Phien dich thuong mai

BANKING UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY
FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

A HANDBOOK OF
CONSECUTIVE

COMPILED AND ADAPTED BY NGUYEN QUANG NHAT
HO CHI MINH CITY, 01/2016


Over recent decades the explosive growth of globalization and regional integration
has fueled parallel growth in multilingual interactions, leading to the fact that
interpretation as a profession requires a comprehensive training process. Therefore,
this skill-based manual is compiled to provide a structured syllabus of consecutive
interpretation developed for classrooms in English Department, Banking University
of HCMC. The materials presented here borrow heavily from Nolan's
Interpretation: Techniques and Exercises and Hồ Văn Hiệp’s Interpretation
Practice (Banking – Finance – Economics) to illustrate various aspects of
interpretation in international interactions, covering an extensive range of
theoretical aspects and supplementary exercises with Business, Banking and
Finance resources winning heavier priority. The audio files are adapted from
different sources to serve pedagogical and nonprofit purposes with careful citation
and acknowledgements. All of them are meant to help coursetakers gain an insight
into interpreter training programs, particularly those who might choose
interpretation as their career or participate in international and business settings.
Hopefully, through a combination of theories and steady practice, learners upon
their course completion are able to adopt different strategies effectively, and thus
enhance their interpretation skills significantly.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I: THEORIES AND DEMONSTRATED TASKS

4

CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW

5

I.

Definition ................................................................................................................ 5

II.

Historical background ............................................................................................. 6

III. Interpretation vs. Translation .................................................................................. 9
IV. Codes of ethics ...................................................................................................... 10
V.

Criteria for a good interpreter ............................................................................... 13

VI. Types of interpretation .......................................................................................... 14
VII. Modes of interpretation ......................................................................................... 17
CHAPTER 2: PREPARATIONS AND LISTENING COMPREHESION

21

I.

Preparations .......................................................................................................... 21

II.

The process of interpretation ................................................................................ 23

III. Techniques of listening comprehension in interpreting training .......................... 24
CHAPTER 3: NOTE-TAKING AND MEMORY TRAINING

41

I.

Note-taking in consecutive interpretation ............................................................. 41

II.

Memory training ................................................................................................... 52

CHAPTER 4: SPEAKING SKILL

56

I.

Turn-taking ........................................................................................................... 56

II.

Timing ................................................................................................................... 57

III. Voice delivery ....................................................................................................... 61
IV. Pitches and intonation ........................................................................................... 62
V.

Suggestions for voice training .............................................................................. 66

CHAPTER 5: RE-EXPRESSION SKILL

70

I.

Key message analysis ........................................................................................... 71

II.

Re-expression skill at lexical level ....................................................................... 75

III. Re-expression skill at syntactic level .................................................................... 85
2


CHAPTER 6: CULTURAL AWARENESS

96

I.

Misunderstanding vs. misinterpretation................................................................ 96

II.

Elements of cultural-specific terms ...................................................................... 97

III. Problematic issues with cultural awareness in interpretation: ............................ 103
CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILL

114

I.

Objective of the presentation .............................................................................. 114

II.

Presenters and their speaking styles ................................................................... 115

III. Audience and their expectations ......................................................................... 116
IV. The presentation environment ............................................................................ 116
V.

Stage performance .............................................................................................. 117

VI. Coping tactics ..................................................................................................... 118
VII. Handling question and answer sessions .............................................................. 120
VIII. Overcoming public speaking anxiety ................................................................. 122

IX. Practice ................................................................................................................ 122
PART 2: FURTHER PRACTICE

125

REFERENCES

Error!

3


PART I: THEORIES AND
DEMONSTRATED TASKS

4


CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
I.
-

Definition

Interpretation occurs during cross-cultural communication when two parties do not
share the same language. Its usefulness stems from the fact that a speaker’s
meaning is not only best expressed in his or her native tongue but also is best
understood in the languages of the listeners.

-

(Nolan, 2005, p.13)

Interpreting is the rendering of an orally delivered message from a source language
to a target language. Its aim is to bridge the language and cultural barriers in the
intercultural communication.

