InterpretationThe art of interpreting between English and Mandarin Chinese
Interpretation is performed consecutively or simultaneously. In consecutive interpretation, the speaker voluntarily chops the source material into small sentences or thoughts, pausing between and allowing the interpreter to formulate and render the translation. In simultaneous interpreting, the speaker does not concern themselves with the interpreting process and makes no concessions; speaking is done naturally, at the desired pace. It then is the interpreter’s job to listen and translate on-the-fly, translating and rendering the prior sentence or phrase while, at the same time, listening to the current exposition while and preparing for its translation.
Consecutive Interpreting
In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter speaks after the source-language speaker has finished speaking. The source material is divided into segments, and the interpreter sits or stands beside the source-language speaker, listening and taking notes as the speaker progresses through the message. When the speaker pauses or finishes a sentence, the interpreter then translates it in their head and renders it into the target language for the audience. In consecutive interpreting (CI), the speaker is required to pause to allow for the interpretation. Therefore, the length of time for the speaker to convey their message is much longer, typically being doubled, since every sentence must be repeated by the interpreter.
Consecutive interpretation occurs in a pattern of short or long sentences as agreed upon by the speaker and the interpreter, or as mandated by the venue. When using short sentences, the interpreter relies mostly on memory: the phrases are short enough to retain in the interpreters memory and quickly translate for the audience. When using long phrases, most interpreters must jot down parts of the speech and then, when the translation is required, go back to their note-taking to remind them of the sentences that were spoken and their order. Interpreters often use their own method of note-taking, whether it be quick scrawls in their native language (Chinese characters, for instance) or some of the main words that were in the phrases, enough to bring back to mind the prior phrase, or by using another method such as shorthand. It is desirable to have the speaker convey entire thoughts rather than breaking subjects (paragraphs) into small pieces: this allows the interpreter to digest the entire meaning of the material before rendering it in the target language. This affords a better and more accurate translation since the interpreter then understands the speaker’s point and more easily translate it.
The Wikipedia entry on Consecutive Interpreting:
In consecutive interpreting (CI), the speaker is required to pause to allow interpretation. Therefore, the time needed is much greater (possibly double the time needed). Traditionally, the interpreter will sit or stand near the speaker.[6]
Consecutive interpretation can be conducted in a pattern of short or long segments according to the interpreter’s preference. In short CI, the interpreter relies mostly on memory whereas, in long CI, most interpreters will rely on note-taking. Consecutive interpreting of whole thoughts, rather than in small pieces, is desirable so that the interpreter has the whole meaning before rendering it in the target language. This affords a truer, more accurate, and more accessible interpretation than where short CI or simultaneous interpretation is used.
An attempt at consensus about lengths of segments may be reached prior to commencement, depending upon complexity of the subject matter and purpose of the interpretation, though speakers generally face difficulty adjusting to unnatural speech patterns.[citation needed]
On occasion, document sight translation is required of the interpreter during consecutive interpretation work. Sight translation combines interpretation and translation; the interpreter must render the source-language document to the target-language as if it were written in the target language. Sight translation occurs usually, but not exclusively, in judicial and medical work.
Consecutive interpretation may be the chosen mode when bilingual listeners are present who wish to hear both the original and interpreted speech or where, as in a court setting, a record must be kept of both.[citation needed]
When no interpreter is available to interpret directly from source to target, an intermediate interpreter will be inserted in a relay mode, e.g. a Greek source language could be interpreted into English and then from English to another language. This is also commonly known as double-interpretation. Triple-interpretation may even be needed, particularly where rare languages or dialects are involved. Such interpretation can only be effectively conducted using consecutive interpretation.
Simultaneous Interpreting
In simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter translates the message in the target-language as quickly as he or she can formulate it from the source language, while the source-language speaker continuously speaks. There are no pauses. Simultaneous interpretation is used in conferences, large meetings, seminars, etc., where a speaker is addressing a large audience of listeners, each of whom require the speech to be interpreted into their own language. In the ideal setting, the interpreters sit in sound-proof booths and speak into a microphone, while clearly seeing and hearing the source-language speaker via earphones. The listeners will themselves typically have headphones on in order to hear the translated sentences. Simultaneous interpreting is extremely vigorous and taxing and requires a great deal of concentration, so much so that it’s usually done in teams of two or more interpreters who each work for 10-30 minutes and take turns, one working while the remaining team members are resting. Simultaneous interpreting (SI) is perhaps the most difficult form of translation and often requires several years of practice in order to become proficient.
The Wikipedia entry on Simultaneous Interpreting:
Simultaneous interpreter’s station (Televic Conference) at the European Court of Justice
Simultaneous interpretation (SI) suffers the disadvantage that the interpreter must do the best he or she can within the time permitted by the pace of source speech and the advantages of time-saving and not disturbing the natural flow of the speaker. The most common form is extempore SI, where the interpreter does not know the message until he or she hears it.
Simultaneous interpretation using electronic equipment where the interpreter can hear the speaker’s voice as well as the interpreter’s own voice was introduced in the Nuremberg trials in 1945. As it proved successful, IBM was able to sell the equipment developed to the United Nations.
In the ideal setting for oral language, the interpreter sits in a sound-proof booth and speaks into a microphone, while clearly seeing and hearing the source-language speaker via earphones. The simultaneous interpretation is rendered to the target-language listeners via their earphones.
The first introduction and employment of extempore simultaneous interpretation using electronic equipment that could facilitate large numbers of listeners was the Nuremberg Trials of 1945–1946, with four official working languages. The technology arose in the 1920s and 1930s when American businessman Edward Filene and British engineer Alan Gordon Finlay developed simultaneous interpretation equipment with IBM.[5]