Going from Consecutive to Simultaneous Interpreting – How to Train Yourself
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(Last Updated On: April 29, 2015)Interpreting over the phone offers companies and organizations a new medium for providing service to a greater number of non-native speakers. A lot of industries have received major assistance in their business operations from telephone interpreting. Courts, health care, and banks – they have all turned to phone interpreting to provide a personalized service to their clients. Perhaps there have been no varied media for businesses to connect with people than what we have today. In a few seconds businesses and organizations are linked with their respective markets with the help, of course, of interpreters.
Interpreters have been quite uptight with choosing between simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. For some, the more obvious choice would have to be consecutive interpreting – it’s less complicated, only a number of people may be involved, there are just a few distractions. This does not mean, by any way, that simultaneous interpreting is far difficult to do. Well, that may be an overly rated observation. Simultaneous interpreting may have its own prejudicial bias from a few people, but the fact still remains that it offers clients more than enough reasons to use interpreting service
Knowing whether simultaneous interpreting is effective over consecutive interpreting is a challenge that most interpreters would not want to discuss. By comparing these two without even looking at the nature and intent of where it will be used for just makes no justice. The effectiveness of a medium will only be gauged by the quality and accuracy of an output. Perhaps the proverbial cliché “the means do not justify the end” will be apt here. But then, that would seem quite paradoxical if put in the context of language interpretation.
The true challenge is when interpreters actually transition from consecutive to simultaneous interpreting. Without a doubt, this change will not be a walk in the park, especially when the interpreter has already gotten used to the system and culture of consecutive interpreting. Although the major difference between these two lies in the manner of their application, it is still not conclusive to point out that it is a herculean task for the interpreter. Certainly, when he decides to change interpretation mode he would have undergone some mental battles whether or not to forego his plan.
Simultaneous interpreting requires concentration – the ability to focus on a particular thought or voice in a sea of distractions. This is probably what keeps the interpreter – in simultaneous interpreting – to be at terms with his craft. His ability to filter noise and thoughts makes him effective in his job. This, by far, is the most important skill that the consecutive interpreter should have if he wants to do a crossover. And this is something he may not get to acquaint with so easily.
Another would be training. A linguist who wishes to venture into simultaneous interpreting must undergo the proper training needed for his job. Training may be in the skills side of interpreting, and in the field or area he is interpreting in.
Another would be technical equipment. Getting acquainted with the gadgetry being used in this type of interpreting is fairly easy. Once the interpreter gets started, using them and interpreting at the same time will all just come together in place.
Finally, interpreters must have a deep sense of appreciation and passion for his job – may it be interpreting or cutting fillet mignons. Whatever a person may endeavor to accomplish, he must always remember, at least at one point, why he is doing it. Surely, he can’t just be doing it for money. Motivation comes from passion. The desire to do great at work is tantamount to the passion the person has. It powers desires and ambitions, and takes him where he intends to be.
Interpreters have been quite uptight with choosing between simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. For some, the more obvious choice would have to be consecutive interpreting – it’s less complicated, only a number of people may be involved, there are just a few distractions. This does not mean, by any way, that simultaneous interpreting is far difficult to do. Well, that may be an overly rated observation. Simultaneous interpreting may have its own prejudicial bias from a few people, but the fact still remains that it offers clients more than enough reasons to use interpreting service
Knowing whether simultaneous interpreting is effective over consecutive interpreting is a challenge that most interpreters would not want to discuss. By comparing these two without even looking at the nature and intent of where it will be used for just makes no justice. The effectiveness of a medium will only be gauged by the quality and accuracy of an output. Perhaps the proverbial cliché “the means do not justify the end” will be apt here. But then, that would seem quite paradoxical if put in the context of language interpretation.
The true challenge is when interpreters actually transition from consecutive to simultaneous interpreting. Without a doubt, this change will not be a walk in the park, especially when the interpreter has already gotten used to the system and culture of consecutive interpreting. Although the major difference between these two lies in the manner of their application, it is still not conclusive to point out that it is a herculean task for the interpreter. Certainly, when he decides to change interpretation mode he would have undergone some mental battles whether or not to forego his plan.
Simultaneous interpreting requires concentration – the ability to focus on a particular thought or voice in a sea of distractions. This is probably what keeps the interpreter – in simultaneous interpreting – to be at terms with his craft. His ability to filter noise and thoughts makes him effective in his job. This, by far, is the most important skill that the consecutive interpreter should have if he wants to do a crossover. And this is something he may not get to acquaint with so easily.
Another would be training. A linguist who wishes to venture into simultaneous interpreting must undergo the proper training needed for his job. Training may be in the skills side of interpreting, and in the field or area he is interpreting in.
Another would be technical equipment. Getting acquainted with the gadgetry being used in this type of interpreting is fairly easy. Once the interpreter gets started, using them and interpreting at the same time will all just come together in place.
Finally, interpreters must have a deep sense of appreciation and passion for his job – may it be interpreting or cutting fillet mignons. Whatever a person may endeavor to accomplish, he must always remember, at least at one point, why he is doing it. Surely, he can’t just be doing it for money. Motivation comes from passion. The desire to do great at work is tantamount to the passion the person has. It powers desires and ambitions, and takes him where he intends to be.