THE UNIVERSITY OF DA NANG

UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES

FACULTY OF ENGLISH

***** & *****

INTERPRETING 1

INTERNAL CIRCULATION

Compiled by Nguyen Cung Tram, M.A.

Danang 2021
 COURSE OUTLINE
Name: Interpreting 1
Credit value: 3
Length of the course: 45 periods/ 15 classes/ 15 weeks
Purpose of the course:
Course Objectives
The course aims to introduce students to an overview of interpretation and
different types of interpretation. The course focuses on providing learners with
opportunities to practise fundamental interpretation skills such as listening for
gist, memorizing, note-taking, summarizing and interpreting (mainly sentence-
by-sentence and consecutive). Students are assisted in building up a repertoire for
interpretation including topic-based vocabulary and structures through exposure
to content knowledge of familiar topics (education, health, environment…).

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course, students will be able to
• DISTINGUISH different types of interpretation
• DEMONSTRATE an ability to apply linguistic, cultural and social knowledge to
handle interpreting tasks
• DEVELOP skills of sight and consecutive interpretation at fundamental level
• BUILD a repertoire for interpretation (topic-based vocabulary and structures)
• DEVELOP skills of working individually and effectively in a team via
individual, pair and group work for interpretation assignments
Teaching and learning modes
Teachers will deliver lectures on different types of interpreting and basic interpreting
skills. For the practice, there are class activities for topic discussion, vocabulary
understanding and content prediction. Students will have to show their individual
preparation for class activities, performance on interpreting tasks, as well as building
of a repertoire for interpretation including topic-based vocabulary and structures.

Assessment
On-going Assessment
Attendance and In-class participation 20%
Glossary + Oral mini-test 30%

Final Assessment
End-of-term oral test 50%
 INTRODUCTION

Interpreting 1 material is designed to develop in learners basic interpreting

skills with a wide range of knowledge and vocabulary in various areas such as
culture, tourism, environment, health and medicine, education in both English
and Vietnamese.

Talks or recordings are selected from authentic materials with slow and medium
speed for the purpose of students’ practicing basic skills of memorizing, note-
taking and summarizing. Interpreting tasks are designed to give learners step-by-
step guide: understanding the vocabulary related to the topic of interpreting task,
discussing and exploring the topic, memorizing and taking notes for the talks,
rephrasing the ideas of the talk according to their understanding, and doing the
interpretation into the target language.
Further practice section is to provide learners with extra materials for home
practice and self-study.

Any comment from teachers and learners on practicality of this material would be
a great contribution to our more enjoyable learning experience in future.

Nguyen Cung Tram

 INTRODUCTION TO INTERPRETING

TRANSLATION VERSUS INTERPRETING

• Product of the transfer: Interpreting means “to transfer orally a text from one
language to another” → the product of interpreting appears in spoken form.
Whereas, in translation or translating, the product of this transfer appears in
written form.
• Length of the text: The interpreter normally produces a text in the TL which
is shorter than the text in the SL. In contrast, the final product comes out
invariably longer than the original in translation.
• Access to reference books: the translator always has easy access to bilingual
and monolingual dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedia and the like. This never
happens for the interpreter. An interpreter who consults a dictionary is, at
times, looked at with suspicion.

THE INTERPRETER’S ROLE AND QUALITIES

The interpreter’s role:

• The main purpose of interpreting is communication, which means transmitting

thoughts from one person to another. In this way, the interpreter can eliminate
language barrier that separates people, thus functioning as an instrument of
understanding between them.
• In various interpreting modes, the interpreter is seen as instruments of mutual
understanding between nations (consecutive and simultaneous interpreting at
international conferences, high level meetings), facilitates the relationship
between citizens in a community of different ethnic extraction (community
interpreting, liaison interpreting), and assists in promoting the development
of an individual, a company or a corporation (conversation, interview
interpreting), etc.

The interpreter’s qualities:

• proficient in two or more languages with special attributes as resistance,

promptness of speech and mind, and with several intellectual gifts as good
memory, power of concentration
• high moral standards and a sense of responsibility (impartiality,
confidentiality)
• ability to recognize the subject matter (wide knowledge of history, geography,
economics, politics, medical sciences, law, environment, and other subjects of
special interest)
• good voice
• ability to work under pressure (long hours of working, tendency of losing
confidence, concentration or being distracted)

MODES OF INTERPRETING

1. Consecutive interpreting
• the most exhaustive form of interpreting;
• consisting of listening to a speech in one language and translating or
summarizing it orally into another;
• the time lapse between the speech and the interpretation varies.

1.1. Sentence-by-sentence interpreting

• known as dialogue interpreting
• commonly used at courts, commissions, at conferences, interviews and other
‘triangular situation”
• requiring good memory training

1.2. Summarizing the whole speech

• may last one, two, five, ten up to half an hour interpreting
• requiring excellent memory and note-taking skills, obtainable by training and
exercise

2. Sight translation
• reading aloud in one language of a text in another language
• time lapse between mental reading and its rendition approaches simultaneous
technique
• the interpreter holds control of the SL
• used when a document emerges during an interpreting session (a letter or a
telegram produced in evidence in court, the translation of a contract or other
documents which concludes a meeting with a solicitor or a bank manager, etc.)