-

(Wikipedia)

To interpret is to communicate interculturally with the message sender and the
message receiver whose languages and cultures are unknown to each other.
(Ren Wen, 2013, p.6)
Task 1: Choose the correct answers.

1. A university qualification or degree is a prerequisite to this career as an interpreter.
A. True

B. False

2. When working, interpreters cannot afford to have a bad day.
A. True

B. False

3. Interpretation can be conducted via telephone in business contexts, in medical
examinations and in court trials.
A. True

B. False

4. Trained interpreters help to bridge the communication gap which is made up of
cultural knowledge, power and information as well as language.
A. True

B. False

5. Interpreters should be treated as a professional.
A. True

B. False

6. Interpreters just need to practice listening and speaking only.
A. True

B. False

7. If a speaker cannot speak or hear anything, there is no need for an interpreter since
this is an oral activity.
A. True

B. False

5


II.

Historical background

Interpretation has existed since people used the spoken language. The oldest
reference dated back from the Ancient Egypt when an epitaph from the 3rd century B.C.
was found referring to a “headman interpreter”. Some documents showed that interpreters
provided their services in administrations, trades, religious activities, and in the armed
forces of Egypt. Likewise, in the Ancient Greeks and Romans interpreters were needed
because very few Romans and Greeks learned the languages of the peoples they had
conquered. Thus, the use of interpreters carried a political dimension in order to
demonstrate Roman superiority; their roles were not respected as most of them were
slaves or prisoners. In some cases, interpreters might suffer bad endings after their
assignments. The Roman Emperor Caracalla, for instance, slaughtered his interpreters
after every allied agreement was signed.
In Medieval Times, this profession was highly valued as interpreters were members
of the courts. Besides their role in international negotiations, interpreters were also
necessay for the spread of Christianity and trade expeditions. They were employed in
monasteries staffed by monks of different nationalities, and accompanied missionaries to
faraway lands. Attempts were made to come up with universal languages without success,
and interpretation remained the only effective communication method between people of
different tongues.
The era of great discoveries overseas and expansions worldwide in the 14th-16th
century were other heydays for this profession. Many empires employed the services of
captured natives or those who had been taken prisoners and later released by the natives
whose languages had been learnt during the imprisonment. These interpreters were
essential for developing trade relations between the colonists and the natives. For example,
Canada had its resident interpreters from the French natives who had settled with the
Hurons/Iroqueans.
During the 16th-19th century, things took a similar course upon the exploration of
the Asian continent. To facilitate communication with Chinese officials and intellectuals,
the missionaries exploited the effectiveness of interpreters. The 17th century saw one
Greek interpreter embark on an astonishing career – Constantin Phaulcon, who after

having started off as a ship’s boy, learnt English, French, Portuguese, and Siamese, joined
the East-Indian Company where he quickly advanced to the highest rank, and ended up as
Prime Minister at the court of the King of Siam. In Europe, whereas French was the lingua
6


franca of the diplomatic world due to its political power, many countries started
employing interpreters in their contacts with other countries to show their independence
and army power. As a result, professional interpreter training institutes came into being.
Constantinople, for example, set up the Dragoman School while in Vienna Empress Maria
Theresia founded the Oriental, and both of these schools are still in existence today.
In the 20th century, interpreters continued to be used by missionaries and
tradesmen, while diplomats up to WW I mainly relied on French. At the Paris Peace
Conference followed WW1, negotiators requested the use of other languages and ended up
employing the services of consecutive interpreters. The time between the two World Wars
saw the speedy development of international institutions with a lot of high-level
international meetings, thus multiplying the need for interpreting services. At first
consecutive interpretation was chosen; however, this method took too long and extended
meetings unbearably. Soon efforts were made to develop a new approach that would be
less time-consuming and more advantageous for everyone involved - simultaneous
interpretation. This approach was developed almost at the same time both in the US and in
the Soviet Union, providing a direct connection between speakers and interpreters who in
turn translate simultaneously to the audience. At first, it was not popular with those who
feared being condemned to demeaning tasks with a complicated system of cables,
microphones, and headsets, repeating word by word without anytime to render elegantly.
Later on, this new method proved indispensable since it not only cut the time considerably
but also reatly improved the quality and accuracy of the message significantly. That was
the triumph of simultaneous interpretation over consecutive which by now is limited to
special occasions such as dinner speeches when no interpreting systems are available or
can be installed.

