Interpreting

Who will be the person whose words you will interpret?
What special speaking habits does this person have?
Is he or she used to working with an interpreter? Are further instructions required?
Will it be one-way interpreting or will you have to interpret in both directions?
Will it be consecutive interpreting or will you interpret simultaneously?
On which occasion will you interpret – political, business, or private?
Whose interests are relevant?
What kind of room is offered at the venue? Which positions will everyone take?
What is your target group?
What is the meeting, talk or conference about? Are there any materials available?
Do I need to learn some specialized vocabulary?
Which cultural codes are relevant?
Will the talk be confidential? Is there any document you need to sign?
Is there any water available?
Have you got pens and a note-pad?

Provide the interpreter with all the information required. See the questions above for preparation.
Let your partner know that there will be an interpreter.
Introduce your interpreter to your partner.
Speak directly to your partner, not to the interpreter!
Pause after every sentence!
Don’t expect the interpreter to transport any emotions – this is still your job.
The interpreter will also not be able to explain technical terms.
If you need to talk to your interpreter, you should inform your partner first!
Don’t try to take over the interpreter’s job in the middle of the action!
Avoid cracking jokes or using your native dialect!

Try to get hold of all the media and documents relevant for the job.
If possible, arrange for a meeting with the speaker you’re interpreting!
Bring along a notepad and a pencil for taking notes.
There is only little time to think. Be prepared to react quickly, flexibly and spontaneously!
You may drop points of little importance, but don’t make up any content!
For most of the spoken text, use mediation. Focus on the main points, purpose, tone and message.
If you didn’t understand the speaker, feel free to ask again.
Stand face to face with the audience, but watch the speakers to analyze their body language. Maintain eye contact with the audience.
Depending on the cultural codes involved, be prepared to soften the tone or to be more explicit.

Wait for the speaker’s signals to start interpreting. Don’t pause for too long.
Take a deep breath just before you start interpreting.
Speak loudly and clearly. Make sure everyone can hear you.
Don’t increase your speaking pace towards the end.
Your version should be around 20% shorter than the original.
Keep your speech concise, don’t repeat yourself.
Try to look relaxed and as if you were enjoying the show.
Even if the speaker speaks in a very informal way, don’t resort to colloquialisms and slang.
In the end of the speaker’s turn, feel free to ask one or two questions about names and facts.
Be sure not to miss the last sentence – it often contains the most important message.

You should be able to see the speaker at all times.
Maintain eye contact with both parties.
Also, the microphone should be tested beforehand.
Don’t sigh or swear, and please don’t yawn.
Don’t stop or pause. If you fail to translate properly, please move on! Things like these do happen a lot!
If the speaker is definitely too fast, feel free to say “the interpreter would ask the speaker to slow down”.
Your tone of voice should not sound as if you were bored.
Turn on the microphone only for the actual speech, not while everyone is still preparing.
Don’t get too close to the mike, otherwise everyone will hear your breathing. The same applies to scribbling and rustling paper.
Avoid using too many “ers” and “ums”.
Don’t ever forget to switch off the microphone at the end.

Kontext