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.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Magic of Multilingual Interpretation

This paragraph narrates the speaker's awe-inspiring experience as a student in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, witnessing the magic of simultaneous interpretation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of interpreters having excellent language skills, particularly in their mother tongue, to convey the message effectively under pressure. The interpreter's job is described as challenging, requiring quick switches between languages and handling stressful situations. The speaker also discusses the technical skills involved in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, the importance of training, and the role of e-learning in enhancing interpreter education across Europe.

05:00

📚 The Evolution and Challenges of Interpreting

The second paragraph delves into the evolution of interpreting from post-World War II to the present, highlighting the transition from consecutive to simultaneous interpreting and the absence of technical equipment in the past. It discusses the unique note-taking techniques used by interpreters, the principle of professional secrecy they adhere to, and the demanding yet rewarding nature of the job. The speaker also touches on the necessity for interpreters to stay updated with changing information and maintain their language proficiency. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of communication, the interpreter's role in contributing to history, and the enriching experience of working in a multilingual environment.

Keywords

💡Interpreting

Interpreting refers to the process of converting spoken language from one language to another in real-time. It is central to the video's theme as it showcases the importance of language interpretation in a multilingual environment like the European Parliament. The script mentions the speaker's amazement at hearing various languages being translated simultaneously, highlighting the magic and complexity of the interpreting profession.

💡Simultaneous Interpreting

Simultaneous interpreting is a specialized form of interpreting where the interpreter translates the speaker's words in real-time while they are still speaking. The video emphasizes the difficulty and skill required for this task, as interpreters must keep up with the speed of the speaker and accurately convey the message without the benefit of hearing the entire speech first.

💡Consecutive Interpreting

Consecutive interpreting is another method where the interpreter listens to a segment of speech, takes notes, and then delivers a translation after the speaker has finished. The script contrasts this with simultaneous interpreting, noting that it is less demanding in terms of speed but requires a special note-taking technique and a thorough understanding of the speech's content.

💡Language Booth

A language booth is a soundproof enclosure where interpreters sit and perform their work. The script describes the experience of being in a booth and the challenges interpreters face, such as the lack of control over the pace of work and the need to perform at the speed and rhythm of the speakers.

💡Professional Secrecy

Professional secrecy is the ethical principle that interpreters must adhere to, ensuring that they do not disclose any confidential information from the meetings they interpret. The script likens interpreters to priests, bound by the same obligation of confidentiality, emphasizing the trust placed in them.

💡Mother Tongue

The mother tongue refers to the first language a person learns, typically the language they are most fluent in. The script highlights the importance of having a perfect command of one's mother tongue for interpreters, as this is the language that the audience hears and relies on for accurate information.

💡Technical Skills

Technical skills in the context of interpreting refer to the specific abilities and techniques required to perform the job effectively. The video mentions that interpreters need a sound knowledge of simultaneous and consecutive interpreting techniques, which they develop through university education and training.

💡e-Learning

e-Learning is the use of electronic media and information and communication technologies for learning. The script discusses how e-Learning can be a valuable addition to traditional education, allowing for remote training and assessment of interpreters, as demonstrated by the virtual Master Class linking Geneva, Paris, and Prague.

💡EMCI

EMCI stands for the European Masters in Conference Interpreting, a network established by the European Commission and the European Parliament. The script explains that EMCI aims to create a uniform standard for interpreter education across universities, ensuring that graduates meet the high demands of the profession.

💡Synergies

Synergies refer to the cooperation or collaboration between different parties to achieve a common goal. In the context of the video, synergies are essential between foreign ministries, national education ministries, university heads, and European institutions to ensure the production of high-quality interpreters.

💡Active Languages

Active languages in interpreting are the languages that an interpreter actively uses to interpret from the source language to their target language. The script mentions English as the speaker's active language, emphasizing the importance of being able to interpret faithfully and accurately, regardless of the content or tone of the original speech.

Highlights

Experience of listening to multiple languages in the European Parliament in Strasbourg evokes a sense of magic and wonder.

The importance of having a moment of realization about the amazing potential of language interpretation as a career.

The role of interpreters in handling stressful situations and switching quickly between languages during sessions.

The demanding nature of the interpreting job, requiring excellent knowledge of multiple languages and perfect command of one's mother tongue.

The need for interpreters to perform under pressure and adapt to the speed and rhythm of the speakers.

The lack of control interpreters have over their work environment and the challenges it presents.

The necessity for interpreters to have a sound knowledge of interpretation techniques, including simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.

The virtual Master Class linking Geneva, Paris, and Prague for interpreter training and assessment.

The value of e-learning in showcasing European institutions and their know-how to civil society and students.

The role of the European institutions in assisting member states by filling gaps in interpreter training.

The establishment of the EMCI (European Masters in Conference Interpreting) to create a network of universities with shared standards.

The difficulty of learning simultaneous interpreting compared to consecutive interpreting.

The historical context of interpreting before the Second World War and the evolution of techniques.

The professional secrecy that interpreters are bound by, similar to a priest-confessor relationship.

The rewarding nature of the interpreting job despite its demanding and draining aspects.

The need for interpreters to keep up with changing information, new subjects, and maintaining language proficiency.

The importance of being curious and having an open mind to adapt to various topics and interests in interpreting.

The impact of language and cultural diversity on interpreters and the enrichment it brings to their work.

The passion and commitment interpreters have for their work and the desire to communicate effectively.