Machine translation was introduced in 1990s. Though it is quite efficient, this
method can never really understand language in all its nuances and subtle variations such
as the underlying cultures, traditions and social conventions, the characteristics and moods
of the speakers, or their implicit intentions, etc. Only human brains are fit enough to fully
grasp the multi-faceted manifestations of these characteristics in the respective context and
render them correctly. In short, machine translation is now a useful assistant but cannot
replace a human interpreter.
( />
7


Task 2: Read the text and choose the correct information for each picture.
1. the oldest reference to interpreters

4. the humiliating position of interpreters

2. interpreters and the spread of Christianity

5. captured natives as interpreters

3. the introduction of simultaneous interpretation 6. first interpreter training schools

(A) …………………………………

(B)…………………………………..

(C)…………………………………

(D)…………………………………..

(E)……………………………………..

(F)…………………………………..

8


III.

Interpretation vs. Translation
Translation

Interpretation

1. A translator studies written material in 1. An interpreter listens to a spoken message
the source language and reproduces it in in the source language and renders it orally in
written form in the target language.

the target language.

2. A translator relies mainly on thorough 2. An interpreter relies mainly on the ability
research with background materials and to get the gist of the message across to the
dictionaries to produce the most accurate target audience on the spot.
and readable written translation possible.
3. A translator is usually held to a higher 3. An interpreter has to convey the essence of
standard of accuracy and completeness.

the message immediately and satisfactorily.

4. Translator’s activity is more like that 4. Interpreter’s activity is more like that of an

of a writer.
5. A

translator

actor or a speaker.
spends

much

time 5. An interpreter must immediately come up

searching for the correct technical term or with a satisfactory paraphrase in order not to
the right choice of words.

keep the audience waiting.

Task 3: Each word below depicts a characteristic of translation or interpretation.
Put them into the correct column.
fluency, write, dictionaries, speak, real-time, note-taking, target language only,
business meeting, delayed,verbal, accuracy, highly aesthetic and elegant, time
pressure, headset and lavalier, legal contract, on-the-spot

……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………

……………………………
……………………………

……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
……………………………
9


IV.

Codes of ethics

1. Accuracy and completeness: Interpreters select the language
that most accurately conveys the content and spirit of the clients’
message. Interpreters shall not alter, make additions to, or omit
anything from their assigned work. All hedges, false starts and repetitions should be
conveyed; also, English words mixed into the other language should be retained, as should
culturally-bound terms which have no direct equivalent in both languages, or which may
have more than one meaning. The register, style and tone of the source language should
also be conserved. Interpreters who do not hear or understand what a speaker has said
should seek clarifications and errors should be corrected as soon as possible.
2. Confidentiality: Interpreters shall respect their clients’ right to privacy and
confidentiality in the course of interpretation. Privileged or confidential information

acquired in the course of interpreting shall not be disclosed by the interpreters without
authorization.
3. Impartiality of non-egotism: Interpreter shall be impartial and unbiased, maintain
professional detachment and refrain from inappropriate self-promotion.
4. No conflict of interest: Interpreter shall disclose any real or perceived conflict of
interest.
5. Professional development: Interpreters shall maintain and improve his/her skills
and knowledge through professional training/education and interactions with colleagues
and specialists in related fields. Interpreters will refrain from accepting assignments
beyond their professional skills, language fluency, or level of training.

Let us go forth and interpret accurately,
confidentially, completely, with integrity and
professionalism.

10


Task 4: Have a look at these situations and state what code of ethics is violated.

1. After her appointment, a patient's husband asks the interpreter what
the doctor said to his wife. Trying to be helpful, the interpreter discloses
the happy news that the patient is pregnant. This is not happy news to the
husband, as his wife has just arrived from their home country, after being
apart from him for 6 months. The couple leaves the clinic with the
husband angrily muttering thinly veiled threats of violence.

……………………………………….

An English doctor gives a non-Englishspeaking patient a prescription, explaining that it is

for some suppositories. The interpreter is too
embarrassed to admit that he does not know the
equivalent word for "suppository" in the patient’s
language, so he uses an equivalent word for "pill"
instead. The patient takes the medication orally and
ends up in the emergency room.
………………………………..

3.

The doctor asks the patient a question. The interpreter

and the patient get into a long discussion, while the doctor sits
and waits, completely left out. Finally the interpreter turns to
the doctor and says "She said no." When the doctor asks exactly
what the patient said, the interpreter smiles and says, "Oh, it
wasn’t important. She just means no."
……………………………………..

11


Task 5: Have a look at these situations and state what code of ethics should be
taken into consideration. Give solution to each case with appropriate responses.
a. Your boss asked you to assist as an interpreter in a business meeting. The client
brought an untrained interpreter and no longer required your service. Before long you
realized that the untrained interpreter had made major linguistic errors, omitted crucial
information and added unnecessary information during the encounter. If these errors were
not addressed, the outcomes mght be detrimental. What would you do?
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

b. While interpreting in an interview between a police officer and a witness, the officer
asks you to have a small talk with the witness to see whether he is telling the truth and
give the officer all information about the witness’s background. How should you reply?
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………
.………………………………………………………………………………………………

12


V.

Criteria for a good interpreter

1. Linguistic competence
Specifically, it includes:
-

At least a bilingual with language fluency in source and target languages

-

Proficiency in listening, note-taking, and speaking skills

-

A mastery of vocabulary and specialized terminology

2. Knowledge competence
It includes:
-

Subject/Domain knowledge

-

Contextual/Situational knowledge

-

Cultural knowledge

Knowledge competence is a goal towards which a conscientious interpreter should
work untiringly. Interpreters have to acquire some fundamental knowledge in multifarious
fields with which he deals, and the level of that knowledge must be adequate for
understanding. The greater the interpreter’s knowledge is, the more readily understanding
occurs, and the more accurate and intelligible the outputs in the target language are.

3. Interpreting skills
-

Memorization skill: is of high importance for an interpreter to accurately absorb

and retain a series of ideas in different environments and distractions.
-

Public speaking skill: includes professional appearance, appropriate stage

behaviors/body language, coping-tactic skill, etc.
-

Re-expression skill: enables interpreters to express ideas as they would normally be

expressed by a good speaker in the target language.

Task 6: List 7 requirements for a business conference interpreter.
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

13


VI.

Types of interpretation

Interpretation
Consecutive

Conference

Liaison
(Dialogue)

Simultaneous
Conference

Whispered

Sign
Language

Sight

Relay

A. CONFERENCE CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION

A conference consecutive interpreter listens to the speaker,
takes notes, and then reproduces the speech in the target
language. This type of interpreting requires good memory,
professional

public-speaking

skill,

a

high

level

of

comprehension of the source language and fluency of
expression in the target language. Therefore, it can only be
carried out for a certain number of hours. Several interpreters
will be needed to take turns for long speeches or when various
speakers are taking part. It is efficient at meetings with small
number

of

audiences

such

as

workshops,

seminars,

presentations, as well as in situations when technical facilities for simultaneous
interpretation are unavailable.

B. LIAISON CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION

This is a common form of interpretation and takes place in a range of different
situations such as talks between Heads of State, doctors and patients, tour guide and
tourists, foreign investors and Vietnamese partners, bank managers and clients, etc.
In such situaitons, a liaison interpreter acts as an intermediary between two parties,
translating what each one says into the other's
language. This can be done after a short speech
or sentence-by-sentence without any notes or
equipment. Therefore, interpreters need the
ability to speak both languages with a degree of
fluency, and it is best suited for very small
groups of 4-5 people.
14


