Frequently asked questions about conference intepreting
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- What's the
difference between a conference interpreter and a translator ? A
conference interpreter works during a meeting, in speech in real time. A
translator works with a text, in writing.
- What's the difference
between a conference interpreter and a liaison interpreter? A conference
interpreter works at meetings and conferences, simultaneously or consecutively.
A liaison interpreter functions as a link between two people, such a lawyer and
her client or at a hospital.
-Do you become a conference
interpreter through authorisation? Yes and no. In Sweden Kammarkollegiet
authorises liaison interpreters, but authorisation does not guarantee that an
interpreter is used to working as a conference interpreter. However, many
conference interpreters are authorised liaison interpreters as well.
-Why do you need all the electronic equipment? Because
interpretation is less disruptive if the interpreters can hear what is being
said more easily and do not disturb the other participants.
-Why
do interpreters need background material ? It helps them to prepare.
They may need to know some specific terminology, what is likely to arise or the
like.
-Why don't simultaneous interpreters work on their own
? No simultaneous interpreter can work for longer than about 40 minutes
at a time. And even after 20 minutes quality may start to slip. Working in pairs
means that the interpretation can work smoothly right through the meeting.
-Is there any difference between "Brussels-interpreters",
"EU-interpreters", "International interpreters" and conference interpreters in
Sweden? No. AIIC interpreters in Sweden all work nationally, internationally and
for the EU institutions in Brussels, e.g. European Parliament och European Commission.
-Why is interpretation needed? We
would like to conclude with a quotation from Jan Svartvik, Professor Emeritus in
English at the University of Lund, who puts it like this in his book,
English, island language, world language, mode language:
The boards of international Swedish companies need to include eminent
foreign industrialists with extensive international experience, but this
normally means that their discussions must take place in English. This raises
problems: both for the Swedish members who have to speak English instead of
Swedish, and also for the foreign members whose mother-tongue is not English but
who have to use the language even if, of course, they would prefer to use their
own language -- Italian, Japanese, German etc. The result is that nobody feels
really "comfortable" in the deliberations. One Swedish industrialist says, " We
think we speak English really well. But there's not the same density in the
discussion if English is spoken at board meetings. You have to have simultaneous
interpretation." The key word is "density" - discussions in a language that is
not your mother tongue do not necessarily lead to misunderstanding but to a
meagre, impersonal language, whereas it is probably the articulate, personal
point of view that the Chairman of the Board was hoping to
elicit.(p.225)
Did this answer all your questions?
If there is more you would like to know, get in touch with us: info@aiic-sverige.org