Interpreters… Don’t you love them?! Well, you do, if everything goes smoothly. At the end of the day, they help us communicate with someone we can’t talk to directly. This someone can be our business contact, our client, our patient or even our distant relative!
What makes a good consecutive interpreter? Proficient interpreters don’t just speak the languages they interpret from and into. They start each job well-prepared. It is vital to gather any background information you can, to have an idea about the project you are about to get involved in. If presentations are to be given, it’s great if you can read them beforehand. You can familiarise yourself with any specific terminology, names and research any acronyms used.
While there is an argument whether it is an absolute must for an interpreter to have good looks (at least, some Russian clients expect this and on some occasions prefer to use a female interpreter which they point out when they ask for one), I believe, every interpreter should be presentable. Needless to say, when you work for a client, you represent that client. If an interpreter is required for a corporate event, it’s always good to check the dress code too not to stand out from the crowd.
Having your own badge with your name on is something else which wouldn’t go amiss. Event organisers will often provide you with one, but if they don’t, it’s good to have your own – that way everyone is aware of who is who.
It is absolutely vital to have a notepad handy. Not so much to look up any terminology you’ve written out, but to take notes. Depending on the speed of the speakers you are interpreting, you may need to jot down the main points to avoid memory blanks. Do use a pencil as pens often fail. Pencils hardly ever do, unless you break them!
If there is something you’ve missed or didn’t quite get, do not hesitate to ask the speaker to repeat. Asking them to clarify a point can only help them get the right message across.
Do keep eye contact with the speakers, if you don’t, it may look odd or even rude.
Do interpret in the first person, starting a sentence with: “She says that…” is against the rules. Interpret as if you were the person you are talking for.
As a Russian interpreter myself who worked with other Russian interpreters, I do think it’s important to have a glass of water by your side. Interpreters speak double the amount of time as they have to interpret both parties. And if there is lunch or dinner where your services are requested, do not be surprised if you leave the table half-hungry. With so much talking going on, you may have an opportunity to have just a few bites, and drinking much alcohol is, of course, a no-no!
Confidence is vital in every profession. If you look confident, you look right, you know what you are doing. It’s good to be a bit nervous, interpreting is in no way a relaxing activity. It helps when you have bags of experience behind you, but biting more than you can chew is never recommended!
I have also published a guide on commissioning interpreting services for those who are looking for professional Russian interpreters on our website here:
http://www.talkrussian.com/russianinterpreting.htm
Yelena McCafferty, Talk Russian Translation and Interpreting
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it is a wonderful idea to share one another’s professional experience. Especially that the list of the tips for interpreters could be endless, and each one of us has their own unique experience. Also the longer you work in this field, the more you realise the truth behind the saying: “Live and learn!”
My most recent experience prompted me to share with my colleagues some of the “don’ts” I was reminded of while interpreting at a formal business presentation:
1) While interpreting, don’t use anyone elses’s notes (presenter’s hand-out) which you haven’t had a chance to see beforehand – they will only distract you from listening to the speaker – at the moment when concentration and memory should be mobilised to the maximum. Make your own notes instead!
2) Don’t be scared to look “unprofessional”: if you need to interrupt the speaker who is making very long sentences or carrying on speaking without pauses – do so! The interpreter’s duty is to ensure a two-way communication, i.e. to protect the listeners’ interests as well as the speaker’s (not forgetting his/her own!)
3) And last but not least: don’t ignore the lunch break if there is one. Or if there isn’t, then it might be a good idea to snack on chocolate buttons or fruit pastilles which are always useful to have in your bag (sorry, I couldn’t stop being a nutritionist!). Athletes take bottles of sugary drinks to gyms and training sessions to provide energy for the muscles, so it would be logical to feed your brain during an interpreting marathon!
And some more useful information on how to work with your interpreter:
Coordinate with the interpreter before you begin your speech or presentation.
Explain important and/or difficult concepts and points
Make sure you speak clearly and distinctly so that interpreter can understand you. Do not mumble or swallow your words or sounds.
Speak at a slower pace than usual. If you’re communicating through an interpreter, one of the worst mistakes you can make is to speak too fast. The interpreter may get lost, and you’ll have to continually repeat yourself. This will make your communication less effective. Try to speak in short thought groups, and pause for your interpreter to catch up. If you do not, you may force the interpreter to omit some of your words, but you won’t know which ones! Be concise and deliberate in your speech pattern, enunciate clearly, and agree in advance with the interpreter on the pace and pause intervals you will use.
Use two or three sentences at a time. This will make interpreting easier for the interpreter. If you end up dictating too many sentences at a time, the interpreter may have a difficult time remembering what you said. Try to find natural stopping points in your presentation. Pacing is valuable not only for the interpreter but also for the audience. Remember that some or all of them can’t understand you. If they have to wait too long for the interpretation their attention may begin to wander.
Use simple language. Avoid the use of double negatives, passive voice and ambiguous language.
Maintain eye contact with the audience and not the interpreter. You’re presenting to the audience and not having a conversation with your interpreter.
Be patient and allocate your time appropriately. Interpreting will take time. Think about it as if you need to say everything twice.
Avoid jokes and humorous stories. Humor does not travel well.
If you do not want something to be interpreted, do not say it!
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being an interpreter “You are the one, everybody understands, not your boss, who is speaking in the unknown tongue. You are the one, everyone is reacting to and if they get applause, – you are the one getting the applause” Viktor Sukhodrev. HOW TRUE!!! Anna
Хочу процитировать моего великого тезку Суходрева, который назвал последовательный перевод “театром одного актера” и говаривал, что за столом переводить – труднее, чем в будке.