3. Simultaneous interpreting
• used for large meetings, conferences and conventions
• interpreting the speech while listening
• requiring specialized training and equipments: sound-proof booths,
headphones, earphones, microphones, amplifiers, sound engineers to monitor
and supervise the lot)

4. Whispered interpreting
• rendering the interpretation for one speaker only while sitting next to them
• usually practised in court

ANALYSIS OF INTERPRETING PROCESS

The work of an interpreter follows a logical sequence consisting of three main
phases:

UNDERSTANDING → CONVERSION → DELIVERY

(of the SL) (of the SL text into TL text) (of the TL text)

Understanding:
Comprehension of the SL text is extremely important to ensure good
interpretation. In the first step, the interpreter must:
• have good hearing
• have thorough knowledge of the SL (with all possible variances such as
regional dialects, local accents, socially related peculiarities)
• know the culture of the country of the speaker
• know the subject matter of the speech or discussion, obtained through research
or preparation before the interpreting session or through years of dedicated
study

Conversion:
For a good conversion of the SL message into the TL, the interpreter must:
• have thorough knowledge of the TL and its culture (culture-bound factors such
as proverbs, sayings, adages, jokes)
• have good memorizing and note-taking skill
• be able to handle the various situation that may occur
• pay attention to factors affecting conversion process: time (speed) and accuracy

→ Time factor is understood as promptness and immediacy. Long pauses of one

or two seconds are allowed, but no more. Long gaps between the speech and the
interpretation usually cause nervousness and doubt in the audience of the
interpreter’s capabilities.
→ Accuracy varies inversely with speed. The longer one takes to translate, the
more accurate the product will be.

The following scale shows the difference in considering the two factors for
differing modes of interpreting (with 1 as the lowest and 5 the highest
consideration):
 Modes of Interpreting Time factor Accuracy of performance
- Written translation 1 5
- Consecutive (whole-speech) Interpreting 2 4
- Sentence-by-sentence Interpreting 3 3
- Sight translation 4 2
- Simultaneous interpreting 5 1

Delivery:
To carry out the delivery of the interpretation in a professional way, the
interpreter must:
• obtain a number of skills needed through study and training, especially
public speaking
• use standard language with clear grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary as
well as accent
• possess appropriate gestures and manner while interpreting (not imitating
the speaker’s gestures)
• know to maintain the speech flow by leaving as few pauses as possible
• try to make the interpretation always slightly shorter than the SL text
(KISS: keep it short and simple; interpret ideas not words)
• use direct speech form

PUBLIC SPEAKING
Public speaking is an important part of any interpreters’ training program for
several reasons. First, many people despite their thorough grasp of working
languages tend to be shy, freeze up and develop mental block when faced with an
audience. Second, when given interpretation assignments in front of large
audiences of important people, even those who are not shy often feel extremely
intimidated. Thus, in order to overcome such a stage fright, an interpreter like an
actor, or a news announcer should learn how to perform in public and effectively
use his/her voice.

Public speakers have usually acquired some proficiency in the art of persuasion,
and an interpreter must be able to mirror that skill and should be strive to be good
public speakers. To gain greater confidence and overcome the stage fright,
interpreters should pay attention to important aspects in public speaking.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC SPEAKING

1. Speech Structure
Opening speeches: Typical structure
• Welcoming audience, starting with special guests.
• Speak on the significance of the occasion to the audience
• Thank those involved in organization and mention keynote speakers
• Express wishes for successful session

Closing speeches: Typical structure

• Congratulate the participants on outcomes of the seminar/conference and
describe some of those outcomes.
• Speak on the significance of such conferences.
• Thank the organizers and participants.
• Announce the venues and date for the next conference/seminar.
• End on bright note that convey hope for the continued success of these
seminars/more conferences on this theme, etc.

2. Eye Contact
• Do not skim over the audience, but take a little time with each person.
• If uncomfortable when looking people in the eye, use the bull’s eye techniques-
look at the person’s forehead, just above the eyes
• If interpreting in front of a large audience, establish eye contact with several
people so that they also feel included. This may also help to judge audience
response.

3. Body Language
Nervous body language undermines the creditability of the speaker. Thus, it is
recommended to walk confidently and directly to the podium and hold your
stomach in, your shoulders back and your chest out. This projects confidence. And
when you project confidence, you usually end up feeling confident.

4. Posture
• Posture is important in allowing good breath.
• Do not stoop or hunch, and do not stand stiffly.
• Place your weight evenly on both feet, without resting on either hip, position
your shoulders evenly.
• Do not tilt your head to the side, do not cross your legs, do not pull your head
back with the chin in, do not thrust your head forward with the chin out.

5. Facial Expressions
Interpreters should possess appropriate facial expressions. They should never be
too sad or too happy in the course of interpreting. Nor should they show too much
enthusiasm or empathy over an issue or problem.

6. Appearance
• Make sure your appearance (clothing, jewelry, hair, etc.) does not distract
listeners from your interpreting.
• Dress smartly and stylishly, but conservatively and unobtrusively, avoiding
patterns.
7. Ways to relax
In the minutes before the speech, when your nerves are at their worst, do some
exercises to release tension. Or try watch or visualize something funny as this will
help you keep calm.

8. Voice
Tape yourself. Evaluate your pace, speech control, volume control, rhythm, clarity,
pronunciation, etc.