What is Interpretation: From Words to Understanding

What is Interpretation? Interpreting is the bridge that connects different languages, ideologies, cultures and worlds, enabling dialogue where silence might have prevailed.

What is Interpretation: The Art of Communication

Have you ever wondered: What is interpretation?

Interpretation is the process of converting oral content- or even sometimes written content- from the source language to the target one, for a certain audience (one or more) whether in person, over the phone

or electronically via video. The interpreter is an intermediary between the speaker (SL) and the listener (TL). Interpreting is an inevitable service in various contexts such as conferences, meetings and lectures,

and can support many sectors including business, media, politics, medicine, law, tourism …etc.

What are Interpretation Services?

There are different types of interpretation services based on various criteria (according to “Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission”; a source published in Arabic): 

Based on the situation:

1.Conference Interpreting:

It is the interpretation of speeches at conferences, lectures, meetings or events. It requires some equipment like soundproof booths, headsets, and microphones.

2.Seminar interpreting:

It is used in academic or professional events like educational seminars, workshops or training sessions. It entails deep understanding and specialized terminology. 

3.Escort Interpreting:

In it, the interpreter accompanies the LSB (Language Service Buyer) on visits, tours or meetings. It usually requires no equipment. 

4.Telephone-Based Interpreting:

Here, interpretation is done remotely by intermediating telephone calls. It is mostly used in customer service and medical or legal consulting. The interpreter should make himself at home with telephone-based

interpretation challenges: Sound quality, clarity of communication and quick response.

Based on the Specialization:

1.General Interpreting:

General oral translation, if it were, is used in fields like media, tourism and escorting, and during various events, meetings and occasions. The target audience here is from a general and broad background. Hence, the general interpretation is characterized by clarity, simplicity and accessibility. 

2.Specialized Interpreting:

It is required by the “transaction sector” that has things to do with the economy, administration, law, finance, banking, or even medicine … etc. Specialized interpreting is needed for events, meetings, conferences, and seminars; and by those belonging to a particular academic, scientific, technical, or knowledge-based field.
 

Different Types of Interpretation Services (based on the nature of the service):

1.Simultaneous Interpreting:

After answering the question: What is interpretation, many may ask about this type: What is simultaneous interpreting? We can say that simultaneous interpretation is conveying spoken content from one language into another in real-time without waiting for the speaker(s) to finish. It requires certain equipment like soundproof booths and headsets; and demands full understanding, precision, and quick response. It is commonly used in large conferences and meetings when necessary for smooth communication.

2.Consecutive Interpreting:

Consecutive interpretation is the process in which the interpreter waits for the speaker until they finish a part of their speech before converting it to the target audience’s language. It is a two-phase process based on Listening & note-taking then Interpreting. It is commonly used in formal meetings, negotiations, diplomatic settings, interviews, legal proceedings, medical consultations, small conferences and workshops.

3.Whisper Interpreting:

Whisper(ed) Interpreting (or “chuchotage” in French) is the process where the interpreter whispers the interpretation into the ear(s) of the listener(s) without any equipment. It is commonly used in small meetings, discussions, conferences, tours and visits. It entails subtlety, precision, concentration and vocal control.

4.Sight Interpreting:

Sight Interpreting or sight translation is the process of interpreting a written text (Source Language) into an oral text (Target Language) in real-time. This type of interpretation is commonly used in settings such as legal (courtrooms), medical (forms and reports), commercial (contracts, proposals and agreements), diplomatic and governmental. Sight Interpretation needs strong reading, comprehension, retaining and speaking skills.
 

Mutarjimoon: Your Trusted provider of interpreting services

What is the importance of interpreting services?

We tackled the “what”: What is interpretation? And “How”: Interpretation Services and Types. Hence, we will discuss the “Why”: The Importance of Interpretation. 

Interpretation, as shown, benefits many sectors, in different contexts, and with various types or modes. Hence, interpreting services are very important for these reasons:

• Fostering diplomacy and international relations.
• Flourishing the global economy.
• Enhancing communications on every level and by all possible means.
• Getting, exactly and immediately, various events’ messages.
• Overcoming the linguistic and cultural barriers.
• Understanding complex topics and ideas.
• Ensuring Proficiency, accuracy, active participation, networking, appreciation, confidentiality, accessibility and effective dialogue.

An Example of Interpretation Services: Accuracy Matters!

Let us at the beginning define the situations when we need interpreting services:

- When the speaker (S1) does not speak the listener(L2)'s language.
- When S1 is not properly good at the target language.
- When S1 prefers not to use the target language, although he masters it.
- When S1 is under stress or suffers from anything else. 

Difference between translation and interpretation?

Although both translation and interpretation deal with SL (Source Language) and TL (Target Language), need an LSP (Language Service Provider), and work within a context, there is a difference between them based on:
 

Medium:

While translation deals with written content (documents), interpreting services meet the requirements of spoken content (speeches).

