Conference Interpreting Student Practice: Mastering the Art of Interpretation

Conference interpreting is an essential aspect of international communication, allowing professionals to bridge language barriers and facilitate meaningful conversations. To become a successful conference interpreter, adequate training and extensive practice are crucial.

The Importance of Student Practice in Conference Interpreting

Conference interpreting students dedicate countless hours to perfecting their skills. This article explores the significance of student practice in conference interpreting and how it contributes to mastering the art of interpretation.

Conference Interpreting: A Student’s Practice Book

by Andrew Gillies (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3761 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	383 pages

FREE

The Art of Interpretation

Interpretation is not merely a mechanical process of transferring words from one language to another. It requires an in-depth understanding of both the source and target languages, cultural nuances, and subject matter. Conference interpreters must possess excellent listening skills, a strong command of languages, and the ability to think quickly on their feet.

To develop these essential skills, students engage in various practice exercises. These exercises aim to enhance their simultaneous and consecutive interpreting techniques, expand their vocabulary, improve their note-taking skills, and familiarize them with different subject areas.

Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpreting

Simultaneous interpreting, often associated with interpreting booths and headsets, requires the interpreter to listen and speak simultaneously. This method is used in conferences and large events where real-time interpretation is essential. Students practice this technique by interpreting speeches or audio recordings while simultaneously taking notes and delivering the interpretation through a microphone.

In contrast, consecutive interpreting involves the interpreter speaking after the original speaker has finished a segment of speech. Students practice consecutive interpreting by taking turns delivering an interpretation in a controlled setting. This technique allows for greater accuracy and detail but may slow down the flow of a conversation or presentation.

Vocabulary Expansion

Conference interpreting encompasses a wide range of subject matters, ranging from politics and economics to medicine and technology. Therefore, students must develop a vast vocabulary to accurately convey complex ideas and terminologies. Through extensive practice, students expose themselves to diverse texts, speeches, and recordings, allowing them to build their lexical and conceptual understanding in different fields.

Additionally, students actively engage in terminology research to familiarize themselves with specialized terminology. This involves compiling glossaries and creating personal dictionaries to facilitate quick and accurate interpretation during conferences.

Note-Taking Skills

Note-taking is an essential skill for conference interpreters. To ensure accurate and comprehensive interpretation, students practice extracting key points, numbers, names, and other crucial information from speeches or recordings. They develop shorthand techniques and symbols to capture relevant details quickly.

By honing their note-taking skills, students become more efficient in processing information and delivering a coherent interpretation. This skill significantly contributes to their overall performance, allowing them to deliver accurate and high-quality interpretations.

Subject Matter Familiarization

Conferences cover a vast array of subjects, often requiring conference interpreters to be familiar with various topics. To prepare for such challenges, students engage in extensive research and familiarization with different subject areas. They read scientific articles, watch documentaries, and attend lectures to broaden their knowledge base.

Furthermore, students participate in mock conferences or simulation exercises to simulate real-world scenarios. This hands-on experience allows them to navigate through different subject matters, adapt to different speakers' styles, and overcome potential challenges they may encounter during actual conferences.

Mastering the art of conference interpreting requires dedicated practice and perseverance. Students invest significant time and effort into honing their skills, enhancing their vocabulary, developing note-taking techniques, and familiarizing themselves with various subject areas.

Through continuous practice, conference interpreting students pave the path towards becoming professional interpreters who can seamlessly facilitate international communication, break down language barriers, and contribute to building a more connected and inclusive world.

Conference Interpreting: A Student’s Practice Book

by Andrew Gillies (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3761 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	383 pages

FREE

Conference Interpreting: A Student’s Practice Book brings together a comprehensive compilation of tried and tested practical exercises which hone the sub-skills that make up successful conference interpreting

Unique in its exclusively practical focus, Conference Interpreting: A Student’s Practice Book, serves as a reference for students and teachers seeking to solve specific interpreting-related difficulties. By breaking down the necessary skills and linking these to the most relevant and effective exercises students can target their areas of weakness and work more efficiently towards greater interpreting competence.

Split into four parts, this Practice Book includes a detailed offering general principles for effective practice drawn from the author’s own extensive experience as an interpreter and interpreter-trainer. The second ‘language’ section covers language enhancement at this very high level, an area that standard language courses and textbooks are unable to deal with. The last two sections cover the key sub-skills needed to effectively handle the two components of conference interpreting; simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.

Conference Interpreting: A Student’s Practice Book is non language-specific and as such is an essential resource for all interpreting students regardless of their language combination.