Interpreting is said to be the sixth language skill it is one of the complex skills, as learners need all the four simplex language skills(listening, speaking, reading, and writing) so that they can interpret texts from one language into the other.

1. Interpreting
By Salem Bani Mostafa
Dr. Khaleel Al Bataineh
Department of English Language and
Translation
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2. Interpreting
Interpreting is said to be the sixth language skill
it is one of the complex skills, as learners need
all the four simplex language skills(listening,
speaking, reading, and writing) so that they can
interpret texts from one language into the other.
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3. Skills and sub-skills for a person who wants to work as
an interpreter
A. Receptive skills (reading and listening)
B. Speaking skills are necessary for interpreting a text.
C. Short-and long-term memory .
D. Good concentration .
E. Quick reflexes and divided attention are also
Inevitable for a person who wants to work as an
interpreter.
(Attention is divided when an interpreter monitors two or
more tasks – listening to a verbal message in the source
language, and translating it into a target language)
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What a good interpreter needs

4. Two types of interpreting
Two types of interpreting are distinguished:
1.Consecutive interpreting : means that the utterances delivered by the
speaker are interpreted delayed after the message having been
finished.(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) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFsKulFcauY
2.Conference interpreting : means that the utterances are being delivered in
L1 simultaneously with the interpreted version of the message (specialized
skill which allows communication between the speaker and a group of
audience members. Conference interpreters are tasked with listening to
the context of what the speaker is saying, and relaying it back accurately
in the target language) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vfpRO2mw9k
For the latter type of interpreting a divided attention of very high level is
necessary.
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5. This skill can be developed in classroom situations as well, though among
language teachers there are a lot of opponents of integrating this skill into school
curriculum. They have various reasons for objecting to teaching interpreting: some
of them are against bilingual teaching they prefer monolingual language lessons,
(Bilingual education is the process of teaching students using two languages.
Educators usually teach students in their native language in conjunction with a
second language utilizing differing levels of the native and second language
depending on the requirements specified in lesson plans and teaching models)
As they think that swapping the languages will disturb the students’ mental process.
Others are not prepared for unexpected situations. Life, however, is full of
unexpected situations in which language learners are expected to interpret between
two parties having two different languages.
As Hungary has become a country open to a lot of tourists and guest workers from
abroad, our learners will face more and more situations in which interpreting will
be needed. So as to make our language teaching experiential, practicable
teachers are expected to prepare students for unexpected moments in
their lives.
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6. How to develop the skill of interpreting?
Teachers are expected to plan drama activities into language classes where
students are expected to interpret messages between a foreigner and a Hungarian
native speaker or between a Hungarian tourist and an English speaking partner
abroad. To complete this task, learners will need a lot of empathy and risk-taking
teachers are supposed to develop. The principle of graduality must be taken into
consideration here so teachers should start this type of activity with beginners. First
students are expected to interpret very short dialogues and while learners are
studying the target language at higher and higher level they will be expected to
interpret more and more complex texts. The most popular activities for interpreting
will be role play activities and simulations in which minimum three parties are
necessary: a presenter, an interpreter and a target person or a target group. For
example, the sightseeing tour led by an English guide can be interpreted for
Hungarian tourists or some business partners having business talks will need an
interpreter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF4qKbVFR0s
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7. How to develop the skill of interpreting?
Situations like the ones mentioned above must always be prepared by the
teachers, they have to put an emphasis on the language structures, expressions, etc.
before setting the tasks. Students must be practised interpreting in pairs or small
groups before presenting it in public in front of the whole class. Interpreting as well
as translation is a complex skill requiring a lot of sub-skills and a great amount
of awareness of cultural background.
Though a lot of language teachers are against including complex skills into their
syllabi, it is highly recommended for the teachers to integrate them into their
everyday work as they are very useful and through them teachers can develop
many kinds of sub-skills and language awareness.
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