Initiation to

interpretation

Traduction

Sofiane Felfli

23/04/2020
Master1
 Table des
matières
Objectifs 3

Introduction 4

I - prerequisites : 5

II - Chapter 1 interpretation 6

1. Generalities ................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.1. Definition ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

2. Translation and Interpreting ........................................................................................................................ 7

2.1. interpreting ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
2.2. Interprète ou Traducteur ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

III - Chapter 2 10

1. Simultaneous interpretating ...................................................................................................................... 10

2. Consecutive interpretating ........................................................................................................................ 11

3. Whispering .................................................................................................................................................. 12

4. Liaison interpretating : ............................................................................................................................... 12

IV - Conclusion 14
 Objectifs
this course is an introduction to interpretation, it aims to introduce students to the
basics, and the practices of interpretation as well as the difference between
interpretation and translation

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

- Understand the difference between translation and interpretation.

- Identify the different interpretation practices.

- Differentiate the two approaches: the translator and the interpreter.

- Master the use of short memory.

- Take notes correctly in consecutive interpretation, and make a sight translation.

3
 Introduction

In the minds of many people, translation and interpretation are one. Some people find it difficult to
understand that there can be differences between them. In addition, the dictionary is not always of great
help to us in this area, because according to a first definition found on the Internet, the translator is one who
"passes a speech or a text from one language to another" while that the interpreter "translates from one
language into another". Even Le Petit Larousse leaves its readers somewhat perplexed, the translator being
a "person who translates a work from one language into another" and the interpreter being a "person who
translates (orally) the words from one language into a other language ". A priori, therefore, nothing (or
almost) would distinguish translation from interpretation.

4
 prerequisites :

prerequisites :
I
This course is intended for second year Bachelor students in translation having successfully completed
their first year, and having passed the selection exam for the interpretation course.

5
 Chapter 1 interpretation

Chapter 1
interpretation II

Generalities 6
Translation and Interpreting 7

in this chapter we discuss the basic notions of interpretation, such as the difference between
translation and interpretation, as well as the situation of communicative in interpretation

1. Generalities
Definition 6

1.1. Definition

The act of interpreting, explaining a text, giving it meaning; statement giving this explanation.

• Action to attribute a symbolic or allegorical meaning to something: The interpretation of a dream.

• Action or way of interpreting a fact or behavior; meaning given to it: What interpretation do you give to
this about-face?

• Action or way of expressing, playing a part, a role, representing a work: The text is beautiful, but the
interpretation is poor.

• Act by which a performer, a group of performers, or their leader, makes sensitive to the public what
exists only in the virtual state in the written score.

Purpose of interpreting

Interpreting overcomes language barriers to make communication possible. ... Quality interpreting
reflects cultural terms, expressions, and idioms that have bearing on the meaning of the content.
Interpreting must capture any expressions or nuances in meaning to maintain the impact of the original
message.

6
 Translation and Interpreting

Complément : The first interpreter

The first compiler was written by Grace Hopper in 1952 while the Lisp interpreter was written in 1958
by John McCarthy's student Steve Russell. Writing a compiler seems like a much harder problem than
an interpreter. If that is so, why was the first compiler written six years before the first interpreter?

Types of interpreting

Types of interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation. ...

Consecutive interpretation. ...

Liaison and escort interpretation. ...

Whispered interpretation. ...

Sworn interpretation.

2. Translation and Interpreting

interpreting 7
Interprète ou Traducteur 9

2.1. interpreting
Translation is not interpreting

In everyday language, interpreters are often called "translators" and the general public does not
necessarily perceive the differences between these trades. How to distinguish them?

The term "translation" refers to the activity of translating written text from one language to another. The
interpreter's activity takes place orally and in a specific context.

In both cases, it is not a transcoding of words from one language to another, and in both cases, the
intellectual work required presents similarities. However, the interpretation presents some notable
differences with the translation.

2.1.1. Orality

Interpretation is based on oral language, while translation is written. As a result, the interpretation
borrows specific linguistic channels: the speaker's words are spoken, pass by voice and prosody, also
use rhetoric, gestures and intonation

7
2.1.2. Time constraints

The interpretation takes place in real time (simultaneous) or almost real (consecutive). The interpreter
therefore has no physical freedom to use the documentary sources that translators use in their work.
The role of preparation before each mission is therefore all the more essential for the interpreter.

Another time constraint: the intense rhythm imposed on the interpreter to receive information,
understand it, manage it and restore it. A translator can translate 2000 to 3000 words per day, while an
interpreter is required to follow a rhythm of around 150 words per minute ...

2.1.3. The communication situation

In interpretation, the act of communication is immediate, and therefore presupposes interaction

between speakers, delegates and interpreters. Translation, however, always has a lag.

In addition, the work of translators often involves a lengthy one-on-one with the text, while the
interpreters, who work in teams and in a specific meeting, are confronted with individuals who express
themselves and communicate in the moment. .

Interpretation is therefore not a profession of languages, but a profession of information and

communication.

