Unit 8 basic notions and principles of simultaneous interpretation

Main points

8.1 The definition of simultaneous interpretation

8.2 The difference between professional simultaneous interpretation and other kinds of

interpretation

8.3 The main requirements to professional simultaneous interpretation

8.4 A few hints, which make everyone’s job easier

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8.1 The definition of simultaneous interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation, as a kind of oral translation, is widely used today due to breakthrough in technology and rapid growths of translators’ skills. First attempts to use simultaneous interpretation at international conferences date back to the late twenties but its fist extensive professional application is usually associated with the Nuremberg (Nurnberg) Trial of the Nazi war criminals (November 1945 – October 1946) where several dozens of interpreters from different countries worked together as one team. Academic research of simultaneous interpretation began in the mid-sixties and involved linguistic, psycholinguistic, psychological and practical aspects. Quite a number of academic literature is available on this subject today [see, e.g. Виссон 2000, 2001; Цвиллинг 1966; Чернов 1987; Чужакин 2002; Чужакин 2005; Швачко 2004; Швейцер 1967; 1970; Ширяев 1979, Jones 1999; Taylor-Bouladon 2001; Visson 1999].

Broadly speaking, there may be the following four kinds of simultaneous interpretation:

1. Simultaneous interpretation (without preparation) of the written text, or “off-hand” interpretation (переклад з аркуша);

2. Simultaneous reading of the text which has been previously translated;

3. “Whispered” simultaneous interpretation, i.e. interpretation without special equipment for one individual or a group of persons (usually not more than two or three people);

4. Professional simultaneous or “conference” interpretation with the use of special professional equipment, which should meet ISO 2603 (1998) and ISO 4043 (1998) standards (see more in Annexes 6 and 7 to this book).

However, only the fourth of all these kinds is a “real”, professional simultaneous interpretation, which meets certain organisational, technical, and employment requirements set out by the corresponding rules, regulations and agreements of The International Association of Conference Interpreters (See more about AIIC requirements to professional simultaneous interpretation in Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 to this book). These requirements are recognised by the majority of international organisations such as the United Nations (UN), European Space Agency (ESA), Council of Europe (CoE), Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Western European Union (WEU), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and many other international and national organisations, institutions and agencies throughout the world which hold international conferences, congresses, meetings, seminars, workshops and other events.

Professional simultaneous (conference) interpretation may be, therefore, defined as a kind of oral translation at an international forum, which is performed simultaneously with receiving oral messages in the source language (SL) with the help of special equipment. The interval between the source massage and the start of simultaneous interpreting ranges from 3 to 7 seconds with professional interpreters, recruited by AIIC.