Simultaneous interpreting
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Simultaneous interpreting (also called simultaneous translation ) is a form of interpreting in which the interpretation is produced almost simultaneously with the source text. The time between the statements of the speaker and the interpreter is technically known as décalage ( French : décalage , displacement).
Forms of simultaneous interpreting
Booth interpreting
The most common form of simultaneous interpreting today is work in the interpreting booth (booth interpreting). Usually one or more soundproofed booths are installed at the back of the event room, which are usually manned by two to three interpreters . Due to the high psychological (concentration) and physical (voice) stress, simultaneous interpreters always work together in teams, take turns regularly and support each other in the event of any difficulties (for example, the interpreter who is not speaking could inform the technician about disturbances in the sound quality ). The interpreters hear the speaker through headphones and speak into a microphone, the signal of which is then passed on to the headphones of the audience.
Sign language interpreting
Sign language interpreting involves interpreting between spoken languages and sign languages , or between different sign languages. Since when interpreting between spoken and sign languages, the target and source language run on different channels - acoustically and visually, it is possible to work simultaneously at any time and in any place without technical equipment and without an interpreting booth. The speaker of the spoken language is neither drowned out by the simultaneous interpretation, nor is it disturbed in the flow of speech. Likewise, interpreting from a sign language into a spoken language, the so-called Voicen , does not cause any disturbance for the sign language user . Due to the practicality of simultaneous interpreting (without time lag as with consecutive interpreting ) and the problem-free use of the described language pair, simultaneous interpreting is the preferred type of interpreting in sign language interpreting. Therefore, in German sign language interpreting courses, the teaching of consecutive interpreting and the necessary note-taking technique is largely dispensed with.
Relay interpreting
Interpreting in the relay system is a special form. Here (z. B. in what is known is Leitkabine ) from a relatively rare internationally used or "small" language (about Estonian) (about English) interpretation into one more commonly used language of the conference and then this interpretation of the other interpreters as a source text removed .
With tour guide system
For events with a small number of participants, especially under conditions that do not allow the use of an interpreting booth, e.g. B. outdoors, simultaneous interpreting with a tour guide system is an option. The interpreter hears the speaker directly and speaks into the microphone of the tour guide system, whose signal is passed on to the listeners' headphones using mobile transmission technology. This can be used to accompany a group on a factory tour, for example.
Whispered interpreting
An even smaller number of listeners can, under certain conditions, be provided with simultaneous interpretation without technical aids. With whispered interpreting (also chuchotage from French chuchoter , whisper), the interpreter is positioned diagonally behind his listener or his two listeners and gives them the interpretation very quietly. Actual whispering is not justifiable due to the vocal strain, but since speaking very quietly with whispered interpreting is extremely exhausting and the acoustic conditions are usually poor, this can only be used for a short time. Whispered interpreting is the most common type of court interpreting. Most of the time, the proceedings are interpreted simultaneously in a whisper for the party or the accused. However, the interpretation of statements made by the party or the accused is usually consecutive. As a rule, the court determines whether it should be interpreted sentence after sentence or in sections. This decision is essentially dependent on the individual circumstances of the proceedings or the personality of those involved.
Translate from scratch
Finally, sight-reading or impromptu translation is sometimes seen as a form of simultaneous interpreting, since here, too, the reproduction in the target language takes place almost simultaneously with the recording of the source text. A written text is reproduced orally in another language as quickly and fluently as possible. Strictly speaking, sight translation is, as the name suggests, a form of translation , since the source text is fixed and theoretically could be consulted several times. In practice, however, depending on the specific working conditions, it approaches interpreting or represents a hybrid form.
history
Little is known about the history of interpreting as a whole. Whispered interpreting is believed to be the oldest form of simultaneous interpreting, as it does not require any technical aids.
The Nuremberg Trials are considered to be the hour of birth of modern simultaneous interpreting , and the use of interpreters broke new ground here. The company IBM developed one of the first electrical systems for simultaneous interpreting with microphones , mixing consoles and headphones . First used in 1945 at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva , it was used in Nuremberg in 1946.
