Understanding Language Interpretation and Translation
Understanding Interpretation
Interpretation can be defined in a nutshell as conveying understanding. Its usefulness stems from the fact that a speaker’s meaning is best expressed in his or her native tongue but is best understood in the languages of the listeners.
Interpretation vs. Translation: Key Differences
While both interpretation and translation bridge language barriers, they differ significantly in their medium and approach. Both the translator and the interpreter must have a thorough mastery of the target language, as well as a very good passive understanding of the source language or languages with which they work. For most interpreters, the target language will be his or her native tongue.
- Translators:
- Study written material in one language (the “source language”) and reproduce it in written form in another language (the “target language”).
- Rely mainly on thorough research with background materials and dictionaries to produce the most accurate and readable written translation possible.
- Are usually held to a higher standard of accuracy and completeness, including the ability to reproduce the style of the original.
- Their activity is more like that of a writer.
- Will spend much time searching for the correct technical term or the right choice of words.
- Interpreters:
- Listen to a spoken message in the source language and render it orally, consecutively or simultaneously, in the target language.
- Rely mainly on the ability to get the gist of the message across to the target audience on the spot.
- Are expected to convey the essence of the message immediately.
- Their performance is more like that of an actor.
- Must immediately come up with a satisfactory paraphrase or a rough equivalent if le mot juste does not come to mind, in order not to keep the audience waiting.
No translation is ever “perfect” because cultures and languages differ. Some people are able to do both translation and interpretation, while others find that, for reasons of temperament and personality, they cannot do one or the other. Generally, some experience as a translator provides a good foundation for becoming an interpreter.
Consecutive vs. Simultaneous Interpretation
Within the field of interpretation, two primary methods are employed:
- Consecutive Interpretation:
- The interpreter listens to the speaker, takes notes, and then reproduces the speech in the target language.
- Depending on the length of the speech, this may be done all at one go or in several segments.
- The consecutive interpreter relies mainly on memory, but good note-taking technique is an essential aid.
- This was long the standard method.
- Simultaneous Interpretation:
- The interpreter, usually sitting in a soundproof booth, listens to the speaker through earphones and, speaking into a microphone, reproduces the speech in the target language as it is being delivered in the source language.
- Because the simultaneous interpreter cannot fall too far behind, this method requires considerable practice and presence of mind.
- It was first tried out on a large scale, and found to be workable, at the Nuremberg trials.
- Thanks to that breakthrough and to modern sound equipment, simultaneous interpretation has now become the most widely used method in every type of meeting, from business conventions to summit conferences, and can even be done via remote communications links.