In translation, the translator will therefore deal with written or audio / video documents, but he will not
have to speak. A good mastery of writing is the key element of this profession. He will have to use a
context, to do research according to the theme of his document. He is given more or less short
deadlines but still has time to soak up the document. It is a gymnastics totally different from that of
interpretation. It is therefore very rare that a person has the capacity to be a good translator and a good
interpreter. Fluency in foreign languages ​and the idea of ​translating a message are the only points in
common between these two professions.

8
 Interpreter Vs Tranlator

2.2. Interprète ou Traducteur

Interpreter Vs Tranlator 9

2.2.1. Interpreter Vs Tranlator

In interpretation you have to be very comfortable speaking and know how to express yourself correctly,
which a translator is not necessarily able to do. This job is much more demanding and it is for this
reason that the interpreters, in particular in simultaneous interpretation are two, in order to alternate
speaking (generally every fifteen minutes, see half an hour). You must also be comfortable not only in
your mother tongue, but also have a perfect command of the target language because there is no
margin for error, especially in the case of legal interpretation. It can be very expensive. In interpretation,
you have to be very quick and concise. The message must summarize the main idea expressed by the
person speaking and this, adapted in the language of the person who will receive the message. It is
therefore necessary to have done some research on the person in question beforehand and on the
general context of the conversation.

It is generally after having tested the two trades that you know which one you are most comfortable
with. It is important to try them both, because a translator can prove to be an excellent interpreter
without knowing it. It all depends on his ability to transcribe a message orally, clearly and concisely in a
very limited period of time. Both trades suffer, however, because they are not really recognized.
Anyone can improvise as a translator or interpreter, on the pretext that he speaks two languages, while
these professions obviously require both a certain level of study in order to acquire method, technique
and rigor.

9
 Chapter 2

Chapter 2
III
Simultaneous interpretating 10
Consecutive interpretating 11
Whispering 12
Liaison interpretating : 12

In this chapter we will see the types of interpretation and their practical aspects. Depending on the
environment, the time available, the number of languages and the availability of equipment,
interpretation is done differently. Conference interpretation can be done simultaneously, consecutively
or, more rarely, in whisper.

Cf. "Different types of Interpreting"

Galerie

1. Simultaneous interpretating
The interpreter, seated in a booth, listens to the speaker through headphones and immediately re-
expresses his message in another language on a microphone. The technical installation transmits this
interpretation to the headsets of the listeners.

10
 Consecutive interpretating

Simultaneous interpretation is required in bilingual or multilingual meetings. It has the advantage of not
extending the duration of the work; it encourages more lively discussion and more spontaneity on the
part of the speakers.

• Simultaneous simultaneous use requires great concentration, since the interpreter must both listen
and speak

• analyze the structure and content of what is said to control one's own oral production

• This is why the interpreters take turns about every

30 minutes according to AIIC.

Cf. "Example of Simultaneous Interpreting"

2. Consecutive interpretating
The interpreter, present in the room next to the speaker, follows the speech he is making and restores
it in another language after taking notes.

Speeches of a certain duration can be subdivided into successive fragments, but a duly trained
interpreter can provide interpretation after several minutes.

This mode of interpretation is suitable for scientific or technical communications presented by a single
speaker, or at meetings using only a limited number of languages, since it prolongs the meeting by as
much.

Note taking is an essential part of consecutive interpretation. It consists of symbolizing on a sheet of

paper the logic and structure of speech, in order to support the work of memory, and not to transcribe
the entirety of the words spoken.

Cf. "Example of Consecutive Interpreting"

Consecutive

11
 Whispering

3. Whispering
Whispered interpretation is, so to speak, simultaneous interpretation without a booth. The interpreter,
seated very close to his listeners, performs an interpretation in a low voice in real time. The team
consists of at least two interpreters who work in turn. This technique, testing for the vocal cords, is only
suitable for short meetings.

Whispering is not recommended beyond two people to accompany, or when several interpreters are
called upon to work at the same time in the same room. This could cause a noise that is as unpleasant
for the participants as it is annoying for the interpreters.

Cf. "whispered interpreting"

4. Liaison interpretating :
In this case, the interpreter works in both languages and is responsible for liaising between two people
or two groups of different languages. These are often visits or questions and answers.

Cf. "What is Liaison Interpreting?"

12
 Liaison interpretating :

13
 Conclusion
III
Translation vs Interpretation :

To better understand what brings together and what separates translation and interpretation, let's quickly
analyze the role and function of the interpreter. Like the translator, the interpreter transposes a message
from one language to another. But where the translator - whether freelance or salaried - performs this
operation in writing, the interpreter performs it verbally and live. And therein lies much of the difference. The
translator receives a text and has a certain amount of time to reproduce it in his target language. He can
therefore calmly read his document, study it, carry out the necessary research, return it in the other
language, reread the whole. As long as the deadline imposed on him is not too restrictive, he should in
principle be able to deliver meticulous work, in an appropriate style, with an impeccable vocabulary!

5The interpreter, for his part, has only a few moments to reflect. He must react instantly. Starting from the
same source sentence (written or spoken), there is little chance that the result of the transposition process
will be the same whether it is a written translation or an oral interpretation.

Cf. ""Interpreters should practice their skill every day - like musicians ...""
Cf. "3 hacks To Become A Better Interpreter"

14