How Golden Rules of Simultaneous Interpreting are Golden - Coursework Example

THE GOLDEN RULES OF SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION INTRODUCTION An interpreter is someone who communicates the needs and wants of two or more individuals who encounter a language by utilizing a language that both parties can easily understand to make their conversation resourceful. An interpreter requires understanding the conflicting languages. People who often require interpreters may include politicians, business individuals, scientists, researchers, or sales individuals. These individuals encounter a language barrier hence the need for immediate oral translation. The purpose of an interpreter is to meet the two parties’ mid-way in conversation; therefore, they require adequate linguistic knowledge to serve their purpose optimally. There are underlying factors that hinder communication regardless of the language barrier; such factors may include difference in knowledge between two or more individuals or entities, difference in educational backgrounds, difference in pre-dominant cultures, and different intellectual approaches to problems. An interpreter requires acquainting themselves with such factors to perform their roles effectively. A good interpreter recognizes that effective communication is more than just language barrier, for example, a conversation between an American and an Africa who knows little English requires that the America simplify their language and accent to a level that the Africa can easily grasp. There are two manifestations of communication barrier because of cultural differences. They are, explicit or implicit. In an explicit context, the existing communication barrier could be because of illustrations made an individual in line with a political, economic, social, intellectual, or institutional context that the person they are addressing does not recognize. The interpreter therefore has the job of instilling meaning into such phrases for the target audience. Interpreters use two fonts of communication between the target audiences, they are, consecutive interpretation and simultaneous interpretation. Consecutive interpretation involves reconstructing information between target audiences based on the sum of concepts communicated after the interpreter listens and derives important details. The interpreter may write down short notes to help with the translation. The interpreter therefore, communicates consecutively to original speaker. The interpreter must develop adequate skills to help them cope with varying lengths of speeches. Simultaneous interpretation involves listening to a speech keenly and beginning to interpret for the target audience almost immediately after the commencement of the speech. The original speaker and the interpreter finish speaking at approximately the same time. Therefore, the interpreter speaks simultaneously to the original speaker. For example, in a conference setting where delegates may communicate in different languages, a delegate speaks on a microphone connected a designated room where the interpreter resides. The interpreter listens to the conversation via a set of headphones and speaks onto a microphone connected to the headphones of the delegates who do not grasp the language of the original speaker. Simultaneous interpreting consumes less time than consecutive interpreting. Simultaneous interpretation acquires its popularity from the vastness of the members in international organizations. Simultaneous interpretation requires the interpreter to listen to the original speaker, understand what they are saying, make inferences, and re-synthesizing the information for the target audience in a different language. Both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting requires that the interpreter in question develop the mental faculties to acquire information, evaluate it, and reformat it into appropriate language. This research paper sheds light on the golden rules of effective simultaneous interpreting and gives examples on each of its rules. The paper draws examples on hypothetical situations that speakers require the services of simultaneous interpretation. This paper employs the different perspectives of communication between the sender and receiver to derive and infer knowledge on the golden rules of simultaneous interpreting. The golden rules of simultaneous interpreting The golden rules of simultaneous interpreting refer to the rules that govern an interpreter’s etiquette during interpretation for them to deliver effectively, eloquently, economically, and appropriately. The golden rules provide a sketch-map of all it entails in interpretation delivery. Communication The first principle is communication. The main aim of simultaneous interpretation is communication. It bridges the gap between language barriers when two or more individuals or entities come together to discuss. The interpreter must understand fundamental aspects of communication before making inferences. Communication refers to a deliberate effort to exchange information and meaning between space and time by employing various methods. Communication requires the availability of the sender of the information who is the original speaker, the medium of communication that is mode of communication such as direct speech or microphone, and the recipient of the message who is the target audience of the original speaker. For example, during a conference meeting, a delegate speaking is the sender of the information, the receiver of the information is the listening delegate, and the mode of communication is speech delivered via a microphone. The interpreter therefore intercepts communication from the sender to the receiver. For communication to transpire, it requires that the speaker and the target audience have a common communication agenda. For example, a business organization making entry into