European Parliament - DG Interpretation and Conferences - Preparing the Future

Summary

The speaker fondly recalls their experience as a student in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, marveling at the simultaneous interpretation process. They emphasize the importance of interpreters having a deep understanding of multiple languages and perfect command of their mother tongue. The video script discusses the challenges and rewards of the interpreting profession, the need for technical skills in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, and the role of the European Masters in Conference Interpreting (EMCI) in setting standards for interpreter training. The speaker highlights the interpreter's role in history and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in an ever-changing global landscape.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker was a student who visited the parliament in Strasbourg and was amazed by the simultaneous interpretation services.
• 🌐 The speaker emphasizes the importance of the moment when one realizes the magic of interpreting and the desire to pursue it as a career.
• 👂 The speaker describes the experience of listening to speeches in one's own language through headphones, highlighting the seamless nature of interpretation.
• 💬 The speaker explains the technical and mental challenges interpreters face, such as handling stress, switching between languages, and maintaining accuracy.
• 🏛 The speaker discusses the importance of interpreters having an excellent command of both their source and target languages, especially their mother tongue.
• 🎓 The speaker mentions the training of interpreters in universities, focusing on the techniques of simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.
• 🌟 The speaker praises the use of e-learning and virtual master classes, which allow for the sharing of expertise and training across different institutions.
• 🤝 The speaker highlights the need for collaboration between foreign ministries, national education ministries, universities, and European institutions to produce high-quality interpreters.
• 🏆 The speaker describes the European Masters in Conference Interpreting (EMCI) as a network that ensures a uniform standard of training for interpreters.
• 🚫 The speaker notes the principle of professional secrecy that interpreters must adhere to, akin to a priest not revealing confessions.
• 🌍 The speaker reflects on the rewarding nature of the job, the passion interpreters have for their work, and the continuous learning required to stay current with new subjects and languages.

Q & A

What was the speaker's experience at the parliament in Strasburg?

The speaker visited the parliament in Strasburg as a student and sat in the public gallery listening to multiple languages through headphones, which gave them goosebumps and made them feel that interpreting is a magical and amazing profession.

What does the speaker stress to visitor groups about the interpreting experience?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of putting on headphones in the parliament to hear everything being said in one's own language, highlighting the magic of interpreting.

What challenges does an interpreter face in their job?

Interpreters face challenges such as handling stress, quickly switching between speakers and languages, and maintaining performance for extended periods, which can be exhausting.

Why is it important for interpreters to have a perfect command of their mother tongue?

Interpreters need a perfect command of their mother tongue because it is the language that the members of parliament and delegates in committees hear, and it must remain strong even under pressure.

What are the technical skills that interpreters are trained in at universities?

Interpreters are trained in techniques such as simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, which are essential for their profession.

What is the purpose of the virtual Master Class mentioned in the script?

The virtual Master Class is a training session where interpreters from different universities practice their interpretation skills and are assessed by expert staff interpreters.

How does e-learning contribute to the training of interpreters?

E-learning is a valuable addition that showcases the European institutions' expertise and helps students train for a qualification with tremendous opportunities, making the training more accessible.

What is the role of the European Masters in Conference Interpreting (EMCI)?

The EMCI is a network of universities created by the European Commission and the European Parliament to ensure that interpreters are trained to a required standard based on the same set of standards.

Why is it essential for interpreters to keep up with information and language knowledge?

Interpreters need to stay updated with information and language knowledge to avoid being surprised or left behind in meetings, ensuring they can interpret faithfully and accurately.

What is the significance of professional secrecy for interpreters?

Professional secrecy is crucial as interpreters are bound by it, similar to a priest not revealing confessions, ensuring the confidentiality of all meetings they work in.

How does the speaker describe the job of an interpreter?

The speaker describes the job of an interpreter as demanding yet rewarding, something they do out of love and passion, and a job that can be done as long as they still feel the buzz.