3 - Main Peculiarities of Consecutive Interpreting

MAIN
MAIN PECULIARITIES
PECULIARITIES OF
OF
CONSECUTIVE
CONSECUTIVE
INTERPRETING
INTERPRETING
LESSON II
5 major interpreting
modes
1. Simultaneous interpreting
2. Consecutive interpreting
3. Liaison or ad hoc interpreting
4. Chuchotage or whispering
5. Escort interpreting
Conference interpreting
• Simultaneous
• Consecutive
What is consecutive
interpreting?
• Classical definition: the interpreter
listens to a speech while taking notes.
When the speaker has finished, the
interpreter delivers the speech in his or
her native language.
• Consec is confined to situations where
simultaneous equipment is not available.
What is consecutive
interpreting?
• a mode of oral translation in which the
interpreter speaks after the source-
language speaker has finished speaking.
The speech is divided into segments, and
the interpreter sits or stands beside the
source-language speaker, listening and
taking notes as the speaker progresses
through the message.
The speech could be
• between a minute and twenty minutes
in length minutes and
• the interpreter will rely on a
combination of notes, memory and
general knowledge to recreate their
version of the original.
The interpretation is not a summary;
it is a complete rendition of the
original speech in another language.
Obviously this method is time
consuming as the time element is
almost doubled.
History
• It was used for the first time
during Paris Peace Talks.
• In international organisations it was
the main type of interpreting up till
1951 being replaced by simultaneous
interpreting.
Equipment required for
Consecutive Interpreting
All the equipment you will need.
•a notepad and
•a pen
When is consec used?
• ceremonial speeches
• after-dinner speeches at banquets or
to open receptions
• the opening of a cultural event
• question and answer session,
• a press conference
• visits and guided tours
• community settings
When is consec used?
• working meetings without equipment
• accreditation tests
Consecutive interpretation is very
often used in the private market for
international meetings, because it is
accurate.
Despite the move away from consecutive, it
is still
• taught on all interpreting courses (an
essential part of interpreter training) and
• is part of the selection procedure for
entry into most interpreting posts
(accreditation tests).
Skills required for
• ability to listen and take notes at the same
time
• ability to concentrate
• pleasant and loud voice
• public speaking abilities
• long-term memory
• good background knowledge
One advantage of
consecutive interpreting
• - there are no booths or equipment
between the speaker and the
interpreter.
• If the interpreter is unsure of a point
he or she can check with the speaker as
to what exactly was meant -
clarification
Mental tasks involved
(multi-tasking)
• Phase I (while the speaker is speaking):
listening and analysis, note-taking, short-
term memory operations, coordination of
these tasks;
• Phase II (while the interpreter is
speaking):
note-reading, remembering, production.
Varieties of Consecutive
Interpreting
• Sequence by sequence
• Idea by idea (paragraph or “complete
thought”)
• Whole speech
The Basic Principles of
1. Reception of the message →
2. Memorisation or note taking →
3. Mental translation →
4. Interpretation
It takes some seconds to accomplish
all these processes.
Automatisation!!!
(If a skill is automatised, it requires

less effort, less intellectual capacity
to complete it).
E.g. thinking how to use a grammatical
form.
===== PRACTICE (Leaning by doing)
1. Reception of the Message
(Understanding)
• the majority of problems arise at
this stage; problems that can alter
the quality of the translation.
• During this stage the logical groups
and semantic centers are singled out.
A loss of 25-30% of secondary
structures is allowed.
Reception of the
Message (Understanding)
• not of words but of ideas, since an
interpreter has to convey concepts
• But what happens if an interpreter
doesn't know a word or an expression
that he/she hears in a speech?
• interpreter can understand a speaker's
meaning without actually understanding
every single word and expression used
2. Memorisation (Immediate
analysis of content)
Memory - basic component of
consecutive interpreting.
The sequences for interpretation
might be from a sentence to a
paragraph or even a complete speech.
=» notes
Memorisation (Immediate
analysis of content)
• mnemonic techniques are of paramount
importance in interpreters' training:
• internally visualizing the content (mind-
maps),
• creating images in one's mind, and
• concentrating on ideas, not on single
words.
3. Mental Translation (Re-
expression)
• to choose the right equivalent based on the
type of message or the style
=» variant of the final translation.
It includes: paraphrasing, introduction of
linking words, omission of useless
constructions, the choice of the necessary
synonyms, antonyms or explanations
Interpreting stage
• stage of verbalisation or interpreting
What does this mean in
practice?
• First, as public speakers they have

to establish contact (eye-contact)
with the audience, speaking clearly
and articulating precisely.
Interpreting stage
• will look at his/her notes only from time
to time, and
• will express the interperation in an
effective way, without wavering or
repeating ideas, avoid monotonous rhythm.
• When dealing with figures he/she will
reduce the pace.
Liaison or ad hoc
interpreting
• used for workshops,
• Q & A sessions,
• round-table sessions,
• or other small meetings with a
limited number of people and
languages.
Liaison or ad hoc
interpreting
• This is not recommended for large
groups and complex language regimes,
due the lack of sound amplification
and interpretation equipment.
In order to understand better this
material,
Try to do all the tasks and exercises
assigned for the development of
consecutive interpreting skills.
Good luck 

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(If a skill is automatised, it requires

• First, as public speakers they have

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