Meeting 1

Introduction to Interpreting

What is interpreting?

“Interpreting is the transfer of one spoken or signed language to another.

Suttleworth and Cowie propose that “interpreting is a term used to refer to the
oral translation of a spoken message or text.” Related to the above definition,
Gentile, Ozolins and Vasilakakos (1996) state that interpreting is the oral
transfer of messages between speakers of different languages. Thus, interpreting
is transferring the messages from source language (SL) to target language (TL)
verbally.
Vermeer further states that “Interpreting is the translation of SL text,
uttered only once, normally in oral form, into TL text which is very difficult to
check and can hardly be corrected because of lack of time.” Pochaker adds that
“interpreting is a form of translation in which a first and final rendition in
another language is produced on the basis of a one-time presentation of an
utterance in SL”. From the above definitions it is obvious that interpreting is
presented in oral form and can hardly be checked or revised due to the time
restriction.
In addition, Brislin points out that the process of interpreting involves
three participants. He states that interpreting is one type of translation and it
refers to oral communication situation in which one person speaks in SL, an
interpreter processes the input and produces output in a second language (TL)
and third person listen to the SL version (Brislin, 1976). Furthermore, Weber
(1984) states that “interpreting is the oral transposition of an orally delivered
messages … performed in the presence of the participants.” In other words,
interpreting is conducted in front of the clients or audiences directly.

Interpreting and translation – what’s the difference?

We are often asked about the difference between interpreting and
translation. Although the difference may seem obvious to us, this is a fair
question as both translators and interpreters work with languages and the
process of transferring meanings from one language to another.
In purely concrete terms, however, translators and interpreters work with
different aspects of problem-solving: translators work with written languages,
and interpreters work with spoken languages. Their work has many similarities,
but the fundamental difference is that a translator must produce a written text
that correctly gives the reader the same information as the original document
while also meeting the grammatical and readability requirements of the new
language. An interpreter provides an oral version of the same information
expressed by the speaker in the original language.

Translators
Translators generally receive their material in file format (e.g. a Word
document), type in the translated text and deliver a file back. Translators use
specific glossaries and other relevant reference materials in their work. They can
also use a translation tool, which may be a suitable way of ensuring that the
right terminology is used or that repeated phrases are translated consistently
throughout the text.
It is important that translators are good writers and are able to express
themselves well when writing in the target language. Although many translators
work with more than one language combination, they therefore only work in one
language direction. In other words, they translate from other languages into their
own native language.

Interpreters
Interpreters work directly with their customers. An interpreter can attend
meetings or conferences in person, or can participate by telephone or video.
Examples of common interpreting situations include conferences, where a team
of interpreters works from an interpreter booth to provide interpretation direct
to the participants’ wireless headsets, during doctor’s visits where the doctor and
the patient do not speak the same language, or during study visits where an
interpreter uses whispered interpreting to convey what is being said to one or
more people.
Interpreters therefore need to be able to interpret in both directions in their
language combination. The tools they use are dictionaries or documentation on
the subject, and sometimes also a computer. However, the most important thing
for an interpreter is to prepare well by reading up thoroughly on the relevant
documentation in advance. After all, the actual process of interpreting takes
place in real time and there are only limited opportunities for checking things.

The same goal

Neither interpreting nor translation involves simply replacing a word in
one language with the corresponding word in another language. Obviously, a
good translation or interpretation always reflects intentions, word choices, style
and nuances. Both interpreters and translators must therefore be well versed in
all the variations of the source language in order to reproduce the content in the
best way. This is one thing they have in common. However, the medium is
different. Since the two roles require different skills, most professional
interpreters and translators choose to deal exclusively with one or the other,
although there are some exceptions.
Ultimately, both interpreters and translators work to achieve intercultural
and multilingual communication and understanding: interpreters in spoken
communication and translators in written communication.
Interpreting has traditionally been regarded as a branch of Translation. A
number of authors have provided different definitions of translation as a
conversion process from one language to another, in either the written or the
spoken mode. More specifically, interpreting refers to the translation of the
spoken word and Translation to the translation of the written word.
Interpreting is complex, challenging and rewarding. It is a very demanding
occupation but it can also be fun and exciting. Like any occupation it has pros
and cons, but some of the things interpreters love about the job are the chance
to hear and speak several languages, very varied work, having to think on their
feet, the opportunity to travel and gain an insight into other cultures, working
with different colleagues every day, and being able to help people who otherwise
could not communicate.
Interpreting is an activity that consists of establishing oral or manual
communication between two or more speakers who are not speaking (or signing)
the same language. The role of the interpreter is to help establish direct
communication between the professional (e.g., social worker, healthcare
professional, lawyer) and the person with limited English proficiency (LEP).
For the communication to be truly direct, the interpreter serves strictly as a
communication conduit, always interpreting in the first person. Interpreters
strive to render all messages in their entirety accurately, as faithfully as possible
and to the best of their ability without addition, distortion, omission or
embellishment of the meaning.

Where is interpreting required?

Some common settings and kinds of interpreting work where it is commonly
required are:
Insurance
 Conference calls
 Examinations under oath
 Settlement discussions
 Statements of claim
Legal
 Arbitrations
 Civil trials
 Cross examinations
 Discoveries
 Examinations under oath
 Hearings
 Mediations
 Pre-hearings
 Small claims courts
 Trials
Etc.

Further discussion with regard to setting and modes of interpreting will be

discussed in the Meeting 2 – Interpreting.