Interpretation

Types of Interpretation

The type of interpretation you choose will depend upon the circumstances. Throughout MBIE, we always use consecutive interpretation. Below we will look at the four types of interpretation and the typical situations where they apply.

Consecutive Interpretation

As interpreter, you listen to a segment of speech, and then repeat what you have heard in the language of the listener(s). The speaker then resumes his/her statement, before pausing again to allow the interpreter to translate. In this way, the interpreter alternates with the speaker.

Example situation – Interviews

Summary Interpretation

The condensed form of consecutive interpretation. The interpreter listens to a lengthy statement, taking notes, and then provides a summary in the language of the audience. You must use judgement as to what needs to be said and reformulating in a more concise manner. It is not appropriate whenever detailed information is important.

Example situation – Meeting

Verbatim Interpretation

This type of interpretation implies a word-for-word interpretation after each phrase or sentence. The interpreter gives an exact translation of the speaker’s words, rather than interpreting the speaker’s meaning. It is mainly used in court settings.

Example situation – Legal documentation

Simultaneous Interpretation

The interpreter listens to the speaker and translates at the same time. It requires equipment such as soundproof booths, microphones and headsets, as well as technical staff.

Example situation – Multilingual conference

Techniques for improving Interpretation - Introduction

‘An interpreter acts as a vital link. A channel through which messages can pass. It’s a demanding and difficult role requiring skills and sensitivity. Yet, effective communication can, in certain circumstances, change a human destiny.’

Train on Your Own

Preparing and training on your own can help improve the quality of your work. There are a number of methods, most of which are quite simple and can be done on your own or with a friend. Some examples are:

• Practise taking notes from television or radio.
• Practise interpreting from newspaper articles, radio, television etc…
• Have a friend read you a text at normal speed (starting with 30 second segments and going up to three or four minutes), take notes consecutive style, and then interpret the segment into your other language.

Prepare and maintain a glossary

Each time you meet an unfamiliar word, make a record of it and add it to your personal glossary. Memorise it and practise the pronunciation and accents. There are three glossaries included in this training pack.

More resources are available in our Interpreters section on this website

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/immigration-and-tourism/immigration/interpreters(external link)

Access to these resources is limited to registered interpreters. Please don’t share this link or give out that address to other people.

Length of segment

It is important to set a length with which you are comfortable. This will vary according to the complexity of the subject and your experience at the job. It is up to you to stop the speaker before the segment gets too long. You may discreetly interrupt the speaker until he/she gets accustomed to the right length, or simply ask that the segments be shorter.

Speed

Aim to speak at your normal speed (quickly yet clearly). A slow interpreter can considerably extend the interview and this must be avoided.

Tone

There are two schools of thought among professionals as to the kind of tone the interpreter should use. For some, the interpreter must remain entirely neutral; seeking only to interpret what is being said as accurately as possible. For others, the interpreter must put expression into his/her speech in order to convey the emotion of the speaker, but should never “outdo” him or her.

Improve the quality of your voice. Be audible rather than inaudible.

Where to sit

Accuracy and neutrality / Emotional response to meaning

While we have already been through the MBIE Code of Conduct and had a session discussing the ethics of interpreting, below are a few additional hints:

• Do not attempt to sift the information given by the applicant. Faithfully translate all details. It is the responsibility of the interviewer, not the interpreter, to decide whether or not the facts given are relevant to the legal criteria.
• Avoid conversations with the applicant. Translate all his/her questions even if you know the probable answer. You might be seen as giving advice.
• Avoid expressing a personal opinion. It is not up to you as the interpreter to react either verbally or through facial expression, to what a speaker says.
• If the applicant is using primitive or unsophisticated language, do not seek to polish or embellish.
  You may sometimes have to make a statement more clear or concise, but never at the expense of accuracy.
• Explain words/notions that hold cultural meaning. Simple words such as ‘brother’, ‘family’ etc….can convey very different meanings from one culture to another. Remember to explain to the applicant the reasons for your dialogue with the interviewer. Meaning can be changed if it is only related to our own way of seeing reality. The interpreter might allow an unconscious tendency to let their personal feelings into the narration. Hence, a new level of meaning will be created when this happens. This is called an emotional response to meaning.

Practise your vowels, consonants and pronunciation

It is essential to be understood. If a particular vowel, consonant or vowel & consonant combination is difficult for you to pronounce clearly, find out which part of your mouth and throat you need to use.

Study your pronunciation. Be particularly careful where the accent falls in the word. You can ask a native speaker for help.

In phonetics, a vowel is a sound in spoken language, such as English ah! [ɑː] or oh! [oʊ], pronounced with an open vocal tract so that there is no build-up of air pressure at any point above the glottis. This contrasts with consonants, such as English sh! [ʃː], where there is a constriction or closure at some point along the vocal tract.

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing can be defined as the ability to re-express something that has been said or written in words that are both easier to understand and do not change the original meaning. Proceed step-by-step.

Client: I was captured by the militia
Interpreter: I was captured by a body of men trained as soldiers and who do not belong to a regular army.

Taking notes for nonsecutive interpretation

There is no universal note-taking system. Just as we each have a different way of thinking and learning, we each develop a different note-taking system. Note-taking in consecutive interpretation is thus highly individualized. The end result however must be the same for each of us; the message we communicate must correspond in every way to the message expressed by the original speaker.

Benefits

Increases self confidence

Relying on memory can be risky, especially when you are tired.

Focus on meaning

Helps you to focus on meaning instead of just translating the words.

Allows speaker to talk freely

Can allow the speaker to talk more freely without constantly being interrupted. This can upset the flow of thought and often hampers the logic or clarity of the speaker’s ideas.

Faithful reporting 

Helps you to report faithfully all the information provided and in the same order as the original statement.

Assists interviewer

Assists the interviewer who, in turn, is taking notes from your interpretation. The interviewer may need to see in writing names he/she finds difficult to spell or understand.

Increases credibility with speaker

The speaker will feel confident that you are interpreting and communicating all that he/she says.

Verification of detail

Verification of detail should the interviewer wish to check on a particular piece of information.

Notes

Supplement memory

Notes in consecutive interpretation are a special way of writing down and understanding what you hear. Their purpose is to supplement your memory not to take a verbatim account of what the speaker is saying.

Visual aid/Representation

Your notes are a visual aid, a photographic representation of what the speaker said.

Contain names/dates/figures

Your notes should contain names, dates, figures, facts, descriptions and other detailed information that can immediately be brought back to mind and interpreted.

Immediate use to facilitate natural delivery

Your notes are for immediate use, and will be made up of words, signs and symbols that your mind can immediately connect with an idea when delivering your interpretation. The interviewer and applicant should forget they are speaking through a go-between. The interpreter must therefore be able to deliver the message as naturally as the speaker, ensuring continuity and precision.

Useful reference link

Interpreting in a refugee context: Self-study module 3(external link) — UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency

This document, which focuses on interpreting in the context of forced displacement, is one of a series of self-study modules developed by UNHCR's Division of International Protection Services. UNHCR first published a self-study module on interpreting in a refugee context in June 1993. That earlier module has now been revised to reflect the latest developments in the field of interpretation, as interpretation standards and principles have been constantly evolving, and advances in the field over the past few decades have been significant.

This self-study guide is designed to provide guidance to persons who are called upon to provide interpreting services, especially those with little previous experience of UNHCR's work, on how to perform their role effectively.