Self Training Techniques for

Interpreters

Dr. Hussein Ali

April 2014
 The Importance of Automation
Assuming conference interpreting is mainly a skill, very
much like one of the more difficult sports, performed
mainly by the interpreter’s brain, it becomes important
to realize that the most difficult exercises can only be
performed by the interpreter if he can draw upon a
solid reserve of automatic reflexes which allow him to
free his mind for those parts of the interpretive process
which need his fullest attention.
Weber, 1998, p. 162
Interpret the following sentence; start with
“‫” ليس المقصود‬

“This book is not intended to

read from cover to cover.”
 How to Practise?

One cannot achieve a high level of competence

in interpreting only by attending classes. That’s
why students have to practise outside class time.

Heine, 2000, p. 214

Practice Tips
Practise Often
Practise in short sessions
Practise skills in isolation
Practise with an aim
Think about your work
Take a break
Don’t force yourself
Start interpreting into
your best language
Work with listeners who need
interpretation
Gradation of speech difficulty
the following classification of difficulty might serve as a general guide:

* narrative speech on a familiar topic

* argumentative speech on familiar topic
* narrative speech on a new topic.
* argumentative speech on a new topic.
* stylistically sophisticated speech on a familiar topic.
* stylistically sophisticated speech on a new topic.
* topic requiring preparation.
* descriptive speech requiring terminological preparation.
* rhetorical speech.
seleskovitch and lederer, 1995, p. 53
Practise in
Isolation
Use speech transcript
Prepare and give speeches
yourself
Background
Knowledge
School books
Research your speaker’s
people
Play who wants to be a
millionaire and similar
games
Language
Training
Copy what you have read
Write to Facebook in
different languages
Read aloud
Total listening
Total reading
Magic bag
Vocabulary ball
How to Prepare
for a
Conference?
Read around your subject
Improvise a speech
Brainstorm
Debate with yourself
Know thy speaker
Work with real
documents