Translation vs Interpreting

Consecutive Interpreting

Meeting 2

Translation

• Transfer message in written form

• Easy access to reference books

• Skills to understand SL (Source Language) and to write well in TL (Target Language)

• Final product is invariably longer

Interpreting

• Transfer message in verbal form

• Interpreter is assumed to know every single word uttered by the speakers

• Skills to transfer meaning of SL and to speak in TL comprehensibly

• Outcome is shorter

Conclusion

An interpreter, therefore, has to be able to translate in both directions (both languages, source and receptor languages) on the spot, WITHOUT using dictionaries or other supplemental reference materials. 

Interpreting Flow

Relay Interpreting Flow

Interpreters' Booth

Conference Interpreting

VIEW FROM INSIDE THE BOOTH

SEMI-FORMAL CONFERENCE INTERPRETING

INFORMAL CONFERENCE INTERPRETING

COURT INTERPRETING

Evaluation Points

• Voice

• Completeness

• Accuracy

• Diction
  

• Pronunciation

• Fluency

Perks of a professional interpreter

• IDR 600,000 per hour (4 hours minimum)

• IDR 4,000,000 for one day working (8 hours, starting from 08.00-16.00)

• IDR 600,000 per additional hour/overtime

• All accommodations are endorsed by the hiring company

Aptitudes for Good Interpreters

• Ability to abstract and paraphrase

• Reaction time

• Memory

• Poise and presentation

• Voice 

• Understanding of and fluency in the source languages

• Quality of the native language

Materials

• Newspaper

• Interview and speech scripts

• Technical publications (papers, reports)

• TV news, talk shows and documentaries

• Recorded interviews and speeches

• Live-meetings, seminars, and conferences

How to Practice

• Read the printed material, stop after one or a few paragraphs and then interpret what have been read without looking at the text.

• Try to interpret the printed material at the same time you are reading it.

• Listen to the TV program and look at the translation text if any.

• Listen to the TV program, cover the subtitles (if any), and interpret the utterances either consecutively or simultaneously.

• Play the real-player files. Interpret them consecutively or simultaneously.