The freelance accreditation test: part 2 - jury member tips

Summary

This video, part two in a series on the inter-institutional accreditation test for interpreters, features an interview with Anna Economedes and Andy Hartley, experienced jury panel members. They discuss what the jury looks for in candidates, emphasizing professional competence and readiness to work alongside experienced interpreters. Candidates are advised not to aim for perfection but to demonstrate their ability to communicate clearly and coherently. Common reasons for test failure include poor technique, lack of experience, and nervousness. To prepare, candidates should practice, stay informed about current affairs, and familiarize themselves with the EU. During the test, they should not stop speaking, avoid nonsensical statements, and ensure they do not add to the original content. If a candidate fails, they are encouraged not to give up but to return with more experience. The video also explains the composition of the jury panel and the importance of consecutive interpreting as a diagnostic tool. The final advice is to manage nerves, show the jury what the candidate can do, and return if unsuccessful to improve on the experience.

Takeaways

• 🔍 **Professional Competence:** Jurors are looking for candidates who can communicate clearly and coherently in their mother tongue, even under various circumstances.
• 🚫 **No Perfection Required:** The expectation is not for perfection but for interpreters ready to work alongside experienced professionals from the next day.
• 📉 **Common Failure Reasons:** Candidates often fail due to poor consecutive technique, lack of experience in simultaneous interpreting, or weak second language skills.
• 🤔 **Managing Nerves:** Candidates should view the test as an opportunity to showcase their skills rather than an exam, and remember that the setup aims to recruit talent.
• 📚 **Preparation Tips:** Extensive practice, especially in consecutive interpreting, staying updated with current affairs, and understanding the EU are recommended for preparation.
• 🙅 **Don'ts During the Test:** Candidates should avoid stopping completely, saying anything nonsensical, or adding information not present in the original text.
• 🔄 **Retrying the Test:** If a candidate fails, they are encouraged not to give up but to gain more experience and return for a second attempt.
• 👥 **Jury Composition:** The panel consists of members from various institutions and language experts to ensure a well-rounded evaluation and consensus.
• 🎓 **Diagnostic Tool:** Consecutive interpreting is still tested as it serves as a good diagnostic tool for the jury to assess a candidate's communication skills.
• 🗣️ **Customer Perspective:** One jury member acts as a layperson, providing feedback without prior knowledge of the original speech to gauge clarity and comprehension.
• 💡 **Final Advice:** Prospective candidates are urged to demonstrate their abilities confidently, and if unsuccessful, to use the experience to better prepare for a subsequent attempt.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the inter-institutional accreditation test for interpreters?

The test focuses on evaluating the professional competence of candidates, ensuring they can communicate clearly and coherently in their mother tongue under various circumstances, and are ready to work alongside experienced interpreters from the next day.

What are the jurors not looking for in candidates during the test?

Jurors are not looking for perfection. They understand candidates have had interpreter training and are looking for someone who can work effectively from the start, with skills that will be further honed on the job.

Why do candidates often fail the consecutive interpreting part of the test?

Candidates tend to fail due to poor technique, lack of recent practice, and sometimes a weak second language. It is rare to see issues with the mother tongue.

How can candidates manage their nerves during the test?

Candidates should remember that the setup is designed to recruit freelance interpreters, and not treat it as a competition. They should view it as an opportunity to show their normal work style and capabilities.

What is the importance of practicing for the accreditation test?

Practice is crucial, especially for honing consecutive technique and ensuring the ability to perform sustained simultaneous interpreting. Keeping up with current affairs and knowing about the EU is also important.

What should candidates avoid doing during the test?

Candidates should avoid stopping completely, saying anything nonsensical, adding information not in the original text, and losing control of their output. They should always strive to recover from difficult situations.

What advice is given to candidates who fail the accreditation test?

The advice is to not give up, gain more experience, and come back for a second attempt. Many people pass on their second try, and the institutions in Brussels are a significant employer for interpreters.

Why is consecutive interpreting still tested at the EU despite some saying it's not used much?

Consecutive interpreting is still used unexpectedly in bilateral settings and is a job requirement. It serves as a good diagnostic tool for the panel to observe a candidate's communication skills more effectively than in simultaneous interpreting.

Why are there so many people on the jury panel?

The panel is inter-institutional, requiring representation from all institutions. It needs enough members to cover all languages, including those less commonly spoken, and to provide a range of opinions to reach a consensus.

What role does the 'pure customer' member of the jury play?

The 'pure customer' member has not heard the original speech and does not understand the original language, allowing them to provide genuine feedback on the interpretation's clarity and usefulness.

What final advice is given to prospective candidates?

The final advice is to come and show what they can do, ensuring nerves do not hinder their performance. If they do not pass the first time, they should use the experience to better prepare for the next attempt.