Cihan Ünlü
Interpreter, Academic, Researcher, Tech. Enthusiast
Cihan Ünlü
About Me
I am an interpreter, researcher and PhD candidate specializing in translation and interpreting technologies. My work focuses on translation technologies, computer-assisted interpreting, human-computer interaction (HCI), machine interpreting, and the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance accessibility and user experience in language services. Currently affiliated with İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University and Boğaziçi University, I aim to bring together academic research and industry practice by developing solutions that improve how translation and interpreting workflows operate.
On this page, you’ll find insights into my projects, research, and ideas aimed at this objective.
- Currently working atIstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University
- e-mailunlucihan@yahoo.com
What I Do
Resume
Experience
2020 - Current
Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University
Research Assistant
Department of Translation and Interpreting
2019 - Current
Freelance
Interpreter
2019-2019
Huawei Technologies Inc.
Intern
Huawei Türkiye R&D Department
Education
2023 - Current
Boğaziçi University
Translation Studies (PhD)
PhD Candidate in the Department of Translation Studies, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul.
2021-2023
Hacettepe University
Translation and Interpreting (M.A.)
MA in the Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies, Hacettepe University, Ankara.
2015-2019
Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University
BA in the Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies
Other
2023 - Current
SAFE-AI
Research Committee Member
Stakeholders Advocating for Fair and Ethical AI in Interpreting
Skills
Interpreting
Translation Technologies
Interpreting Technologies
Localization
Coding Skills
Python
HTML
CSS
NodeJs
Research Area
- Interpreting Studies
- Translation Studies
- Artificial Intelligence
- HCI
- Computer-Assisted Interpreting
- Remote Interpreting
- Community Interpreting
- Simultaneous Interpreting
- Consecutive Interpreting
Knowledges
- Machine Interpreting
- Speech Technologies
- Large Language Models
- Simultaneous Machine Interpreting
- Natural Language Processing
- Speech Synthesis
- Translation Theory
- Translation History
Certificates
Products
Sight-Terp
Sight-Terp is a web-based CAI tool designed to assist interpreters in consecutive interpreting scenarios. The tool was developed in the scope of my MA thesis at Hacettepe University. It uses advanced speech recognition to provide real-time transcription of spoken language, which is immediately translated in parallel and displayed in a vertical format. An embedded digital notepad replicates the pen-and-paper experience, enabling interpreters to jot down notes, underline key information, or even scratch out errors. With features like Named Entity Recognition (NER) to highlight crucial data, Sight-Terp offers a device-friendly solution—whether on a tablet, phone, or computer.
https://www.sightterp.net
Articles
- Ünlü, C., & Doğan, A. (2024). Enhancing consecutive interpreting with ASR: Sight-Terp as a computer-assisted interpreting tool. Revista Tradumàtica. Tecnologies de la Traducció, 22, 000–000. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/tradumatica.382
Conference Presentations
- Unlu, C. (2022). Investigating the use of ASR and speech translation in consecutive
interpreter workstation: A pilot study on ASR-enhanced CAI tool prototype ‘Sight-
Terp’. Paper presented at the 44th ASLING Translating and the Computer
Conference, European Convention Center Luxembourg, Luxembourg City.
Theses
- Ünlü, C. (2023). Automatic speech recognition in consecutive interpreter workstation: Computer-aided interpreting tool ‘Sight-Terp’ [Unpublished Master’s Thesis]. Hacettepe University.
- Dellantonio, E. (2023). Utilizzo del CAI tool Sight-Terp in interpretazione consecutiva: Impiego del CAI tool per la risoluzione di passaggi sintatticamente complessi nella combinazione linguistica tedesco-italiano [Use of the CAI tool Sight-Terp in consecutive interpreting: Use of the CAI tool to solve syntactically complex passages in the German-Italian language combination] [Unpublished Master’s Thesis]. Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck.
- Restuccia, M. (2023). Interpretazione di conferenza e IA: Studio sperimentale su Sight-Terp e la consecutiva assistita [Conference interpreting and AI: Experimental study on Sight-Terp and assisted consecutive] [Unpublished Master’s Thesis]. Università degli Studi di Trieste.
