Interpreting Studies and Theories Quiz

Interpreting is a subfield of translation studies that focuses on real-time, oral translation of spoken or signed languages in shared situations, like conferences, meetings, or courtroom proceedings. Unlike written translation, interpreting happens without breaks to review or correct, demanding strong cognitive skills and quick thinking.

Simultaneous interpreting involves translating spoken words into another language at the same time as the original speaker is talking. The interpreter listens and speaks simultaneously, requiring a high degree of fluency and mental agility to keep up.

The Nuremberg Trials, held after World War II, are notable for their extensive use of simultaneous interpreting. This event significantly boosted the use of interpreting in international settings and contributed to its development as a field.

Otto Kade, a key figure in interpreting studies, provided a fundamental understanding of interpreting and its unique characteristics in the 1960s, helping to establish it. Kade's work laid the groundwork for interpreting as a recognized academic discipline.

Seleskovitch was a prominent figure who contributed both to the professional practice of interpreting and its academic study. She played a crucial role within the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and helped establish interpreting training programs at the École Supérieure d’Interprètes et de Traducteurs (ESIT) in Paris.

The 1960s witnessed the emergence of several individuals who promoted the study of interpreting and translation as academic subjects. They contributed to the development of interpreting as a recognized discipline in academia.

Interpreting study has developed as a field since its early stages, going beyond the focus on mental processes of interpreters to explore other aspects, such as its relation to translation, its social impact, and its ethical considerations. This reflects a growing interest in the field and its implications for cross-cultural communication.

A school of thought in interpreting emphasizing understanding meaning over linguistic elements. This theory views interpreting as knowledge-based comprehension rather than just linguistic transcoding. It originated in the early 1960s.

Understanding meaning (théorie du sens) rather than focusing on linguistic elements. It views interpreting as a comprehension process based on knowledge and understanding, not just word-for-word translation.

Interpreters are seen as information processing systems relying on their memory (working and long-term) and cognitive abilities like anticipation, inferencing, and macro-processing. This approach focuses on the mental processes involved in interpreting.

This theory focuses on the interpreter's role in communication, considering the social context and dynamics of the interaction. It examines how the interpreter acts as a mediator and influences communication.

A definition of interpreting as a form of translation where the source text is presented only once, under time pressure, and with little chance to review or correct. This encompasses both spoken and signed language interpreting, as well as sight translation.

A mode of interpreting where the source text is presented in writing and the interpreter translates into the target language orally. It's a form of interpreting where the interpreter needs to quickly process and translate written text.

Refers to the multiple approaches and theories used in interpreting studies. While different in focus (meaning, cognition, or social interaction), they contribute to understanding the complexities of interpreting.

Interpreters have to quickly understand the speaker's message while simultaneously translating into the target language. This involves handling a lot of information and juggling tasks.

Interpreting, viewed from a social perspective, is seen as bridging not only language but also cultural differences and values. The interpreter becomes a mediator between diverse communication systems, promoting understanding and facilitating interaction.

Simultaneous interpreting poses a significant cognitive challenge due to the simultaneous nature of source language comprehension and target language production. It requires quick thinking, multitasking, and managing limited cognitive resources like memory and attention.

Maintaining fidelity to source language, ensuring a cohesive and fluent interpretation, and using accurate terminology are critical for interpreting quality. These aspects prioritize accurate information transfer and understanding.

Interpreters employ strategies to manage the cognitive demands of simultaneous interpreting, including anticipating information, compressing content, and restructuring language to convey meaning effectively.

Preparation and background research, including glossary development and document analysis, contribute to an interpreter's thematic and contextual understanding. This aids in 'top-down' processing of information, enhancing comprehension and accuracy.

Understanding source language while simultaneously producing target language is a major challenge, requiring rapid processing and decision-making. Interpreters need to balance comprehension and production, maintaining accuracy and fluency.

Interpreters' output includes non-verbal elements like tone, gestures, and facial expressions. These elements are crucial for conveying meaning and influencing how listeners perceive the interpreted message.

The quality of interpretation is judged by users who can't directly check the source material. This makes assessing accuracy and equivalence challenging.

Researchers analyze interpretation in terms of omissions, additions, and errors compared to the original message. This helps understand how accurately the message is conveyed.

Training interpreters is crucial, with a focus on developing skills like note-taking, simultaneous translation, and sight translation.

Consecutive interpreting involves translating after the speaker has finished a segment, using notes.

Community interpreters work with individuals and groups, emphasizing cultural sensitivity and managing interpersonal dynamics.

The AIIC Code of Ethics outlines principles for interpreters, including professional secrecy and ensuring accurate, unbiased translation.

Interpreters are not just language translators but also brokers of cultural understanding, helping to bridge gaps in communication due to cultural differences and misunderstandings.

The RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) developed a set of ethical principles for interpreters, emphasizing impartiality and faithfulness to the original message. These principles form the foundation for ethical interpreting practices.

Interpreters are not simply passive conduits of information; they actively engage to ensure effective communication, facilitating understanding between parties involved in the interaction.

In legal settings, interpreters are expected to translate verbatim, emphasizing precise word-for-word accuracy. This strict approach creates tension between the need for accurate translation and the flexibility required for effective communication.

The role and responsibilities of an interpreter are shaped not only by their own skills but also by the expectations of the specific institutions and fields they work in. This highlights the contextual nature of interpreting.

Simultaneous interpreting, made possible by electro-acoustic systems, involves translating while the speaker is still talking. Interpreters use booths to isolate themselves from the audience, focusing on the speaker's voice and their translation simultaneously.

Electro-acoustic systems have been a crucial player in the development of interpreting. These systems have transformed how interpreting is delivered and have contributed significantly to the field's evolution.

The history of interpreting is still being pieced together, but we know that it gained wider recognition as a profession in the 20th century. Researchers like Baigorri-Jalón, Gaiba, and Wilss have contributed significantly to our understanding of its history.