Name : Angelina Winata

Student ID : 1202620001
Subject : Interpreting (Mid-Term Test) Part II

1. What is interpreting? Write it in your own words by combining and synthesizing the definition
provided by some experts.

 Interpreting is an oral translation, enabling real-time cross-linguistic communication

either face-to-face, in a conference setting, or over the phone. In other words, interpreting
converts the meaning of the source language into the target language. Interpreting takes
place in many settings and for many reasons, yet at heart, the purpose of interpreting is to
facilitate communication between parties who do not share a common language.

2. Explain the types of interpreting.

 There are two major interpreting modes: Simultaneous Interpreting and Consecutive
Interpreting.

1. In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter has to interpret what the speaker says at
the same time as the speaker is giving the speech. There should be no waiting time
between the interpretation and the receipt of what is being said. A short pause is allowed
to process the words of the speaker.

2. Consecutive interpreting is a mode of interpreting in which the speaker makes a

speech (or says a few sentences) whilst the interpreter takes notes. The interpreter then
reproduces what the speaker has said for the audience.

3. What are the competencies needed to be a good interpreter?

 There are four competencies needed to be a good interpreter :

1. Good Language Skills

First and foremost, interpreters need to have an exhaustive grasp of the language they
interpret for. An extensive vocabulary and excellent written and verbal
communication skills are a must. An interpreter should be able to speak just as well,
and preferably better, than a native speaker. Superior grammatical knowledge and the
ability to interpret idioms, nuance and metaphors in conversation is essential to
effective communication.

2. Specialty Knowledge

Most translators work in a specific industry or field (i.e. healthcare, legal, finance,
etc.). This means they need to have specialized knowledge in a certain area to be
 successful communicators. Even though someone might be an amazing multilingual
speaker, they wouldn’t get far in providing medical interpreting services at a hospital
if they had no experience with the vocabulary and lingo.

3. Soft Skills

A good interpreter is more than just a skilled linguist – he or she is someone who is
willing and able to be a good, compassionate listener. Interpretation situations can be
intimidating for non-native speakers, and an interpreter should try to make the
experience as comfortable as possible. Second in importance to outstanding language
skills is the ability to connect with a wide range of people.

4. Cultural Competence

Interpreters should not only be very familiar with more than one language, but they
should also have a cultural understanding of the languages they interpret for. Having
a strong grasp on cultural norms will help an interpreter better convey what a non-
native speaker is trying to get across.

4. Please share your understanding of consecutive interpreting. What are the problems that the
consecutive interpreter frequently faces during the interpreting session? 

 The problems that the consecutive interpreter frequently faces during the interpreting
session is :

1. Lack of understanding

2. Lack of common sense

3. Delivery speed

4. Unfamiliarity with the topic

5. Sound problems

6. Length of the speech

7. Information density

8. Lack of practice

9. Lack of attention/concretation

5. What are the strategies that the interpreter could use to be a professional consecutive
interpreter?
  This is the strategies that the interpreter could use to be a professional consecutive
interpreter:

1. Listening and Understanding

2. Note-Taking

3. Decoding Notes

4. Expression and Reformulation

6. Please share your understanding of simultaneous interpreting. What are the problems that the
simultaneous interpreter frequently faces during the interpreting session? 

 Time pressure (the gap between what the speaker says and the translation is around two
seconds.)

 Accents and speed of delivery (the interpreter must adjust to the speaker’s manner of
speech.)

 Lack of clarification (SI interpreters can’t ask the speaker to repeat themselves.)

7. What are the strategies that the interpreter could use to be a professional simultaneous
interpreter?

 Based on Chang and Schallert (2007) have summarized the types of strategies often
used in SI by the interpreters, involving:

1. Anticipation

2. Maintaining a comfortable ear–voice span

3. Reformulation

4. Chunking

5. Simplification

6. Generalization

7. Summarizing

8. Paraphrasing

9. Omission