Lecture1: What is interpreting?
Interpreting involves presenting the exact meaning and tone of a speaker's message either simultaneously or consecutively between languages. It bridges cultural gaps between participants and removes language barriers to allow for mutual understanding. Interpreting differs from translation in that interpreters work orally while translators work in writing, and interpreters do not have access to reference materials during interpretation. Interpretation can be done consecutively, with time delays between the spoken message and interpretation, or simultaneously through headphones in a soundproof booth. Good interpreters require linguistic and cultural knowledge as well as interpreting skills, and must adhere to codes of ethics around preparation, impartiality, and self-evaluation.
Lecture1: What is interpreting?
- 2. What is interpreting? “Interpreting consists of presenting in the target language the exact meaning of what is uttered in the source language either simultaneously or consecutively, preserving the tone of the speaker” (Mahmoodzadeh , 1991, p.232).
- 3. What is interpreting? • Interpreting work bridges the “cultural and conceptual gaps” between the participants in an event (Jones, 1998, p.4)
- 4. Communication No language barrier Mutual understanding
- 5. HOW DOES INTERPRETATION DIFFER FROM TRANSLATION? • A translator studies written material in one language and renders it, also in written from, into another language. • An interpreter listens to a spoken message and reproduces it in oral form in another language.
- 6. HOW DOES INTERPRETATION DIFFER FROM TRANSLATION? • Translators can rely on resources such as bilingual and monolingual dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedias, or research with background materials. • Interpreters have no access to these resources in the course of interpreting .
- 7. The process of interpreting Understanding The Input Deciphering Transference C-1 C- 2 Output 1 Output 2
- 8. Consecutive interpretation • The interpreter listens to a speech in one language, takes notes, and then renders it into another language. • The time lapse between the speech and its rendering varies greatly. It usually lasts from anywhere between one to fifteen minutes. In some special occasions, the time lapse may be up to half or one hour.
- 9. Simultaneous interpreting • In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter sits in a sound-proof booth renders the speech into another language while listening to it. • This mode of interpreting is used for meetings with large numbers of participants. • Specialized equipment such as headphones, earphones, microphones, amplifiers are required.
- 10. Whispering interpretation • This can be done as either consecutive or simultaneous interpreting. The only difference is that the interpreter does not interpret for the whole audience in the meeting. • The interpreter sits next to or between those participants who need the interpretation and whispers the interpretation to them or interprets their messages.
- 11. Levels at which interpreters are accredited • Level 1: language aide • Level 2: para-professional interpreter • Level 3: interpreter • Level 4: conference interpreter • Level 5: senior conference interpreter (NAATI)
- 12. ??????????????????????????????? "Interpreting is easy. You just have to know all the words."
- 13. Criteria for a GOOD interpreter • Linguistic and cultural knowledge • Background knowledge • Language and interpreting skills
- 14. Codes of ethics • Before the assignment - be well-prepared - improve one’s linguistic competence - be a clear speaker - train memory - have integrity & dignity
- 15. Codes of ethics • During the assignment - Be strictly punctual - Introduce yourself - Be impartial - Be careful (speaking style) - Take notes - Listen actively &
- 16. Codes of ethics • After the assignment - self-criticism - self-evaluation