From crisis to opportunity: advancements in emergency language services

Abstract

Abstract Emergency language services play a critical role in emergency management and language services, facilitating effective information transmission, timely life-saving efforts, accurate public opinion guidance, and the maintenance of social stability during public emergencies. This study aims to comprehensively assess the current state of emergency language research, exploring recent advancements and future trends in emergency language services. Using bibliometric and content analysis, 3814 academic papers on emergency language services were systematically reviewed. Recent publications reveal a burgeoning interest in this field, particularly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Research areas reflect a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the complex challenges of emergency language services. Keyword co-occurrence analysis unveils the pivotal research trajectories across various temporal phases. In the initial stage, emphasis was placed on unraveling communication and language hurdles within the emergency department. Transitioning into a phase of stable development, attention primarily gravitated toward natural language processing technology and the complexities of language barriers. Subsequently, during a period of rapid advancement, the spotlight shifted towards the pragmatic application of emergency language services amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This encompassed diverse domains such as distance education, telemedicine services, and exploratory investigations into social media dynamics. This evolution highlights an increasing interest in leveraging emerging technologies to enhance emergency response times and service quality. Future research should prioritize addressing key issues within the research framework and fostering interdisciplinary development.