C. CONFERENCE SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION

A conference simultaneous interpreter normally
works in teams of two, sitting in a soundproof booth,
listening to the speaker through earphones and speaking into
a microphone, reproducing the speech in the target language
as it is being delivered in the source language at the same time. They take turns in shifts of
about 30 minutes each for a maximum of about 3 hours at a time, which has been found to
be the maximum average time during which the necessary concentration and accuracy can
be sustained. It is most effective for large meetings and conferences, requiring specialized
equipment such as microphones for interpreters and individual headsets for listeners.
D. WHISPERED INTERPRETATION/CHUCHOTAGE

Interpreters sit next to their listeners and simultaneously

whisper the interpretation. This kind is suitable for small
events where only one or two people do not understand the
language spoken. It is not practical for events with multiple
languages or more than two listeners in need of interpreting, because interpreters would
then have to speak louder, which would disturb both the speakers and other listeners.
E. SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION

This type is developed for people with hearing disability
when an interpreter converts spoken language into sign language
using hand gestures. It takes place between a normal person and
a hearing impaired individual, or even between 2 deaf people
since there are many signed languages all over the world. For example, American Signed
Language (ASL) is different from British Sign Language (BSL), although both countries
have English as the first language. The practitioners of these languages might not be able
to understand each other, thus an interpreter comes in handy.
F. SIGHT INTERPRETATION

This is the reading of a text by an interpreter from the
source language into the target language simultaneously. It is the
most commonly used form in such environments as courtrooms,
when an interpreter is needed to read a witness’s statement or a
court ruling.

15


G. RELAY INTERPRETATION

Relay interpretation is used when there are
several target languages at an event, or when no

interpreter can be found for a certain language
combination. Hence, s source-language interpreter
renders the message into a shared language or a
lingua franca, and then each interpreter transfers the message to their respective target
languages. For example, in a UN conference, when one speaker talks, the first interpreter
renders the message in English to every interpreter in the room, and then they proceed to
render it to their target language groups in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Cambodian etc.

Task 7: Match the definitions and their relevant type of interpretation.
1. The interpreter speaks after the speaker has finished. The speech is
divided into segments, and the interpreter sits or stands beside the
speaker, listening and takes notes.
2. The interpreter sits or stands next to the client, interpreting with
low voice.
3. An interpreter transfers the message to a shared language, and then
other interpreters render the message to their respective target
languages.

A. Simultaneous
B. Consecutive
C. Liaison
D. Relay

4. It involves relaying what is spoken to one, between two, or among

E. Whispered

many people. This can be done after a short speech, or
consecutively, sentence-by-sentence.
5. The interpreter renders the message as quickly as he or she can

from the source language, sitting in a sound-proof booth, speaks
into a microphone, while clearly seeing and hearing speaker via
earphones while the speaker continuously speaks
Answer: ……………………………………………………………………………

16


VII.

Modes of interpretation

1. Classification based on the spatial modes of working
Interpretation
Live
Consecutive

Remote
Simultaneous

Telephone

TV

Internet

Live/On-site interpretation: requires interpreters to be physically present on the
spot.
Remote telephone interpretation: enables interpreters to deliver interpretation via
telephone. Interpreters can also involve in a conference call such as court trials.

Video/TV/Internet

interpretation:

includes

services

via

Video

Remote

Interpreting (VRI), Video Relay Service (VRS) or Internet. They are useful when one of
the parties is deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired.
2. Classification based on settings
Mode

Places

Techniques

Requirements besides basic
interpreting skills

Forum/
Seminar

Conferences/Internet

Consecutive
Simultaneous

Facilitating and moderating skills

Judicial

Courts or
Administrative
tribunals

Consecutive
Simultaneous

Knowledge of law and court
procedures
Authorization from the
government

In fields as sporting
events, tours, social
services, education,
etc.

