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Interpretation Translation Editing/Proofreading |
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These two professions are often confused because both are related to communication between two or more languages. However, they are very different in the skills they require and in the format of the work. In short, translators render the written word in another language, and interpreters work with the spoken word. Both must have excellent language skills.
To learn more, read the description by the Monterey Institute of International Studies: http://translate.miis.edu/prospective/faq.html?catid=16 |
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Interpretation Are you organizing a conference where one or more of the participants speaks Spanish? Do you have Spanish-speaking clients, patients, overseas partners, etc.? I am trained in simultaneous, consecutive, and court interpretation. I can assist you with business meetings, conferences, legal settings (depositions, court dates, etc.), and essentially any other multilingual setting.
Translation Do need a birth certificate, contract, article, report, or other kind of document translated? I can offer you professional translations of any of these texts and more.
Editing/Proofreading Do you have a translation or document that requires editing or proofreading? I offer both of these services for English-language texts. |
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Source Language The “source language” is the language of the original speech or text that will be translated or interpreted.
Target Language The “target language” is the language into which an original speech or text is translated or interpreted. In other words, it is the language of the final product.
Simultaneous Interpretation Interpretation that takes place at the same time as the speech being heard is known as “simultaneous” interpretation. In reality, it is not exactly simultaneous because there are a few seconds of lag between the original speech and the interpretation in which the interpreter hears the content, processes the meaning, chooses the words to use in the target language, and speaks those words. Simultaneous interpreters work in pairs, switching back and forth between them every 20-30 minutes, to prevent exhaustion and to have the opportunity to consult each other.
Special equipment is required for simultaneous interpretation, and can include sound-proof booths, microphones, earphones, receivers and transmitters, and other audio equipment. Sometimes portable equipment is used for this purpose.
This is the most common mode of interpretation nowadays. The advantages of simultaneous interpretation are that it is rapid and is not as taxing for the interpreter’s memory, but it is a very demanding task that requires a great deal of focus on the interpreter’s part.
Whispered interpretation is a type of simultaneous interpretation that is used only when a small number of (1-2) are listening to the interpretation and in places where there is no audio equipment. Although the interpretation is not actually “whispered”, but rather spoken in a very low voice, many interpreters do not do this kind of interpretation because it is very tiring for the voice.
Consecutive Interpretation In consecutive interpretation, the speaker speaks for a period of time and then pauses. The interpreter takes notes during the speech and then interprets during the pause. The sections of speech to be interpreted can vary in length, from one sentence up to ten minutes, but generally do not exceed 3-4 minutes. Consecutive interpreters often work in pairs as well.
Depending on the size of the room and the number of people listening to the interpretation, microphones may or may not be required.
The benefit of consecutive interpretation is that the interpreter has the luxury of hearing longer sections of speech that can allow for a greater analysis of the meaning and direction of the speech. However, this mode takes more time and depends a great deal on the interpreter’s memory skills.
Court Interpretation Court interpretation uses both simultaneous and consecutive skills, but is different in a few very important ways. First of all, since court proceedings take place in English, simultaneous interpretation into foreign languages is provided for victims, defendants, family members, witnesses, and other non-English speakers involved in court cases. However, when non-English speakers speak, interpretation of interviews, witness testimony, depositions, etc. is provided in consecutive mode, usually bi-directionally, with the same interpreter interpreting from a foreign language to English and vice versa. Secondly, court interpreters are required to say absolutely everything that the speaker says, including “um’s”, “well’s”, and other fillers that typically are omitted from interpretations in other settings. Finally, the interpreter’s words are almost always taken down by the court stenographer for the record.
Most states in the US now have a certification process for court interpreters, and there is also a federal certification process for Spanish.
Editing Editing is a detailed revision of a translation which entails checking for consistency, comparison with the original text to verify accuracy, and a review of style, grammar, and spelling.
Proofreading Proofreading is a less in-depth revision of a translation that seeks to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, and other details. A proofreader does not necessarily have to understand the texts’ source language. |
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Your words, across the language barrier |
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