Tips on Getting The Most Out of Your Interpreter

Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Interpreter

Proper etiquette can remove the awkwardness arising from interacting with a business partner or an audience who is unfamiliar with the English language. This is especially true for consecutive interpreting, where the interpreter will be in the room with you. In simultaneous interpreting where translations are received via headphones, you may not be able to view the interpreter. Still, these ideas can help you get your message across more effectively and drive productive conversations.

 

Should the interpreter face you or your client?

 

In an ideal scenario, the interpreter should assume a position where he/she can see you and also face your client/audience when he/she speaks. That being said, it is common for the interpreter to sit opposite his/her client (you) while you converse naturally with the other party. This unobtrusive position is the traditional protocol during diplomatic meetings between the heads of state from two different countries.

Placing the interpreter between you and your client is best avoided; your focus must be on your client. You will want to make eye contact with him/her instead of looking toward the interpreter.

 

The focus is to translate the vocabulary, not the body language

 

Interpreters’ job is to engage with your message, not your non-verbal cues. They will make eye contact with your audience or even your client, but beyond that, stick to delivering your message. If you start addressing your interpreter, he/she may not initiate eye-contact with you as a passive signal to remind you to continue addressing your client.

 

It helps to brief the interpreter in advance

 

Most businesses prefer to keep their language easily comprehensible to eliminate mistakes or misunderstandings in translation. But if your dialogue will include many high-level terms or specialized industry jargon, providing the interpreter with a draft copy of the speech/discussion points will help him/her convey your message better.

An alternative is to go with the flow and allow any issue that crops up during your conversation to ‘fix itself’. For instance, your interpreter can keep translating your sophisticated phrases, and your client can – through your interpreter – request you to clarify something that is not clearly evident. The interpreter may also start taking notes when complications set in.

Pare down long chunks of text

 

Line-by-line interpretations consume a lot of time; as a practical measure, consider skimming your content. Time efficiency apart, excessive verbiage can be overwhelming for your client – and after an hour of back and forth – you may start feeling weary. If you are not discussing legality and expect to converse more casually with your client, a condensed version works best.

What do you think of our tips? Have the experience to share? Start a conversation now!

How Does An Interpreter Juggle With Two Languages

How Does An Interpreter Juggle With Two Languages

Have you tried interpreting between two different languages for others? If you haven’t, what do you think of becoming an interpreter?

 

What Does An Interpreter Do

 

The interpreter’s job is to convert messages from one language into another language. A vocation like this is known to be a challenging job as it requires an extreme level of concentration and responsiveness. Being able to speak multiple languages does not qualify someone to be an interpreter. It can take years of experience to be able to adapt to a stressful fast-paced environment and yet do a remarkable job.

 


(Educator: Ewandro Magalhaes, By TED-Ed)

 

How Simultaneous Interpretation Works

Simultaneous interpreting requires one who has extraordinary listening capabilities – to be able to process and
memorize the words that the source speaker is saying. Thereby, an experienced interpreter usually translates
the words into the target language in 5-10 seconds after the speaker says them.

 

Challenges of an Interpreter

 

One key skill of an interpreter lies in the ability to translate on the spot, sometimes without using dictionaries or
other supplemental reference materials. Due to cultural differences, one has to know when the speaker uses local slang and idioms. Jokes and sarcasm are also challenges when a speaker uses them throughout a conversation.  In order to keep the integrity of the message intact, the statement has to be accurately interpreted and transformed instantly for the target audience to understand.

In the above TED-Ed video, the statement was inaccurately translated from the source language into English,
heightening the tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. It could have led to a catastrophic conflict.

The role of a good interpreter is paramount to many conversations and discussions happening in our globalized
world. The challenges of being a good one go beyond just knowing the language. They include an acute appreciation of cultural differences, proficiency with lingos and idioms, and sensitivity to the political climate.