a new market requires making sales by providing the new products and services for prospective customers in a new land. The common agenda is business, the customer expects their need fulfilled and the business entity hopes to make sales. The loop of communication is complete once the audience understands the information from the sender. The interpreter therefore, understands the primary steps for effective communication in the event of a language barrier. First, they need to understand the concept, idea, information, or feeling existing in the speakers mind. They must encode this message using appropriate words that convey the original concepts, ideas, information, or feelings in the speakers mind. Thirdly, they must ensure that the audience decodes these messages. The most important aspect of simultaneous interpretation is sharing information and meaning. For example, during the sales activities between a business and a new customer, the interpreter must impress on the mind of the potential buyer the message of the products of a business. They must elaborate the advantages accrued from using the products, and the cost. On the other hand, the interpreter must inform the business individual whether the consumer requires the sales products. Utilization of available resources This refers to proper exploitation of the resources at the disposal of the interpreter. Some of the resources available for a simultaneous interpreter include facial expression, tonal variation, speech delivery, and written documents. By utilizing the resources available, the simultaneous interpreter ensures that the quality and quantity of information reaching the target audience is not only effective but also appropriate. Resources enable the interpreter to convey the right quality of the message. For example, during a situation whereby an American and Briton want to conduct business, the interpreter must conform to the expressions of the original speaker by encoding the intended information into expressions that the target audience can easily grasp. Therefore, the target audience must not necessarily fully understand the background of speaker. The interpreter employs the most effective resource available given the demands of the situation. For example, during a conference meeting, facial expressions do not come in handy; however, speech delivery counts as the only means to convey information. Therefore, the interpreter opts for speech. They can incorporate tonal variations to convey the intended message accurately. The interpreter needs to understand backgrounds of the target audience and the speaker to convey the intended message conveniently. They require information such as the educational background, intellect, and cultures to deliver effectively. for example, a conversation between an illiterate person and an educated individual requires that the interpreter assimilate information from the educated person and simplifies it to the level of the illiterate individual. Alternatively, the interpreter must amplify the simple messages of the illiterate individual to suit the understanding of the educated. Checking the device before using Some of the devices employed during interpretation include microphones and headphones. The devices offer the means exploited by the target audience and the speaker to access and derive information. For example, during a conference gathering, the speaker communicates via a microphone whereas, the target audience listens to the communication via a set of headphones. The interpreter looks at the working conditions of the communication devices to ensure uninterrupted flow of communication. A dysfunctional microphone results in interruption of message from the sender. In addition, a dysfunctional set of headphones means that the audience cannot receive the information hence communication breakdown. The interpreter intercepts the communication while encoding and decoding the information. For example, they require a feed from the sender via a set of headphones and a microphone that connects to the headphones of the receiver. This feed should work at all times at optimal conditions. Keenness and accuracy Keenness and accuracy refer to the ability of the interpreter to remain enthusiastic and eager to collect and disseminate information. The accuracy refers to the ability to collect appropriate information, encode it and decode it via most favorable media for the understanding of the receiver. Keenness and accuracy aid the simultaneous interpreter to remain vigilant through the interpretation that in effect reduces the number of errors they make. Errors in simultaneous interpreting often result from lack of attentiveness on the part of the interpreter. For example, when the interpreter is pre-occupied with other matters during interpretation, they might fail to grasp the message of the sender and therefore forward the wrong message. Another source of error is failing to find the right words to interpret for the receiver. The interpreter must have a wide and rich set of vocabulary that enables them to synthesize information from the sender into relevant words for their convenience. Failure to develop this lingual ability results in inaccurate information delivery. For example, when the sender of the information says something in Maximize Concentration With maximum attention, interpreter is able to discern message even if used words could be difficult. Do not Focus Attention on Problematic Words. Instead, interpreter ought to find alternative way to get message. Monitor Own Output Critically. This ensures smooth flow of ideas and overall consistency with source language. Use Short Coherent Sentences Where Possible. This depends on target language but highly increases credibility Make Sense in Every Sentence. Nonsensical sentences should not be used. Always Finish Sentences. Incomplete sentences convey incomplete messages Read More