Simultaneous
Liaison

Professional knowledge

Medical

Hospital,
Fields about health

Liaison

Media

Live coverage
Live or taped
interviews

Simultaneous

Public

17

Medical knowledge
Technical knowledge in the
control room


Task 8: State what type of interpretation is usually adopted in each situation.
1. At the Miss World Beauty Contest

………………………………

2. When 2 parties are signing a contract

………………………………

3. At the EU conference

………………………………

4. In a weather forecast

………………………………

Task 9: Use the Sight Interpretation to translate the following texts.
1. Ở Mĩ, chứng khoán bắt đầu rớt giá kể từ tháng 4 do những quan ngại về khả năng phục
hồi kinh tế. Theo báo cáo của một nhóm nghiên cứu đầu tuần này, niềm tin tiêu dùng
đã sụt giảm sau 3 tháng tăng. Đơn xin trợ cấp thất nghiệp mới tiếp tục gia tăng. Tuy
nhiên, chuyên gia về việc làm John Challenger nói rằng các kết quả nghiên cứu của
ông cho thấy khủng hoảng kép sẽ không xảy ra với thị trường việc làm trong nước.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………
2. Ba mươi năm trước, cứ mỗi một đô la mà nam giới kiếm được thì phụ nữ kiếm được
62 xu. Ngày nay, nữ giới kiếm được khoảng 80% mức lương của đàn ơng. Ngồi ra,
phụ nữ nắm giữ 51% các cơng việc chun mơn và quản lí có mức lương hậu hĩnh.
Tuy nhiên, một nghiên cứu hôm thứ Năm vừa qua cho biết chín trong mười vị trí hàng
đầu tại bốn trăm công ty lớn nhất ở California vẫn thuộc về cánh mày râu.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………

18


3. A corporation is the most complex kind of business organization.
Corporations can sell stock as a way to raise money. Stock represents
shares of ownership in a company. Investors who buy stocks in trade their
shares or keep them as long as the company is in business. A company might use some
of its earnings to pay dividends as a reward to shareholders or the company might
reinvest the money back into the business. If shares lose value, investors can lose all of
the money they pay for stocks, but shareholders are not responsible for the debt of the
corporation.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Germany, the Europe largest economy, has been pushing for economic reform in the
17 countries using the EUR. But German chancellor Angela Markel has argued that
whole country is unwilling to put money at risk unless banking reform is inactive
throughout the Euro zone. She warned this week that Germany economic power was
not unlimited. Earlier this month, European Commission proposed steps to a common
banking policy. The proposals include empowering nations to intervene when their
banks are in trouble. But proposed changes may also bar support for failing banks.
……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
()

19


Task 10: Listen to the recording 2 TIMES and translate them into English.
1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...……………………………………………………………………………………
3. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...……………………………………………………………………………………
4. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...……………………………………………………………………………………
5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...…………………………………………………………………………………….
6. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...……………………………………………………………………………………
7. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...……………………………………………………………………………………
8. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...……………………………………………………………………………………
9. ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……...……………………………………………………………………………………
10. ……………………………………………………………………….…………………

……...……………………………………………………………………………………
(Hồ Văn Hiệp. (2009). Interpretation Practice (Banking–Finance– Economics, p.38)

20


CHAPTER 2: PREPARATIONS AND LISTENING COMPREHESION
I.

Preparations

On the outset, good performance in interpretation requires sustained mental
alertness. In other words, interpreters must maintain attention and concentration through
many hours and absorb the contents of lengthy discussions on many subjects. Therefore,
interpreters are required to get enough sleep as well as follow good habits of nutrition and
daily exercise.
Once having an assignment, professional interpreters should get information about:
 Clients: A direct person-to-person contact with the clients is advisable since it can
minimize the distance between participants and the interpreters.
 Reports or talks from previous meetings: They help interpreters gain insight into
areas under discussions, procedural information and how to cohort talks.
 Agenda: Knowing the specific themes of a conference in advance and obtaining a
copy of the agenda, list of speakers, or any prepared speeches available can also be
very helpful. Therefore, interpreters might have some ideas on how the meeting is
organized, what the schedules are and when to get on stage.
 Background materials: Information on the purpose of the meeting, vocabulary, new
notions, and new concepts help interpreters put things in context and construct mind
maps that will inform their work. Power points or slideshows by all means must also
be available at leats 2 days before the performance. Many speakers prepare their
speeches well in advance of delivery and will gladly send a copy to their interpreters.