David Bellos writes: “Since this new profession emerged, it has been clear that simultaneous interpreting is one of the most difficult things the human brain can do. [...] A simultaneous interpreter must - contrary to the instinctive endeavor - speak and listen; listen and talk. Conference interpreting only exists because some particularly skilled people can do such unnatural things. "
Technical aids
Certain minimum requirements apply to interpreting booths, which are stipulated in the standards ISO 2603 and DIN 56 924 Part 1 (fixed booths) and ISO 4043 and DIN 56 924 Part 2 (transportable booths). In addition, DIN IEC 914 conference systems (electrical and acoustic requirements) apply. Usually only universities and very large conference centers or conference centers that are heavily geared towards multilingual operations have fixed interpreting booths. In the case of transportable cabins, in addition to good functionality, the easiest possible handling and good portability must be achieved. The standard-compliant interior space for a transportable interpreting booth with three workstations is 2.4 m wide by 2 m high by 1.6 m deep. The booths are equipped with windows to the front and sides and must be set up so that the interpreters have a clear view of the speaker and, if necessary, his presentation. As a support, the presentation can also be transmitted to a screen in the cabin. In front of the windows there is a shelf on which the operator consoles for the interpreters are installed. The chairs are in front of the shelf. In addition, the interpreters, their water bottles and glasses, preparatory materials for the day's lectures, dictionaries and possibly laptops have to be located in the confined space of the booth. The cabins must continue to meet certain sound insulation values, and the ventilation must work accordingly so that the cabin can remain closed.
When working with interpreting booths, the hall technology must also be functional and used intelligently. When interpreting, only the speaker's microphone may be switched on. Neck or lapel microphones are preferable, especially if the speaker is moving around a lot. The sound transmission from the speaker to the interpreter and from the interpreter to the listener can take place via cable (with permanently installed booths), otherwise infrared signals are usually used.
Another technical aid is the tour guide system mentioned above. Such a system consists of one or more mobile transmitters with a microphone for the speakers and interpreters and mobile receivers with several channels for the audience. When working with a tour guide system, the interpreter is not acoustically shielded from the environment and must remain directly with the speaker in order to understand him.
Finally, the interpreter's own computer should be mentioned, which is particularly indispensable for the preparation and follow-up of interpreting assignments. The increasingly smaller, lighter, more powerful and quieter portable computing technology can, however, also be used in the interpreting booth (dictionaries, terminological databases , if necessary internet research between the lectures).
See also
literature
- Margareta Bowen: History of Interpreting . In: Mary Snell-Hornby et al .: Handbuch Translation . Stauffenburg, Tübingen 1999, pp. 43-46.
- Ralf Friese: interpreting systems . In: Mary Snell-Hornby et al .: Handbuch Translation . Stauffenburg, Tübingen 1999, pp. 336–338.
- Francesca Gaiba: The Origins of Simultaneous Interpretation : The Nuremberg Trial, Ottawa 1998.
- Franz Pöchhacker: Simultaneous interpreting . In: Mary Snell-Hornby et al .: Handbuch Translation . Stauffenburg, Tübingen 1999, pp. 301-304.
- Mary Snell-Hornby et al .: Handbuch Translation . Stauffenburg, Tübingen 1999, ISBN 3-86057-992-4 .
- Jürgen Stähle: From translating to simultaneous interpreting. Crafts and arts of the second oldest trade. Franz Steiner, Stuttgart 2009, ISBN 978-3-515-09360-6 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Francesca Gaiba: The Origins of Simultaneous Interpretation : The Nuremberg Trial, Ottawa 1998.
- ↑ Walther Funk's Nuremberg war crimes trial headphones - Collections Search - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Retrieved July 5, 2020 .
- ↑ Bellos, "Is That a Fish in Your Ear", translation by Alexandra Berlina, http://www.perevesti.net/de/dolmetscher-leistungen/konferenzdolmetschen-deutsch-russisch-englisch