simultaneous_translation

simultaneous_translation

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Simultaneous Translation Tips
2012
Contents
1 Salesian translation and interpretation
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2 What do you physically need?
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3 How a simultaneous interpreter works
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4 Tips for those unaccustomed to this exercise
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5 You also have an educational role towards the speaker!
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5.1 Speak slowly, and. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.2 Beware of your accent. Try to speak in as neutral an accent
as possible, and/or slow down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.3 Check with the interpreters all throughout during the presen-
tation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.4 Speak loudly, clearly, and close to the microphone. . . . . . . 5
5.5 Repeat questions from the audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.6 Remember these guidelines throughout the whole presentation. 5
1 Salesian translation and interpretation
It is good to be upfront about all this. There is quite a dierence between
`translation' and `interpretation'. In many cases, in a Salesian event (chapter,
team visit, other international gathering) there is a combination of transla-
tion (dealing with a written text) and interpretation (where you have no
written text or where the speaker has one but liberally departs from it - as
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is regularly the case if the Rector Major is speaking, since he likes to speak
`o the cu ').
Let's assume people know how to handle `translation'. It is the pure
`interpretation' or combined `translation-interpretation' that need to occupy
us here.
There are three settings, and the technique needs to adapt to each of
them:
a. you have a booth (soundproofed). This is the most helpful circum-
stance, since it keeps distraction to a minimum
b. you are in the crowd, but the speaker pauses for you to inter-
pret/translate (a rare circumstance, since most speakers are unaccustomed
to keeping their material well-punctuated with pauses; they simply go on
and on)
c. whisper-interpretation. No booth but you are detached a little from
the crowd and can interpret in a low voice. This might be the most common
circumstance you encounter.
In ALL cases, you should request the possibility to have visual contact
with the speaker. It makes the world of dierence to your task.
2 What do you physically need?
The essentials are: headphones, microphone, (carafe of water). Avoid
lightweight walkman type headphones like the plague, if that's possible
(I always feel happier with the heavier, early `70s stereo equipment type):
you want to concentrate on the speaker's voice, not yours. The phones
should also have their own volume control for you to adjust: some people
shout, others whisper. And I always insist on being able to see whoever's
talking (through the booth window or on a monitor), so I can see whether
his tongue's in his cheek before I put my foot in it, so to speak.
3 How a simultaneous interpreter works
It is really quite a complex process to actually interpret (meaning not read
from a text but interpret ideas orally), one that only very few interpreters
can handle well. A speaker is speaking, and that speaker does not stop or
pause. He keeps talking. Therefore the interpreter must do the following
while the speaker is talking:
ˆ listen to what the speaker is saying
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ˆ translate it in his mind,
ˆ render the translation in his microphone, and
ˆ (and this is the most dicult part) at the same time listen to what is
being said while he is speaking himself.
This requires a kind of mental miracle, and that is why it is an unusually
demanding and complex activity to carry out, one that requires an unusual
level of concentration, which tires out the interpreter rather soon - which
aects his concentration which, in turn, aects his performance after a while,
and . . . well, you get the picture.
4 Tips for those unaccustomed to this exercise
It actually helps, if you are not practised at this, to try it out with someone
beforehand, maybe a confrere who is happy to give you 15 minutes of practice
in a not-so-embarassing tete-a-tete! Or failing that practice shadowing the
news in, say, English, and then shadowing and/or interpreting the news from
language X by listening to the X station.
Try the following and see if they are helpful:
I n advance familiarize yourself with the topic of the talk
N ote down main points of the talk - it'll help you when interpreting
T ranslate and clarify the meaning of special terms and key words prior
to interpreting
E stablish friendly relations between you and the speaker; if you already
know his speaking style it helps you
R emember to pronounce words distinctly and clearly
P roduce a brief summary at the end of the talk - it helps to clarify
conclusions, deal with questions in the audience
R eact quickly and be ready to work under pressure
E njoy what you are doing ..:-) there won't be a second chance
T ransmit a clear message to the target audience
Worry about meaning, not words (forget literal translation when inter-
preting), and even let the speaker go on a bit before attempting your trans-
lation. You will miss words, but you will be better able to translate ideas.
Inevitably there will be words, sometimes in sequence, you didn't hear
or didn't understand. Talk around them quickly, and don't lose your thread.
Blu. Repeat the last thing you understood in slightly dierent words. Catch
up with the speaker when you can follow him again. Just keep talking and
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remain coherent. He who panics is lost. In general, look out for the points
the guy wants to get across. Keep a steady ow of words, and don't waste
time fumbling for the perfect one. Try to nd a delay that is comfortable
for you.
5 You also have an educational role towards the
speaker!
Don't hesitate to point out (and then remind) people responsible for the
meeting how THEY have to act - it is not all up to you! You could consider
giving everyone the following list - in writing, beforehand. Let them be aware
that you are working your butt o to help them!
5.1 Speak slowly, and. . .
. . . Pause between sentences, and/or after you've made a point.
==> Especially if you are reading your presentation. Interpreters cannot
think up words and appropriate expressions in the target language as fast
as you can pronounce them.
They may need to use more words than you to express the same thing,
especially if you've had time to review and polish your speech, and they are
doing it in a split second. They will need time to catch up with what you
are saying, and can only do so when you pause.
5.2
Beware of your accent. Try to speak in as neutral an
accent as possible, and/or slow down.
==> Whether you are a native speaker of English (or French, or Por-
tuguese. . . ) or not, your interpreters might have diculties if they can't
understand your accent. They may be from a dierent area, or a dierent
English (or other)-speaking country, or they may themselves be non-native
speakers of English (or other).
5.3
Check with the interpreters all throughout during the
presentation.
==> Make sure everything is ne (the speed of your delivery, the sound
system, . . . ) You can
a) look at them in the booth and/or
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b) ask them directly: they hear you! Remember to do so regularly during
the whole presentation.
5.4 Speak loudly, clearly, and close to the microphone.
==> Make sure your interpreters can hear you well. If you don't have a
lapel mike, and move away from the podium, chances are they will not be
able to hear and understand what you are saying, and will not be able to
translate anymore. Often happens at the Pisana, unfortunately!
5.5 Repeat questions from the audience.
==> Interpreters cannot hear the audience, and will not be able to translate
the question to the rest of the non-English speaking audience, or simply
might not be able to understand your answer.
Even if there is a microphone in the audience, it might be dicult for
the interpreters to hear it.
5.6
Remember these guidelines throughout the whole pre-
sentation.
==> Once you are caught in the delivery of your presentation, it is very
natural to not remember these guidelines. Do consider adding ags at regular
intervals in your notes to remind you of them.
(INTERPRETERS?!, or SLOW DOWN! in red in the margin at the
bottom of each note page, for example.)
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