Profession interpreter

Interpreters understand and convert spoken communication from one language to another. They retain considerable amounts of information, often with the aid of note-taking, and communicate it immediately after whilst keeping the nuances and stress of the message in the recipient language.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Social

Knowledge

• Spelling

  The rules concerning the way words are spelled.

• Interpreting modes

  The various ways of translating a language orally, such as simultaneous, consecutive, relay, whispered or liaison.

• Grammar

  The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.

Skills

• Master language rules

  Master the techniques and practices of the languages to be translated. This includes both your own native language, as well as foreign languages. Be familiar with applicable standards and rules and identify the proper expressions and words to use.

• Perceive the context

  Use situations and contexts to more fully grasp the meaning of what is said. Understanding the people involved and the situation, such as mood and setting, will allow for a more accurate interpretation because the interpreter will therefore be acquainted with the position of the speaker.

• Perform bilateral interpretation

  Understand and interpret oral statements in both directions of a language pair, while maintaining the speaker’s communicative intent.

• Speak different languages

  Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

• Interpret spoken language between two parties

  Convert one spoken language to another in order to ensure the communication between two parties who do not speak a common language.

• Update language skills

  Research or practice language skills to stay current with language changes in order to best translate or interpret.

• Memorise large amounts of information

  Retain large amounts of information and take notes for accurate interpretation.

• Follow an ethical code of conduct for translation activities

  Carry out translation activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes fairness, transparency, and impartiality. Do not use judgement or allow personal opinions to affect the quality of the translation or interpretation.

• Manage a good diction

  Speak clearly and precisely so that others understand exactly what is being said. Pronounce words accurately so as not to make mistakes or unintentionally say something incorrect.

• Work analytically

  Analyse information flows to reconstruct messages quickly and precisely. Navigate a language to explain the same sense or feeling in situations where there is no definite word or literal translation.

• Follow interpreting quality standards

  Follow the agreed upon standards to ensure that the requirements for interpreters are met and to guarantee unity. This may include such standards as the European standard EN 15038 for translation.

• Translate language concepts

  Translate one language into another language. Match words and expressions with their corresponding brothers in other languages, while making sure that the message and nuances of the original text are preserved.

• Develop a translation strategy

  Perform research to better understand the subject material and formulate the right questions to get the information needed.

• Preserve meaning of original speech

  Translate speech without adding, changing or omitting anything. Make sure the original message is conveyed and do not express your own feelings or opinions. Work to keep the intended meaning.

• Translate spoken language simultaneously

  Translate what a speaker says accurately and completely at the same rate of speech without any lag time.

• Observe confidentiality

  Observe the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.

• Translate spoken language consecutively

  Translate what a speaker says when the speakers pauses after two or more sentences, accurately and completely and based upon your notes. The speaker will wait until the interpreter finishes before proceeding.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB