Quantitative evaluation approach for English–Catalan translation of soundscape perceptual attributes

Abstract

Soundscape research involves the evaluation of acoustic environments using perceptual attributes such as annoyance, calmness, and vibrancy. The “Soundscape Attributes Translation Project” (SATP) aims to standardize these attributes across languages to enhance cross-linguistic comparability. This study presents a comparative analysis between English and Catalan, a language spoken by a community of approximately 10 million individuals. In a perceptual test, conducted in both languages, participants listened to seven urban sounds and rated how well these sounds are represented by five attributes (loud, shrill, disturbing, sharp and pleasant) in a five-point Likert scale. This investigation diverges from ISO standards since it emerged as a derivative of the perceptual studies conducted within the LIFE DYNAMAP project, prior to the SATP initiative. Our research significantly advances the global understanding of soundscapes by juxtaposing a widely utilized language (English) with Catalan. Although our findings reveal similar results for almost all the attributes, significant differences rise in the interpretation of the term shrill. This outcome underscores the importance of meticulous translation practices in soundscape research, thereby fostering its universal accessibility and utility.