are all mid- and early-career researchers and the development of their research expertise mirrors that of CTIS as a community of practice committed to producing knowledge based on empirical evidence and enriched by meaningful collaborative exchanges with neighboring disciplines.