InterpreTutor
InterpreTutor is an AI-driven app that provides in-depth feedback on your interpretations by comparing your audio input with the original source text. Using artificial intelligence for analysis, it evaluates accuracy, coherence, and terminology of your performance. InterpreTutor assigns a rating out of ten to help you gauge your performance and pinpoint areas needing improvement, making it a powerful tool for refining your interpreting skills.
https://interpretutor.app
Conference Presentations
- Unlu, C. (2022). Investigating the use of ASR and speech translation in consecutive
interpreter workstation: A pilot study on ASR-enhanced CAI tool prototype ‘Sight-
Terp’. Paper presented at the 44th ASLING Translating and the Computer
Conference, European Convention Center Luxembourg, Luxembourg City
PracticeAI
PracticeAI generates speeches for interpreters looking to hone their skills on a range of topics and difficulty levels. Powered by large language models, it creates custom speech content you can download and listen to for practice. You can further fine-tune your sessions by editing the generated text to match your specific needs. Whether you’re a student or a seasoned professional, PracticeAI delivers a flexible way to sharpen your interpreting skills.
https://www.practiceai.app
Conference Presentations
- Unlu, C. (2023). PracticeAI: Leveraging LLMs and Speech Synthesis for Material
Generation in Interpreting Training. Paper presented at the 45th ASLING
Translating and the Computer Conference, European Convention Center
Luxembourg, Luxembourg City. - Unlu, C. (2023). Sözlü Çeviri Eğitimi için Yapay Zekâ ve Konuşma Sentezi Destekli
Alıştırma Materyalleri Oluşturmak: Olasılıklar ve Sınırlar. Paper presented at the 1st
National Congress on Translation and Interpreting Technologies, Boğaziçi
University, İstanbul, Türkiye.
Research
Articles
- Ünlü, C., & Doğan, A. (2024). Enhancing consecutive interpreting with ASR: Sight-Terp as a computer-assisted interpreting tool. Revista Tradumàtica. Tecnologies de la Traducció, 22, 000–000. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/tradumatica.382
Book Chapters
- Ünlü, C. (2025). Technology-Enabled Consecutive Interpreting. In E. Davitti, T. Korybski, & S. Braun (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Interpreting Technology and AI (Forthcoming) Routledge.
Conference Presenatations
- Ünlü, C. (2024). Artificial intelligence in inter-semiotic translation: Enhancing video
accessibility with generative AI for visually impaired individuals. 2nd International
Congress on Academic Studies in Translation and Interpreting Studies, Bolu,
Türkiye. - Unlu, C. (2023). PracticeAI: Leveraging LLMs and Speech Synthesis for Material
Generation in Interpreting Training. Paper presented at the 45th ASLING
Translating and the Computer Conference, European Convention Center
Luxembourg, Luxembourg City. - Unlu, C. (2023). Sözlü Çeviri Eğitimi için Yapay Zekâ ve Konuşma Sentezi Destekli
Alıştırma Materyalleri Oluşturmak: Olasılıklar ve Sınırlar. Paper presented at the 1st
National Congress on Translation and Interpreting Technologies, Boğaziçi
University, İstanbul, Türkiye. - Unlu, C. (2023). InterpreTutor: Using Large Language Models for Interpreter
Assessment. Paper presented at the International Conference on Human-
informed Translation and Interpreting Technology, University of Naples
‘L’Orientale’, Naples, Italy. - Unlu, C. (2022). Investigating the use of ASR and speech translation in consecutive
interpreter workstation: A pilot study on ASR-enhanced CAI tool prototype ‘Sight-
Terp’. Paper presented at the 44th ASLING Translating and the Computer
Conference, European Convention Center Luxembourg, Luxembourg City. - Unlu, C. (2020). Professionalisation and COVID-19: An Overview of the Profession of
Interpreting from Ethical, Sectoral, and Pedagogical Perspectives. Paper
presented at the 2nd International Congress on Academic Studies in Philology
(BICOASP), Bandırma University.