LSP:

Interpreters, being different from translators, should have some soft and hard skills including:

- Communicative Intelligence
- Self-confidence and Resilience
- Listening and Recollection
- Linguistic Knowledge
- Preparation for the Task
- Knowledge of Abbreviations and Terminology
- Speed in Analysis and Formulation
- Precise Expression

If you want to know more about "What Skills Does a Translator Need?", kindly read our article: What are Translation Services? Everything You Need to Know

Time:

Translation tasks sometimes can take their time, but in most cases, interpreting services must take no (or much) time to get delivered.

Accuracy:

Here, we can say that although accuracy is inevitable in language services as a whole, there is, if it were, a competition between accuracy & fastness when it comes to dealing with translation and

interpretation services. Interpretation needs fastness first (without ever neglecting quality), while translation is characterized by paying great attention to quality (accuracy) and then comes on-time delivery.

Direction:

Translators are usually required to translate from a source language (x) to their native language, but interpreters should (or even must) be able to work in both directions; into and from their native tongue or

even between some language pairs. We can sum up by saying that translation works one way (in most cases), and interpretation works both ways or even more than that “both”!

The main 8 characteristics of a significant interpreter:

Given the complexity of interpretation and the requirement that the interpreter be skilled in it to avoid impeding the conversation and allowing it to proceed smoothly, they must have specific attributes that will

enable them to carry out their duties. Among these attributes are:
 
1.Quick Wit: This refers to the ability to swiftly understand the situation and avoid becoming ensnared by any element of surprise that may come up throughout the conversation. One human quality that sets people apart from one another is quick wit. While some believe it is a skill that can be gained with some training, others think it is an intrinsic talent that a person is born with that allows them to handle challenging situations.
 
2.Intelligence: An interpreter cannot be familiar with the aspects of the conversation without being intelligent and capable of choosing expressions that convey the intended ideas. Simultaneous interpretation, in particular, is based on translating words conveying the speaker's ideas as intended, and being alert to wordplay.
 
3.Language Proficiency: This describes the interpreter's ability to use both of the conversation's languages with ease. They will be caught in the middle of the conversation, knowing the words but unable to express their actual meaning, if they are skilled in one but not the other. As a result, they must be proficient in both languages and possess a high level of proficiency in employing the relevant linguistic words.

4.Significant Cultural Awareness: Words in many languages have cultural connotations that are only understandable by people familiar with the speakers' culture. Because of the speaker's cultural implications, the interpreter may choose to translate literally or by the context of the conversation, but the intended meaning may change.
 
5.Honesty and Accuracy: It is self-evident that honesty is a fundamental requirement that must be present in the interpreter, as both parties in the conversation place their trust in them and entrust them to convey the meanings of the words correctly without omitting or adding anything that might change the course of the conversation. Similarly, accuracy means conveying the true meaning of the word, not just its literal meaning; that is, the thought of the discussant in the conversation, not the spoken words themselves.
 
6.Knowledge of Translation Terminology and Abbreviations: The interpreter must be aware that some terms do not refer to their literal meaning but to other intentions in the speaker's language. Also, many languages include abbreviations with connotations that vary from one field to another. Therefore, depending on the interpreter's field of work, or rather the field of work of the individuals they provide translation services to, the interpreter must be familiar with these abbreviations and their intended meanings.

-If you want to know more about "Translation", kindly read our article: The Fields of Translation: From A to Z

7.Courage: The interpreter has no idea what kind of talks and situations they will be translating. As a result, they could come across a variety of circumstances that call for them to act bravely and calmly while finishing their assignment of appropriately reading the conversation with wit, intellect, and honesty.
 
8.Possession of a Translation Certificate: With all the aforementioned qualities, it is not possible to work as an interpreter without accreditation. Therefore, you need a certificate that proves your accreditation as an interpreter and opens up various promising job opportunities for you. It allows you to deal professionally and acts as a guarantee to clients of your professionalism, akin to tangible proof of your abilities.

Mutarjimoon: Your Trusted Interpreting Services Partner

Mutarjimoon, which knows: what is interpretation, provides professional interpretation services ensuring successful communication across different languages and cultures. Our team of experienced

interpreters is fully equipped with knowledge in various fields, with a deep understanding of cultural appropriateness and linguistic accuracy. Our interpretation services (and more) are tailored to meet your

specific needs efficiently and professionally, enhancing your ability to go from local to global (or vice versa) markets and communicate effectively with your target audiences.

We race against time to deliver messages clearly. Every interpreter is a relay runner, carrying the torch of communication through the linguistic landscape with speed, accuracy, and a spirit of teamwork.

Ready to expand your reach? Contact us to discover how our interpreting services can open new doors for you.