The Role of the Interpreter

Summary

The script emphasizes the vital role of interpreters as bridges for communication between individuals who speak different languages. Interpreters aim to provide semantic equivalence, ensuring the meaning, style, and register of the original message are accurately conveyed in the target language without omission, embellishment, or alteration. Their goal is to be an invisible conduit, transferring content faithfully while maintaining the artistic and technical integrity of the original speech.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The role of an interpreter is to act as a bridge, facilitating communication between individuals who speak different languages.
• 🤝 Interpreters serve as a conduit between parties, ensuring effective communication where one party does not speak English.
• 📣 The primary duty of interpreters is to interpret meaning and concepts accurately from the source language to the target language.
• 🔍 Accuracy in interpretation does not mean word-for-word translation but capturing and conveying the intended meaning.
• 🗣️ Interpreters are responsible for translating not just the words but also the manner in which they are said, without omission or embellishment.
• 📚 The goal is to provide semantic equivalence between the source and target languages, preserving all elements of the original message.
• 🎨 Interpreters must consider both form and content, emphasizing different aspects of the original message to produce a faithful rendition.
• 👀 The non-English speaker should hear the question or statement as if it were originally delivered in English, without simplification or alteration.
• 🎭 The aim of an interpreter is to be an invisible presence, transferring content without drawing attention to the skills involved in the process.
• 🔄 Interpreters have a two-fold duty: to ensure English reflects the non-English speaker's statements accurately and to maintain the linguistic level of the non-English speaker.
• 🎼 Like in art, the balance of shades, tones, and harmony in interpretation is at the discretion of the interpreter, facing challenges such as language-specific terminologies and professional jargon.

Q & A

What is the primary role of an interpreter?

The primary role of an interpreter is to act as a bridge, facilitating effective communication between individuals who do not share a common language by accurately conveying the meaning and concepts from the source language to the target language.

Why is it important for interpreters to provide semantic equivalence between the source and target languages?

Semantic equivalence is crucial because it ensures that every element of information contained in the original message is conserved, allowing the non-English speaker to hear precisely what was said or asked without any simplification, clarification, or omission.

What does it mean to say that an interpreter should be an 'invisible person'?

Being an 'invisible person' means that the interpreter's role is to transfer content without drawing attention to themselves or the technical skills involved in the process, ensuring the focus remains on the message being conveyed.

How should interpreters handle the form and content of the original message?

Interpreters should handle the form and content of the original message with sensitive consideration, emphasizing different aspects of the original while aiming to produce a final rendition that is faithful to the original and delivered as if it were originally in the target language.

What are the two-fold duties of an interpreter?

The two-fold duties of an interpreter are to ensure that what is being said in English reflects precisely what was stated by the non-English speaker in another language, and to place non-English speakers on a relative linguistic footing with those who understand English without altering the register of the speaker.

Why is it necessary for interpreters to avoid embellishing or editing the original message?

Interpreters must avoid embellishing or editing the original message to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the communication, ensuring that the intended meaning and nuances are preserved without any distortion.

What challenges might an interpreter face when working with different languages and professional fields?

Interpreters may face challenges such as dealing with each language's unique terminology, understanding the different weights, cabinets, and rhythms that each professional field gives to the final rendition, and balancing the shades, tones, and harmony of the message.

How should interpreters approach the task of translating not just what was said, but also how it was said?

Interpreters should approach the task by ensuring that the oral translation captures not only the words but also the tone, style, syntax, register, level, and grammar of the original message, providing a complete and accurate representation of the speaker's intent.

What is the significance of the interpreter's skill and judgment in the interpretation process?

The interpreter's skill and judgment are significant as they are used to interpret accurately without embellishing or altering the meaning, ensuring that the final result is as close to the original as circumstances require or permit.

How can interpreters ensure that their interpretation is as clear and accurate as possible?

Interpreters can ensure clarity and accuracy by capturing the meaning of the original message and conveying it completely and effectively, without adding, deleting, or embellishing the content.

What is the ultimate goal of an interpreter in terms of the final rendition of the interpreted message?

The ultimate goal of an interpreter is to produce a final rendition that is as faithful to the original message as possible, while also being delivered in a manner that is natural and appropriate for the target language, making it seem as if it were originally delivered in that language.