working with interpreters - andrew...

Working with Interpreters

By its very nature, translators are always in between two places: the reality of the source-language and the possibilities of the receptor language. Through the act of translation the

translator opens the door for "dialogue". That must be the translator's greatest mission in today's

world in which nations and countries fall back into building walls among themselves rather than

opening themselves to the foreignness of other cultures.

The Translator as Mediator Between CulturesRainer Schulte


● Overview

● description, methods, impartiality, power

● Improving Interpreter Performance

● background, cultural norms, etiquettes

● Assessment of Interpreter

● language, ethics, culture, terminology

● Practical Exercise

Interpreters

● Oral translation of message across cultural and linguistic barrier(s)

● 1951 Georgetown – first formal program

● 1967 Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies

● 1980s great expansion of field across academia

● globalization

● European Union

● foreign military & diplomatic engagement

Speech Chain & Translation Process

Arjona 1978

Interpreting● translation vs. interpreting

● sequential vs. simultaneous

● direct vs. oblique● borrowing – (coup d'état)● calque – (flea market)● literal – word for word

(il avait l'air en pleine forme = he had the air of plain form)● transposition – word replacement, no change in meaning

(il se leve = he gets up)● modulation – change in point of view

(it is not difficult to show... il est facile de démontrer...)● equivalence – (it's raining cats and dogs = il pleut des cordes)● adaptation – situational equivalence due to culture

(he kissed his daughter on the mouth – invokes unforeseen negative image) Sager & Hamel 1958/1995

Exercise – Word Choice

How did you answer each question?

Why did you make your choice?

How does personal values affect word choice?

Could word choice be influenced subconsciously?

How might regionalism affect word choice?

Are some words more positive or negative? Informal or technical?



● Personal value judgements influence word choice

● Culture affects word choice

Cultural Knowledge Influencing Translation

● ecology(flora, fauna, climate)

● material culture & technology(food, housing, transportation, clothing)

● social categories(kinship, gender roles, age, socio-economic status)

● mythic patterns(taboos, cosmology, religion)

● linguistic structures(morphology, syntax)

(Nida 1945 & Arjona 1978)

Employee & Boss Interaction

How might the verbal and non-verbal elements of communication change across the following organizations and locations?

● US Army soldier at ALU

● Google campus in Mountain View

● Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, China

Folk Taxonomies

Conklin 1967 & Arjona 1978

Folk Taxonomies

Conklin 1967 & Arjona 1978

How might choosing the wrong taxonomical level impact the translation?

How might you help the accuracy of the interpreter?

Impartiality

● Impartiality vs. transparency

– not taking sides / not imposing own ideas

– not transferring one's emotion

● Is it possible to remain impartial or transparent while interpreting across cultures?

● To what extent should an interpreter adjust or intervene while interpreting?

● Should an interpreter fix or explain a misunderstanding or cultural faux pas?

● Should an interpreter coach?

Impartiality Exercises

Impartiality Exercise

● Did the interpreter remain impartial?

● Did the interpreter remain transparent?

● How did the interpreter's choices affect both the provider and the patient?

● How could of the provider worked with the interpreter to help mitigate the situations?

● more on this last point to come

Céline the Good Interpreter

http://www.nakedtranslations.com/en/2007/the-power-of-interpreters

Céline the Bad Interpreter who Doesn't Like Mud

Power of Interpreter

Power: if person A can get person B to do what A wants, then A has power over B

● attraction

● expert

● reward

● coercive

● legitimate

Brislin 1976, 1978 & French 1956


● Overview







Prior to Interpreting Session

● How could meeting with the interpreter prior to the session help?

● What could you discuss with the interpreter in order to make the session more effective?

● How could you help the interpreter perform more effectively?

● What information should you provide an interpreter beforehand?

Prior to Interpreting Session● Background

– provide questions for discussion– provide documents, bio's of those involved, bilingual dictionary– discuss goal(s) & best methods for achieving goal(s)

● Socialize & establish relationship– engage & treat interpreter as valuable– instil confidence/trust– invite to social events & reuse same interpreter

● Communication style & complexity– evaluate interpreters style & knowledge of necessary vocabulary

● Cultural norms– ask assistance with non-verbal cues, social etiquettes, behavioral norms

● Pictures, maps, diagrams– minimize misunderstandings– maximize information exchange– IKEA with 159 stores in 29 countries across 17 languages

● Encourage clarification

Etiquette During Session

● How should you behave during the interpreted session?

● What are a few do's and don'ts?

● How could you ensure that the client understands your explanations or instructions?

● What ethics should the interpreter follow?


● Speak normally

● Judicious use of words– use short, concise sentences

– avoid highly technical jargon

– use level of specificity needed to convey concept

● Pause frequently to allow translation

● Provide written materials in native language or pictures, maps, diagrams

● Check with interpreter to evaluate your mode of speech (too fast, slow, soft, unclear, etc.)


● Address person – not interpreter

● Maintain eye contact with client – not interpreter

● Speak in first person, using “I”

● Avoid jargon, idioms, metaphors, clichés– think international

● Avoid unnecessary reference to body parts

● Listen without interrupting

● Do not “think out loud”

● Avoid oversimplification of important concepts


● Nods do not equate understanding– ask person (not interpreter) to repeat explanations or

instructions in order to ensure understanding

– look for yes/no answers to open-ended questions

– assess body language for discomfort/confusion

● Allow extra time for a meeting (~15 minutes for every hour)

● Relax

● Ask if unsure

● Understand interpreters ethically must interpret everything said by both sides

– conduct private conversations outside or in another room

Session Debrief

● What should you discuss with your interpreter after the session?

● How could the interpreter provide you with greater insight into the session?

● Why have a debrief with the interpreter?

Session Debrief

● Speak privately with interpreter afterward

● Review errors / misunderstandings of client

● Discuss difficulties

● Ask for clarification & evaluation

● Review client's response vs. anticipated response

Interpreter Ethos

● Interpreter shall be impartial & transparent– for benefit of both parties

● Interpreter shall provide complete & accurate translations

● Interpreter shall not interject nor offer opinion

● Interpreter shall not enter into private conversations

● Interpreter shall not act as a witness

● Interpreter can provide cultural aide

● Interpreter shall maintain confidentiality


● Overview







Interpreting

● Primarily oral skill

● Done best into native language

– Pashto speaker translates English into Pashto best, but Pashto into English poorly

● Increased technicality necessitates increased interpreter knowledge of subject

– imagine asking non-mechanic to interpret a car repair

~ 40% of sustainment warrant officers and ~ 60% of sustainment captains frequently used translators while deployed

Interpreter Assessment

● Language

● Ethics

● Culture

● Terminology

● Interpreting skills

● Translation demonstration

National Council on Interpreting in Health Care 2001

Interpreter Assessment● Divide into six groups. Take 10 minutes to write

down a brief list of questions with which to evaluate the interpreter. Be sure to write out exactly how you will score the interpreter, that is, what might be an excellent, acceptable, and poor response.

● language, ethics, culture, terminology, interpreting skills, translation demonstration

● Remember the goal is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the interpreter.


● Overview







Guardian report from Afghanistan

● Watch the following 8 minute video in which a SFC interacts with local Afghan villagers. Take notes on the mistakes by both the interpreter and the SFC. Afterward, answer the following:

● How could have the SFC worked to improve the situation?

● What lessons have we learned that the SFC could have applied in this scenario?

working with interpreters - andrew...

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