Transcripts

I was a student and I was in the

parliament in Strasburg just on a on a

visit and I sat in the public Gallery

with the headphones on and just turn the

button and listen to these languages and

I still get goosebumps just thinking

about it now and thought this is Magic

it's absolutely amazing and and that you

need that that that moment when you

think this is an amazing thing to do and

I want to do it I stress it a lot with

the visitor groups that we get I set

them down in the planery and I say put

on your headphones and what you'll find

is that everything that's being said

down there you can hear it in your

language and and then somebody comes up

and says but how can this be there's a

gentleman down there speaking and what I

hear is a woman's voice telling me what

he's saying and I say no look what's

happening is he's speaking Estonian and

there's a lady interpreter who's

translating into Spanish what he's

saying interpreting is a job which you

do in an atmosphere where there may be a

lot of stress so The Interpreter has to

be able to handle that kind of

situation you also switch very fast from

one speaker to the next and you switch

languages too from Finnish to Greek to

Portuguese to German to Lithuanian but I

adore it and I find it's difficult but

you're pumped full of adrenaline and you

do that for two hours and afterwards

you're exhausted it's a hard job it's an

odd job in lots of ways as well it's a

strange thing to do to to be all these

different people and not to have any

control over where you work when you

work how fast how slow if you're feeling

tired it's it's too bad you can't think

well today I'll close the office door

and just do a few emails you know you're

in the booth you have to perform to

their speed and their Rhythm and that

that can be very frustrating that that

lack of control we need people with an

excellent knowledge of their of the

languages they work from but perhaps

even more important an totally perfect

command of their main language of their

mother tongue because that's what what

people hear the the members of

parliament sitting in the meetings the

delegates in the Committees all they

hear is the output they hear the mother

tongue and that has to be so strong that

even under the greatest pressure it

won't crack obviously our interpreters

need a very sound knowledge of the

techniques of interpretation of

simultaneous interpreting consecutive

interpreting and that's what they're

doing in The Universities at the moment

and that's what's happening here they're

showing us their technical skills in

simultaneous and cons

behind us today there is a a virtual

Master Class happening and what we're

doing is linking in to Geneva Paris and

Prague and we have interpreters training

interpreters in those three universities

doing their interpretation exercises and

being assessed by expert staff

interpreters here in

Brussels

I think it was a very good performance

overall I think you rendered the message

very

wellar e-learning is a very valuable

addition which really puts the European

institutions Center

Stage it shows civil society that all of

the knowhow that we have hidden in the

institutions is not only use for the

benefit of the institutions

themselves but it can also help students

to train for a qualification which has

tremendous

opportunities the member states are not

always aware of just how important this

training

is and so the European institutions

assist them by filling in certain

gaps we can help for example by sending

experienced interpreters to teach young

students for a while setting the

standards very

high the universities are a bit like the

factory which produces the raw material

that we need in order to

function it's therefore vital that we

work

together the European commission and the

European Parliament have set up the emci

the European Masters in conference

interpreting in order to create a

network of univers

which work on the basis of the same set

of Standards so that they produce

interpreters at the required

level that's why it's absolutely

essential to have synergies between

foreign Ministries National Education

Ministries the heads of the major

universities and the European

institutions who are after all the

biggest recruiters of interpreters in

the

world

really simultaneous is the most

difficult skill of all to learn

consecutive has its own difficulties but

at least there you hear the entire

speech before you have to interpret it

so you know what that person has said

you know where it's going you know the

conclusion in simultaneous you just have

to follow with it and the speed in

simultaneous can often be one of the

most difficult things to keep up with

Sim before the second world war there

weren't any interpreting booths and so

the consecutive we do now it's the same

as then it doesn't require technical

equipment the speaker delivers his

speech of between five and eight or nine

minutes The Interpreter takes notes and

afterwards interprets the speech into

his language but it's a special note

taking technique it's not like the short

hand we had in the past we note down key

ideas which jog the

memory The Interpreter is bound by

professional secrecy all of the meetings

where he or she works are covered by the

principle of professional secrecy and so

the interpreters a bit like a priest who

may not reveal anything that was set to

him in confession it's very much the

same thing it is a very demanding job it

drains you but it's very

rewarding it's a job you do because you

love it there can't be many interpreters

who don't believe passionately in what

they are doing it's a job that you can

do as long as you still feel that

buzz the challenges are keeping up with

the information things change all the

time new subjects new members new people

new issues and trying to keep on top of

of what's happening and keep on top of

the information so that you're never

left behind or surprised by things that

you hear in a meeting and of course

keeping up the languages keeping up your

language knowledge you know with every

language that you work from we interpret

faithfully and accurately from the

speaker so if a speaker is insulting

vulgar swears then we have to reflect

that as a rule though we would take it

down a little bit never increase it

never make it worse and active languages

as I said earlier my active language is

English the work that each of us does

depends on the quality of the work of

our

colleagues when you go into the booth

and you've prepared everything and you

know very well that the first subject to

be discussed will be cars with green

engines let's say and then the chairman

comes in and starts to talk about

yesterday's football

match well you can't say well I didn't

read the paper yesterday so I don't know

who won the match that's just not

possible you have to be curious about

everything you have to have an open mind

and you learn to like even the things

that you don't really like can you be

certain that the parliament will give

you work

or so it depends what languages do you

have if you have uh on top of French

English Greek and malse then you can do

whatever you want first thank you thank

you

thank you get to be a part of history in

the making if you know if you want to

put it in those terms you know I feel

that I've made a contribution however

small but nonetheless I think you know

I'm a part of it and I've been to the

most amazing places seen things heard

things that I really never thought I

would no no no wait wait wait wait no

Tibetan you have to want to communicate

you've got to understand the meaning of

speech and of movement and it's that

that urge to communicate that that we

really look for that spark in a student

is is what we're looking for so at that

time we could no longer imagine to

return back to a single language

environment uh it's really enriching to

have all these different cultures

communities languages in here we learn

the one or the other as time goes by

it's a positive experience it's a

challenge to make it happen every day

but we like it we love it and I think we

couldn't imagine to go back to where we

were

before

for