 A pre-meeting briefing/Q&A session: Rehearsals are essential since careful
observation of speakers’ gestures and demeanor will provide additional clues to the
intent behind the words. Despite those aforementioned preparations, every speech still
has its surprises. For example, a speaker may change his or her mind at the last minute,
amend prepared remarks, or say something quite unexpected. Moreover, even an
experienced interpreter can be caught off guard by a novel idea, an unusual turn of
phrase, a spur-of-the-moment argument, an impenetrable accent, a mispronounced key
word, poor sound quality, an obscure reference, etc. Thus, this step is by far necessary
in helping intrepreters anticipate what the speaker is likely to
say, how it can be made comprehensible to the audience, and
what can be done if unexpected problems arise.
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BASIC STEPS IN AN INTERPRETING ASSIGNMENT
PERSONAL BEHAVIORS

LINGUISTIC
PERFORMANCE

l) Good health
2) Well-presented appearance
BEFORE
Interpreting
assignment

3) Punctuality

l) Briefing on the subject

4) Agenda and guidelines

2) Preparation of terminology

5) Device checking (Power plugs,

3) Clarification of the vague

Microphone, Headphones, notes, …)

meanings in phrases,

6) Booth checking (Cabinet seating)

sentences…

7) Slides, hand-outs, …
8) Voice acquaintance
DURING

1) Complete impartiality

Interpreting

2) Notes if necessary

assignment

3) Integrity

Interpreting
Assignment

2) Linguistic skills
3) Memorization
4) Social-pragmatic competency

4) Dignity
AFTER

1) Concentration

5) Soft skill

1) Feedback

1) Self-evaluation

2) No personal involvement

2) Re-read notes (if any)

3) Confidentiality

3) Self-improvements

( />
Task 1: You are going to interpret for an American expert in a cosmetics launching
product seminar. List 5 things you might have to ask him for a thorough preparation.
……………………………………………………………...

...............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
...............................................................................................
...............................................................................................

22


II.

The process of interpretation

Wei HeZhong cited in “Memory Training in Interpreting” that Daniel Gile (1992,
1995, p.5) viewed consecutive interpreting as a process consisting of two separable
phases. The first phase is listening during which an interpreter listens to the source
language speech and takes notes; the second phase is reproducing a target-language speech
from memory and from notes.

a.

Phase One - Listening Phase:

CI = L (listening) + M (short-term memory) + N (note-taking)
In this phase, interpreters are required to listen attentively and actively to the
original speech, then the short-term memory is used to store the messages and put them in
memory and/or in notes. 2 fundamental skills required in this phase include listening and
note-taking skills.
b.

Phase Two - Reformulation Phase:

CI = R (remember) + R (read the notes) + P (produce in the target language)
In the second phase, interpreters retrieve messages from their memory as well as
from the notes accurately, and produce the speech in the target language effectively.
Thus, interpreters and learners are recommended to practice 5 fundamental skills
intensively and extensively for a satisfactory interpreting performance:
1. Listening skill
2. Note-taking skill
3. Speaking skill
4. Re-expression skill
5. Public speaking skill

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III.

Techniques of listening comprehension in interpreting training
There are 9 techniques of listening comprehension for interpreting practice. An

interpreter must train his / her listening skill up to technique 9 because the duty is to
reconstruct the WHOLE message. Minimum requirement is to complete technique 5.
1. Listen to sentence stresses
Sentence stress is the way a speaker highlights certain words in each sentence. It
provides interpreters some clues to listen to important parts of the sentences, focus on
important messgaes and understand the speaker’s meaning, especially in professional
topics with difficult terminologies and new concepts.
Most sentences have two basic types of word:
a. Content words are the key words of a sentence, carrying the meaning or the real
content.

b. Structure words are less important words which make a sentence grammatically
correct.
The basic rules of sentence stress are:
-

Content words are stressed. They are usually nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

-

Structure words are unstressed

-

The time between stressed words is always the same
Knowing which words to stress depends on the meaning, the context and the shared

knowledge between interpreters and the speakers.
E.g.: I never said she stole my money. => In different contexts, some words will be
more prominent than others and one will be the most prominent, depending on what a
speaker means.

24