Callum Walker - An Eye-Tracking Study of Equivalent Effect in Translation: The Reader Experience of Literary Style

This series examines the crucial role which translation and interpreting in their myriad forms play at all levels of communication in today's world, from the local to the global. Whilst this role is being increasingly recognised in some quarters (for example, through European Union legislation), in others it remains controversial for economic, political and social reasons. The rapidly changing landscape of translation and interpreting practice is accompanied by equally challenging developments in their academic study, often in an interdisciplinary framework and increasingly reflecting commonalities between what were once considered to be separate disciplines. The books in this series address specific issues in both translation and interpreting with the aim not only of charting but also of shaping the discipline with respect to contemporary practice and research.

More information about this series at http://www.palgrave.com/gp/series/14574

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While I have singled out certain individuals in these acknowledgements, I would like to extend, more generally, my sincere gratitude to anybody with whom I have had contact in relation to this research and who has supported me in my work in any capacity. This of course extends to the numerous nameless participants who gave up their time to take part in my research for no personal or monetary gain.

Thanks should first be extended to Durham Universitys School of Modern Languages and Cultures for the use of their eye tracker and laboratory space. I am also very grateful to my various colleagues at Durham who have lent a supportive and sympathetic ear over the last few years, in relation to both my research and my teaching. I would also like to thank the Centre for Translation Studies at University College London, which also supported a large proportion of this research in various ways.

I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my doctoral supervisor, Dr. Federico Federici, who, over the course of this research, dedicated a huge amount of time to discussing and reviewing my work, both during my doctoral studies and in the years since. He has shown nothing but the utmost encouragement, support and endorsement for all of my academic ventures since the day that we first met. I would also like to thank Dr. Stephen Doherty and Dr. Agnieszka Szarkowska, my doctoral examiners, whose stimulating questions during my viva voce examination and subsequent feedback provided much food for thought in the drafting of this book.

Turning to my family, I would first like to thank my brother, Aidan, for providing his expert statistical insights into my analytical approaches by pointing me in the direction of a number of areas of statistics that were worth exploring and commenting on some early drafts on the statistical elements of my research.

To my twin sons Kieran and Oliver, who were only two years old when this research began, you have always been and continue to be the driving force behind my work. How it is that your unrivalled ability to push the physical capabilities of the human body to generate noise and distractions has encouraged me in this way, I cannot possibly say, but I know this: I will always be grateful for how well you have adapted to me being away for teaching, research trips and conferences, or putting up with those times when Ive had to work longer hours to get things done. You are growing up to be kind, polite, intelligent, inquisitive and, most of all, independent young men, and I could not be prouder.

To my daughter Bethan, who was born roughly halfway through this project, how you have grown up over the last few years has been a joy to behold, even if it has passed rather too quickly for my liking. Im so very proud of how adaptable you have been, your strong will, your inherently caring nature, and how your little mannerisms still manage to bring a smile to my face even after the toughest of days.

And finally, to my wife Megan, it is no exaggeration to say that, without you, none of this would have been possible. Youve always been there not only to support and encourage me personally, but also to provide the support and encouragement that our children have needed when Ive not been there. Youve listened to my complaints, my concerns, my anxieties and my insecurities about my work without ever wavering in your comfort and have dedicated a huge amount of time to looking over drafts, debating various theoretical matters with me or listening to me talk about things that dont interest you in the slightest! Ill say this again, to my wife and my children, because I mean it: I could not have reached this point in my academic career without your love, support and belief in me every step of the way.