This document discusses various types of interpretation and provides definitions of key terms. It outlines 7 main types of interpretation: simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, guide/escort interpretation, sign language interpretation, sight interpretation, telephone interpretation, and whispered interpretation. It also defines translation versus interpretation, and describes translation terms like source language, target language, native language, fluent language, and working language. The document concludes by outlining elements of the code of ethics for interpreters, including accuracy, confidentiality, impartiality, knowledge, education, professionalism, discretion, and respect.

1. A quick look at the
Interpreting study
Dr. Mohammed H. Al Aqad
alakkadmohmad@yahoo.com

3. Types of Interpretation
1) Simultaneous interpretation - simultaneous
interpreting of a speaker's statements at a conference,
symposium or any other large meeting.
simultaneous interpreter is the interpreter who interprets
the message orally at the same time as the speaker is
speaking. The interpreter usually sits in a booth and
listens through a headset or other equipment. Depending
on situation, also known as conference interpreting or
whispering.

4. 2) Consecutive interpretation - one of three modes of
interpreting (along with simultaneous and sight interpretation),
in which a speaker pauses every few sentences to allow the
interpreter to interpret what has just been said.
3) Guide or escort interpreter - interpreter who accompanies
visitors from a particular country abroad or foreign visitors that
come to visit a country to ensure that they are able to
communicate during their stay. This requires frequent travel
and ability to interpret on a variety of subjects both
professional and informal.

5. 4) Sign language interpreter - interpreter who facilitates
communication between people who are deaf or hard of
hearing and people who can hear. Sign language interpreter
must be fluent in English and Sign Language (SL).
5) Sight interpretation - one of three modes of interpreting
(along with consecutive and simultaneous interpretation), in
which an interpreter reads a document written in one
language and orally interprets information into another
language.

6. 6) Telephone Interpreting [ OPI / Over the Phone
Interpretation ]
This type of interpreting can be both consecutive and simultaneous.
One aspect is fixed however the interpreter is not physically
present in the room but translates through telephone. If the
participants are comfortable with only hearing the interpreter’s
voice and not the one of the target speaker, OPI can take place
simultaneously. If they are not, the interpreting assignment will be
conducted in a consecutive manner.
7) Whispered Interpreters
Interpreters only interprets to next or near the person(s) needing
the translation.
Interpreting will be going on in a low voice so that the whole
interpreting process will not distract others. Example: in a
courtroom where someone need interpreters to get the point of
what is being said.

7. •Simultaneous (simul) interpreting requires interpreters to listen and
speak (or sign) at the same time someone is speaking or signing.
Ideally, simultaneous interpreters should be so familiar with a subject
that they are able to anticipate the end of the speaker's sentence.
Because they need a high degree of concentration, simultaneous
interpreters work in pairs, with each interpreting for 20-minute to 30-
minute periods. This type of interpreting is required at international
conferences and is sometimes used in the courts.
• Consecutive (consec) interpreting begins only after the speaker
has verbalized a group of words or sentences. Consecutive
interpreters often take notes while listening to the speakers, so they
must develop some type of note-taking or shorthand system. This
form of interpreting is used most often for person-to-person
communication, during which the interpreter is positioned near both
parties.
There are two modes of interpreting: simultaneous, and consecutive.

8. Translation and Interpretation Terms and
Definitions
 A language - Native language
Most people have one A language, although someone who
was raised bilingual may have two A languages or an A and a
B, depending on whether they are truly bilingual or just very
fluent in the second language.
B language - Fluent language
Fluent here means near-native ability - understanding virtually
all vocabulary, structure, dialects, cultural influence, etc. A
certified translator or interpreter has at least one B language,
unless he or she is bilingual with two A languages.
C language - Working language
Translators and interpreters may have one or more C
languages - those which they understand well enough to
translate or interpret from but not to.

9. Translation is written - it involves taking a written text
(such as a book or an article) and translating it in writing
into the target language.
Interpretation is oral - it refers to listening to something
spoken (a speech or phone conversation) and
interpreting it orally into the target language.

10. Interpreters convert one spoken language into – or, in
the case of sign-language interpreters, between spoken
communication and sign language. Interpreting requires
that one pay attention carefully, understand what is
communicated in both languages, and express thoughts
and ideas clearly. Strong research and analytical skills,
mental dexterity, and an exceptional memory also are
important.

11. Translators convert written materials from one language
into another. They must have excellent writing and
analytical ability, and because the translations that they
produce must be accurate, they also need good editing
skills.
The interpreter listens to a speaker in one language,
grasps the content of what is being said, and then
paraphrases his or her understanding of the meaning
using the tools of the target language

12. Translating involves more than replacing a word with its
equivalent in another language; sentences and ideas must
be manipulated to flow with the same coherence as those
in the source document so that the translation reads as
though it originated in the target language. Translators also
must bear in mind any cultural references that may need to
be explained to the intended audience, such as
colloquialisms, slang, and other expressions that do not
translate literally. Some subjects may be more difficult than
others to translate because words or passages may have
multiple meanings that make several translations possible.
Not surprisingly, translated work often goes through
multiple revisions before final text is submitted.

