Interpretation is the spoken form of translation, and as such, requires different talents to standard linguistic services.
Interpretation is often performed in high-powered places such as, business meetings, courtrooms, political arenas, hospitals, and so on, where accuracy is key to comprehension and a successful outcome.
There are two main types of interpretation that are most frequently used in the industry;
• Simultaneous interpretation occurs when an interpreter sits in a soundproofed booth and translates while the speaker talks. This is used for conferences, in instances that require two or more languages, or where time is of the essence.
• Consecutive interpretation is often used in circumstances that are less formal, such as dinner speeches, or for sensitive negotiations which might require a more personal approach.
As you can see from the two examples above interpreting is fast-paced. It requires accuracy, attention to detail, superb language capabilities, and knowledge.
However, there are other skills that every professional interpreter should possess in order to perform at the top of their field:
1. Language Expertise
This should go without saying, but it is worth pointing out that an interpreter should be completely fluent in both the source and the target language. They should understand grammar rules, colloquialisms, expressions, current contextual events and so on, in order to provide a completely accurate language interpretation.
2. Cultural Consciousness
While different languages can create barriers between people, it is often the cultural differences that generate more complexities and problems. We can often overcome basic language difference but grasping social or ethnic principles can be trickier, and can mean unintentional offence is caused.
Your interpreter should be an expert in the culture tied to both languages in order to fully explain a message from one culture to another. Interpreters must grasp idioms, manners, correct behaviours, and professional protocols in order to accurately convey the message. This usually has to be performed at high speed and with upmost precision.
The interpreter must ensure that the target audience understands and resonates with the speaker. This means that in some instances the whole conversation must be adapted by the interpreter to fit with the target audience. For instance, a political reference in one language might be totally irrelevant in another.
3. Industry Knowledge & Current Affairs
Professional interpreters require exceptional vocabulary and language skills in order to perform their task well, but they also require in-depth industry knowledge and current affairs insight.
As mentioned above interpreters are often used in high-powered situations and these also tend to be within specific fields of expertise such as, law, politics, medicine, and so on. Therefore, interpreters also need to have specialist knowledge which will enable them to perform their task to the best of their ability.
The demands of a courtroom will vary from a hospital emergency room, so interpreters must be aware of protocols for each situation and how to act and interpret accordingly.
4. Super sensory, intellectual and recall talents
Interpreters must infer not only the language of the speaker but also the body language, nuance, tone, and manner in order to give a full interpretation of the speaker.
They must translate words, movements, and context within seconds in order to convey this to the audience accurately.
5. Impartiality
We have already looked at the types of situations that require the services of interpreters, and you would expect many if these to be highly emotionally charged. For instance, an interpreter may be required to interpret evidence in a murder case, or explain to refugees that a family member has passed away. These situations demand emotional and intellectual impartiality from the interpreter in order to enable them to complete their job.
Language is the basis upon which all interpreters work, but professional interpreters’ talents go far beyond basic language skills. They perform their task with accuracy, speed, diligence, knowledge and impartiality in order to give the best service they can.
