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Interpreting (or interpretation) is an activity that consists of establishing, either simultaneously or consecutively, oral or gestural communications between two or more speakers who are not speaking (or signing) the same language.
Note that the words interpreting and interpretation can both be used to refer to this activity, the word interpreting is commonly used in the profession and in the field of translation studies in an attempt to avoid the secondary meanings of the word interpretation. (See the article on interpretation.)
Interpreting vs. translation
A distinction is made between translation, which consists of transferring ideas expressed in writing from one language to another, from interpreting, which consists of transferring ideas expressed orally, or by the use of gestures (as in the case of sign language), from one language to another.
Types of interpreting
There exist several types of interpreting:
Simultaneous interpreting
In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter will speak while the source-text speaker is still speaking.
Normally, in simultaneous interpreting the interpreter sits in a sound-proof booth, usually with a clear view of the speaker, at a microphone, listening through headphones to the incoming message in the source language; the interpreter repeats the message in the target language into the microphone to whoever is listening .
Confusingly, this is sometimes referred to as "simultaneous translation".
Consecutive interpreting
In consecutive interpreting, the source-text speaker and the interpreter taking alternate turns speaking.
Normally, in consecutive interpreting the interpreter sits at the conference table with the speakers, listening to whoever is speaking in the source language and making notes as the speech progresses. When the speaker has finished, or comes to a pause, the interpreter reproduces (consecutively) the message in the target language, in its entirety and as though he were making the original speech.
Whispered interpreting
In whispered interpreting, the interpreter sits or stands next to a person and whispers the interpretation to him.
Whispered interpretation is often used in situations when the majority of a group speaks one language, with a limited number of people who do not speak that language.
Gestural interpreting
In gestural interpreting a spoken language is interpreted into a visual one (such as ASL, for example) or vice versa.
Conference interpreting
Conference interpreting is simply interpreting in a conference environment. Conference interpreting may be simultaneous or consecutive.
Escort interpreting
In escort interpreting an interpreter accompanies a person or a delegation on a tour, on a visit or to a meeting or interview. An interpreter in this role is called an escort interpreter or an escorting interpreter.
Community interpreting
Community interpreting involves interpreting for a group who do not speak the language of the minority. Community interpreting usually involves interpreting in the fields of law, health care and welfare.
Legal interpreting
Legal interpreting, or court interpreting, takes place in courts of justice or administrative tribunals. Legal interpreting can take the form of consecutive interpreting of witnesses' statements, for example, or simultaneous interpreting of the entire proceedings by electronic means for one or more of the people in attendance.
Court interpreters usually work alone when providing consecutive interpreting services, or as a team when simultaneous interpreting is required. In addition to mastery of the source and target language, an excellent knowledge of legal terminology and court procedure is required of court interpreters.
Medical interpreting
Medical interpreting consists of communication between a medical caregiver and a patient and / or family members, facilitated by one qualified to provide such a service. Often, the interpreter is a native speaker of the target language, though this is not always the case. The interpreter must have a strong knowledge of medical terminology, common procedures, the patient interview and exam process, and the day-to-day workings of the hospital or clinic, in order to be able to serve both the patient and the caregiver. Medical interpreters often act as cultural liaisons for those who are not familiar with, or particularly comfortable in, a hospital setting.
Where interpreters work
The majority of professional full-time interpreters work for international organisations like the United Nations or the European Union.
The world's largest employer of interpreters is currently the European Commission, which employs hundreds of staff and freelance interpreters working into all of the official languages of the European Union. The European Union's other institutions (the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice) have smaller interpreting services.
The United Nations family of organisations employs interpreters at almost all its sites throughout the world. Because it has only six official languages, however, it is a much smaller employer.
See also
External Links
International Association of Conference Interpreters (http://www.aiic.net)
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