13. Judiciary interpreters and translators facilitate
communication for people with limited English proficiency who
find it challenging to communicate in a legal setting. Legal
translators must be thoroughly familiar with the language and
functions of their country’s judicial system, as well as other
countries' legal systems. Court interpreters work in a variety of
legal settings, such as attorney-client meetings, preliminary
hearings, arraignments, depositions, and trials. Success as a
court interpreter requires an understanding of both legal
terminology and colloquial language. In addition to interpreting
what is said, court interpreters also may be required to read
written documents aloud in a language other than that in which
they were written, a task known as sight translation.

14. Medical interpreters and translators, sometimes referred to as
healthcare interpreters and translators, provide language services
to healthcare patients with limited English proficiency. Medical
interpreters help patients to communicate with doctors, nurses,
and other medical staff. Translators working in this specialty
primarily convert patient materials and informational brochures
issued by hospitals and medical facilities into the desired
language. Interpreters in this field need a strong grasp of medical
and colloquial terminology in both languages, along with cultural
sensitivity to help the patient receive the information.

15. Sign-language interpreters facilitate communication between
people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can
hear. Sign-language interpreters must be fluent in English and
in Sign Language (SL), which combines signing, finger spelling,
and specific body language. Most sign-language interpreters
either interpret, aiding communication between English and SL,
or transliterate, facilitating communication between English and
contact – a form of signing that uses a more English language-
based word order. Some interpreters specialize in oral
interpreting for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and lip-
read instead of sign. Other specialties include tactile signing,
which is interpreting for people who are blind as well as deaf by
making manual signs into their hands, using cued speech, and
signing exact English.

16. Conference interpreters work at conferences that have
non-English-speaking attendees. The work is often in the
field of international business or diplomacy, although
conference interpreters can interpret for any organization
that works with speakers of foreign languages. Employers
prefer high-level interpreters who have the ability to translate
from at least two languages into one native language - for
example, the ability to interpret from Spanish and French
into English. For some positions this qualification is
mandatory.

17. Guide or escort interpreters accompany either Ukrainian
visitors abroad or foreign visitors in the Ukraine to ensure
that they are able to communicate during their stay. These
specialists interpret on a variety of subjects, both on an
informal basis and on a professional level. Most of their
interpreting is consecutive, and work is generally shared by
two interpreters when the assignment requires more than an
8-hour day. Frequent travel, often for days or weeks at a
time, is common, and it is an aspect of the job that some find
particularly appealing.

18. Literary translators adapt written literature from one
language into another. They may translate any number of
documents, including journal articles, books, poetry, and
short stories. Literary translation is related to creative
writing; literary translators must create a new text in the
target language that reproduces the content and style of the
original. Whenever possible, literary translators work closely
with authors to best capture their intended meanings and
literary characteristics.

19. Localization translators completely adapt a product or
service for use in a different language and culture. The goal
of these specialists is to make it appear as though a product
originated in the country where it will be sold and supported.
At its earlier stages, this work dealt primarily with software
localization, but the specialty has expanded to include the
adaptation of Internet sites, marketing, publications, and
products and services in manufacturing and other business
sectors.

20. Not all good interpreters are good translators and vice versa.

21. Code of Ethics
 Accuracy: Interpreters should accurately and
completely transmit the meaning of a message without
omitting, deleting or editing, without embellishments or
explanations, and with awareness of any cultural
differences that might exist between the parties.
 Confidentiality: Interpreters must protect the privacy of
all knowledge and information gained during their course
of duty. They should protect the interest of the clients as
their own, and they shall not divulge any private
information. Interpreters also should not derive personal
profit or advantage from any private information that they
gained while acting in a professional capacity.

22. Code of Ethics cont.
 Unbiasedness/ Impartiality: Interpreters should remain a
neutral third party in an interaction and should not be on one
side or the other. This also includes eliminating one's own
opinions and values from interpreting session.
 Knowledge: Interpreters should excel in the target language
to be able to recreate the message with its original style and
meaning, and should have an excellent knowledge of the
source language and the subject area, as well as the culture
of both worlds. Interpreters must not accept a job for which
they are poorly qualified (i.e. lack of knowledge of a particular
subject).
 Education: Interpreters should continuously improve their
professional skills and expand their knowledge of both
languages including learning any special terminology
necessary to perform the assignments.

23. Code of Ethics cont.
 Professionalism: Interpreters should always behave
and present themselves in a professional manner
regardless of the familiarity or unfamiliarity with the
individuals involved. Interpreters should also not accept
assignments for which a conflict of interest may arise.
 Discretion: Interpreters should make sound judgments
in all situations so that no individual is put into jeopardy
nor is the professional appropriateness of the interpreter
is questioned. Interpreters must also not deceive a client
by words, deeds or omissions.
 Respect: Interpreters should treat all the parties
involved in communication in respectful and unprejudicial
manner including other colleagues - interpreters.

24. Q&A SESSION