The selection and assessment of The selection and assessment of interpreters in DG SCICinterpreters in DG SCIC

Claude Durand, Head of the Training Unit

4th March 2005

European CommissionDirectorate General for Interpretation

March 2005 Page 2

I.I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selectionThe ideal profile of a candidate for selection

II.II. The characteristics of the ideal speech The characteristics of the ideal speech

III.III. The assessment methodThe assessment method

A three-stage process:A three-stage process:

March 2005 Page 3

I.I. The ideal profile of a The ideal profile of a candidate for selectioncandidate for selection

March 2005 Page 4

I.I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selectionThe ideal profile of a candidate for selection

A.A. KnowledgeKnowledge

B.B. Professional qualificationsProfessional qualifications

C.C. SkillsSkills

March 2005 Page 5

A. Knowledge

• Perfect command of the mother tongue

• Very good immediate oral comprehension of his/her passive languages

• Good all-round general knowledge and culture

• Knowledge of European and international current affairs

I.I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selectionThe ideal profile of a candidate for selection

March 2005 Page 6

B.B. Professional qualificationsProfessional qualifications

1. Good command of the technique of consecutive interpretation

2. Good command of the technique of simultaneous interpretation

I.I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selectionThe ideal profile of a candidate for selection

March 2005 Page 7

B.B. Professional qualificationsProfessional qualifications

1. Good command of the technique of consecutive interpretation:

– a clear, precise and coherent message

– faithful to the original as regards both the substance and the tone

– rendered briskly and fluently

– expressed clearly and elegantly

– demonstrating good communication with the listeners

I.I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selectionThe ideal profile of a candidate for selection

March 2005 Page 8

B.B. Professional qualificationsProfessional qualifications

2. Good command of the technique of simultaneous interpretation:

– a clear, precise and coherent message

– faithful to the original as regards both the substance and the tone

– a calm and even flow

– the ability to avoid translating literally

– using the target language correctly and spontaneously

– demonstrating good communication with the listeners

I.I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selectionThe ideal profile of a candidate for selection

March 2005 Page 9

C. Skills

• Good powers of concentration and memory

• Ability to analyse and synthesise

• Quick mental reflexes

• A gift for communication

• Natural curiosity; a critical mind

• Able to remain cool, particularly under stress

I.I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selectionThe ideal profile of a candidate for selection

March 2005 Page 10

II.II. The essential characteristics The essential characteristics of the ideal speechof the ideal speech

March 2005 Page 11

II. The essential characteristics of the ideal speechII. The essential characteristics of the ideal speech

a. An authentic speech delivered by someone speaking his/her mother tongue

b. A coherent, explicit and self-contained speech

March 2005 Page 12

c. Dealing with a contemporary issue

d. An issue likely to be discussed at European or international level

II. The essential characteristics of the ideal speechII. The essential characteristics of the ideal speech

March 2005 Page 13

e. A speech containing a reasoned argument rather than purely descriptive

(especially for the consecutive interpretation tests)

II. The essential characteristics of the ideal speechII. The essential characteristics of the ideal speech

March 2005 Page 14

III.III. Interpretation tests: Interpretation tests: Assessment methodAssessment method

March 2005 Page 15

A.A. Preliminary considerationsPreliminary considerations

The severity of the assessment will vary according to the degree of difficulty of the test

That difficulty may be related to:

– the choice of subject (too specialised?)

– the speed at which the speech is delivered

– the density of information in the speech

– the style of the speech; written rather than oral

– the specialised nature of the vocabulary

– a lack of clarity in the reasoning, etc.

III.III. Interpretation tests:Interpretation tests:Assessment methodAssessment method

March 2005 Page 16

III.III. Interpretation tests:Interpretation tests:Assessment methodAssessment method

B.B. The assessment processThe assessment process

3 successive phases:

1. Checking whether the interpretation makes sense and is plausible

2. Assessing the content

3. Assessing the form

March 2005 Page 17

B.B. The assessment processThe assessment process

1. Checking whether the interpretation makes sense and is plausible:

– Opinion of the genuine customer

– If this opinion is negative the assessment need go no further; the candidate has failed

III.III. Interpretation tests:Interpretation tests:Assessment methodAssessment method

March 2005 Page 18

B.B. The assessment processThe assessment process

2. Assessing the content:

– Was the message faithful to the original message?

– Were any ideas misunderstood or misrepresented or were there only occasional errors or omissions?

– If important ideas were completely misunderstood there is no point continuing

III.III. Interpretation tests:Interpretation tests:Assessment methodAssessment method

March 2005 Page 19

III.III. Interpretation tests:Interpretation tests:Assessment methodAssessment method

B.B. Assessing the formAssessing the form

3. Assessing the form:

– Was the candidate’s use of language correct and varied?

– What about his/her presentation and communication skills?

March 2005 Page 20

Base the assessment on:

• The criteria defined in the profile

• The identification of specific examples (not general impressions)

• An evaluation of the relative importance of mistakes or omissions (not a chronological listing thereof)

III.III. Interpretation tests:Interpretation tests:Assessment methodAssessment method

March 2005 Page 21

The assessment of each performance should be made by the members of the test panel

Speakers should be asked for their opinion only afterwards, as appropriate

III.III. Interpretation tests:Interpretation tests:Assessment methodAssessment method

Thank you for your attention and for your subsequent

assessment

The selection of interpreters and The selection of interpreters and assessment in DG SCICassessment in DG SCIC

Claude Durand, Head of the Training Unit

4th March 2005

European CommissionDirectorate General for Interpretation