March 30, 2009
Interpretation is Not an Easy Job
I have tried interpretation myself, be it simultaneous or consecutive. It feels as if you are a split person, having the left side working quite differently from the right side of your brains! The ears would listen in 1 language, and the mouth would reproduce the words in another language, almost at the same time.
A good interpretor does not allow for a lag in the speech. He or she will start almost at the same time as the speaker. It is as if the interpretor is the speaker! It takes a lot of knowledge on the topic as well as understandingof the speaker. If the interpretor has worked with the same speaker for some time, he or she will be able to guess what the speaker want to say in the next sentence. This takes a lot of practise, and not to say, much more energy and concentration on the matter.
Why more energy? A good interpretor not only translates verbally the words, he or she would transfer the emotions of the speaker to the audience too!
Not all translators can be interpretors. For translation, you have all the time in the world to slowly “digest” the source and “spit out” the translated words. It is not so for interpretation. Even for consecutive interpretation. You would only have that sentence length of time to process the source and form the correct words.
It is a very challenging job and I did enjoy my experiences as an interpretor. So, for those who would like to try out interpretation, you can start with listening to some audio and translate on the spot. You can record what you have interpreted, so that you can check back on your translation later on.
Have fun!
February 20, 2009
The last thing you wish to happen at an interpretation session..
February 8, 2009
The Two Main Kinds of Interpretation
To follow on the topic of the difference between translation and interpretation, there are several kinds of interpretation in the industry. However, the two main kinds of interpretation are simultaneous and consecutive.
For simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter would have to verbally translate the message that the speaker is saying almost as quickly as how he or she can understand from the source language. This kind of interpretation normally occurs during a seminar or a large event whereby the target audience who needs the interpretation would be using earphones. The interpreter would normally be standing behind a sound-proof booth, so that his voice would not interfere that of the speaker.
In this case, it would be good if the client/speaker can provide reference materials for the interpreter to prepare the topic in advance, in order to also make sure the content is correctly delivered.
Sometimes 2 interpreters is necessary for this kind of job as it calls for much concentration and energy.
As for consecutive interpretation, the interpreter has ample time to digest or take notes of what the speaker is saying, then translate it out after the speaker has finished his sentence(s). This type of interpretation is not as tiring as that of simultaneous one. Of course it would still be good if reference material can also be provided. In this case the interpreter may stand beside the speaker during the seminar, and the audience do not need earphones.
If you know what kind of event your company is having, you can easily define what kind of interpreters you require, so that the interpreters know what to expect.
February 5, 2009
Do You Know the Difference between Translation and Interpretation?
Often, we will get client inquiring for translation service when in fact, they require interpretation service. Then we will spend the next few minutes explaining to them what is the difference between the two terms.
So why people get mix up with the 2 terms? People associate translation as “converting” from one language to another language. So anything to do with language conversion, it will mean translation whether it is for document or verbal. Interestingly, interpretation means oral translation.
I will usually explain to them that if anything that is to do with writing or brochure, it is translation. And if anything that is verbal, it is interpretation. Upon hearing this, our client is more aware of the difference. Hence they can tell their inquiry to us clearly. In this way, we can also tend to their inquiries faster.
This is what we call effective communication and good services to our clients.
So do you know the difference between translation and interpretation now?
