This document provides an overview of translation and interpretation. It defines key terms like translation, interpretation, source language and target language. It distinguishes between simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and describes the skills required of translators and interpreters. The document also discusses different approaches to translation like word-for-word, sentence-level and conceptual translation. It emphasizes that translation requires understanding concepts and culture in addition to language.

1. Who is Rolando Ernesto Tellez?
•Graduated from UNAN and
•Southern Illinois University.
•- Works as a translator, writer,
•professor, contributor to END.
•His Books: Bilingual Legal
•Terminology Dictionary, The
•Gueguense, English for Lawyers,
•Dario´s Poems, Great Hero,
•Nicaraguan Political Constitution,
•Inglés Básico, Canal Law,
•Artículos de un Fulbright, etc.

2. Introduction to Translation &
Interpretation
Translation vs. Interpretation
By Rolando Tellez,
MSc. in Communication & Translation

3. What to do with your English
• The job as a translator and interpreter is not only
fascinating, but also very educational and
rewarding.
To be a translator – interpreter you need:
• Training on the different translation techniques.
• Passion to work continually on both languages.
• To keep learning for the rest of your life.
• To be knowledgeable about the world.
• A computer, cable TV or short-wave radio.
• To learn relaxation techniques.

4. Basic Definitions
• Interpretation - Interpretation, or interpreting, is
an activity that consists of establishing, either
simultaneously or consecutively, oral
communications between two or more speakers
who are not speaking the same language.
Translation - Translation is an activity comprising
the interpretation of the meaning of a text in one
language and the production of a new,
equivalent text in another language. The final
product is called a translation.

5. Basic Translation Fields
• Simultaneous Interpretation
Consecutive Interpretation
Translation
On-sight Translation
Written Translation

6. Particular Needs of Clients
• All professional translators and interpreters know that the
two modes of rendering meaning from one language to
another are different. This presentation provides a short
introduction on terminology and background information
on the differences between the different techniques and
how each requires a specific set of skills.
•
Any potential client requiring language services should
be clear about the job of a translator or an interpreter.
So, do you need a consecutive or a simultaneous
interpreter?

7. Basic Definitions
• Source language (SL) – The SL is the
original language of a text or utterance
before it is translated or interpreted.
Target language (TL) – The language into
which a text is rendered. The language
one translates or interprets into is the TL.

8. Simultaneous Interpreting
• - Usually accomplished in pairs with each
interpreter taking turns at the microphone every
30 minutes.
- Most international organizations have their
interpreters work only into the interpreters’ native
tongue.
- Interpreters normally work in soundproof
booths, attentively listening to the speaker’s
remarks via headphones and following slightly
behind in the target language. Decisiveness is
paramount. There is no time to weigh the merits
of various renditions.

9. Simultaneous Interpreting
• - While some information may be written down
(dates, names, important facts), simultaneous
interpreters do not take notes as consecutive
interpreters do.
- It is done with the interpreter/audience using
portable equipment (microphone and
headphones).
- Most suitable for lectures, seminars and
conferences and during events at which
information generally flows in one direction.

10. Interpretation and Translation
It is easy to assume that interpretation and
translation differ only in the medium: oral
or written. However, there can be great
differences in training (type, not
necessarily the amount), skills and even
some personality attributes.

11. Interpretation and Translation
• - A translator must write well and express herself
superbly in the target language. Ideally, the
translator is a native speaker of the target
language.
- It is imperative that the translator understands
the source language and the culture of its
speakers. She or he does not have to be as
verbally fluent in the source language as the
interpreter, but she should have a native or
near-native comprehension of the meaning and
nuance of the source text.

12. Interpretation and Translation
• - A translator should have a comprehensive set of
dictionaries and reference materials available (as
well as have a high level of expertise in using on-line
resources).
• A professional interpreter will also have these
resources, but they are more for study and
preparation and not for use while actually engaged
in interpreting.
• While a translator may specialize in a narrowly
focused subject or two, most conference interpreters
normally prepare for a wide variety of topics.

13. Interpretation and Translation
• - A translator’s work is more methodical and exact.
·All interpreters, but especially consecutive
interpreters, should have superior short-term
memory.
- An interpreter must have a good voice, excellent
public speaking skills. She should feel comfortable
in the spotlight. While a simultaneous interpreter’s
work is mostly anonymous, when an interpreter
makes a major meaning error “in the booth,” an
amazing number of people are eager to let her know
about it. Consecutive interpreters tend to be more
visible, as they usually are standing or sitting beside
their principal.

14. Interpretation and Translation
• Professional interpreters and translators
comprehensively read and study in the
fields they work most often (in the target
and source languages).
While translators and interpreters do share
a love of languages and certain skill sets,
the terms are not synonymous and the
activities involved are indeed different.

15. Concepts to Keep in Mind
• Language is a dynamic system in constant
evolution (semantic extensions, e.g.
email…).
• Translation goes beyond the linguistic
level (philosophical, anthropological or
cultural, e.g. showing height of a person)
• Understanding is filtered by a culturally
defined conceptual way of thinking

16. Concepts to Keep in Mind
• Knowledge schemes (different cultures
and subcultures)
• Focus on what the speakers and listeners
(writers and readers) have in common or
share
• Say the same things with different codes
(Jakobson, 1959)

17. Concepts to Keep in Mind
• Translate not only words, but also
concepts, rhetorical patterns, and even
contexts
• Grammatical structures may need to
change in another lg. to keep the
message
• (Proverbs and Sayings)
• Clear message with minimum alteration of
the linguistic elements and structures

18. Concepts to Keep in Mind
• It is the job of the translator to find these
similarities that exist between two worlds
and use them accordingly in favor of his
readers
• Translation has purely functional nature
• Because the varied contexts and
objectives of translations, there is a need
for translator to specialize

19. Approaches to Translation &
Interpretation
• For practising translators, the linguistic ability
functions as an instinct that can only be
developed with constant input and
contextualization (visualization).
• Main approaches to translation:
• - translation at the level of word (word for word
translation)
• - translation at the level of sentence, and
• - conceptual translation

20. Approaches to Translation &
Interpretation
• Translators and interpreters need to specialize
in a particular field of knowledge, for instance, in
business they should handle automatically terms
such as shareholders´ meetings, Minutes, profit
and loss statements, generally accepted
accounting standards.
• Name of official translations: United Nations,
Ministry (Department) of Education, OAS, IDB,
IMF, GDP, Stock Market, WB, tax board, IRS,
WTO, PAHO, WHO, IFC. IT, ILO, etc.

21. Approaches to Translation &
Interpretation
• Common turns in the sentence to
sentence translation, e.g.
• The inter-coder reliability indices of the
segmentation and codification of the
editorials were then determined. An inter-
coder reliability index above .80 was
obtained.

22. Approaches to Translation &
Interpretation
• At conceptual levels we have proverbs
and sayings.
Time is gold, Silence is gold, Screwed-up
but happy.
• Sharing with other translators terminology
issues.

23. Approaches to Translation &
Interpretation
• Finally, translation as a process with opportunities to
cohere the semiotic, the linguistic, the social, the cultural
and the psychological perspectives on communicating.
• Translation involves accommodation in scope of culture,
politics, aesthetics, and many other factors.
• Accommodation is also translation, a free, rather than
literal, kind of translation. In both interpreting and
translation, accommodations must be made so
communication may proceed smoothly. I am only calling
your attention to the fact that accommodation as a skill
will make this job more successful.

24. Good Qualities of a Translator
• - A sophisticated understanding of the foreign
language
- An understanding of the topic being translated
- An ability to transfer ideas expressed in one
language into an equally meaningful form in the
other language
- An above-average capacity to write well in the
target language (the language in which the
translation is written), using language
appropriate for the topic and readership

25. Good Translator´s Qualities
• - Broad general knowledge
- A sound knowledge of the two cultures
involved
- Mental agility
- Sensitivity and attention to detail
- An understanding of specialized
terminology in the field of the translation
and a willingness to do further research if
necessary
- Training and experience.

26. Commercial
Translation Center Offers:
- Training for 6 months in this practical and
profitable career (Minimum 6 hrs a week).
- Upon completion of this training, part-time
job may be considered, depending on
your performance and reliability.
- Flexitime on Weekdays (by appointment)

27. Requirement for Training
• Advanced level of English (graduate)
• Computer skills (at least Word 2007)
• Discipline and dedication to this intensive
training.
Make up your mind & prepare for a better
future. Contact me at 289-4596
email: etellez43@yahoo.com
Thank you. Q&A