What is Language Interpretation?
Language interpretation – the process of “translat[ing] orally or into sign language the words of a person speaking a different language”[1] – is a field too often confused with translation. As its name indicates, “interpretation” is the action of explaining the meaning of something. Indeed, an interpreter needs to convey information from one language to another – and from one person to another – very quickly, without being able to carry out any terminology research, and this process can be done by explaining what the speaker said rather than by translating verbatim.
Simultaneous or Consecutive?
Within the field of interpretation, it is important to make the distinction between two branches: simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.
In consecutive interpretation, the interpreter listens to the speech while taking notes and renders his or her translation a few seconds later. This type of interpretation requires special note-taking skills.
In simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter listens to the speaker with headphones and renders his or her translation at the same time. It is usually a more popular type of interpretation during large-scale meetings and conferences, and requires a high level of skill from the interpreter.
How Does It Work?
Rapidity and accuracy are mandatory in interpretation, and a mistake can have dramatic effect; whether it be in court interpretation or politics. This accuracy cannot be achieved unless interpreters work in a group, so they usually work in teams of two, taking turns every 20 minutes. A prime example of how hard interpreting can be occurred at the UN general assembly that was held in New York in September 2009. During this meeting, the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi insisted on bringing his own interpreter instead of using the services of some of the numerous highly-qualified UN interpreters. The poor interpreter translated a rambling Arabic speech into English for 45 minutes, before collapsing with exhaustion and shouting in the microphone, “I just can’t take it anymore!”
Now, you can see how different interpretation is from translation and what our professional LingoStar interpreters have to go through! Most of them admit that it is a high-pressure job, but that it is also very rewarding, and they are all passionate about it.
[1] Oxford English dictionary
Read on to be introduced to some of our interpreters and learn more about them!
French | English, Spanish | English Translator & Interpreter
Name: Angela
Job title: Translator/Interpreter
Native Language: English
Language Pairs: French-English, Spanish-English
Country of Residence: Canada
Specializations: Administration, Advertising, Agriculture, Architecture, Art, Biology, Business, Construction, Crime, Education, Environment, Film, Forestry, Health, Immigration, Insurance, Job Search, Law, Law Enforcement, Manufacturing, Marketing, Media, Medicine, Mining, Music, Photography, Real Estate, Television, Tourism, Travel, Trade and Wood products.
Working with LingoStar since: 2004
Favourite quote: “To have another language is to possess a second soul.” – Charlemagne
Click here to read our English interpreter Angela’s interview!
French | English Conference Interpreter
Name: Michel
Job title: Conference Interpreter
Native Language: French
Language Pair(s): French-English
Country of Residence: Canada
Specialization(s): Topics preferred when interpreting: Technical/Engineering, Business
Working with LingoStar since: January 2011
Favourite quote: We have to enjoy life one day at a time as we never know what may happen tomorrow
Click here to read our French interpreter Michel’s interview!
English | Russian, Russian | English, German | Russian, German-English Translator & Interpreter
Name: Andrey
Job title: translator/interpreter
Native Language: Russian
Language Pair(s): English-Russian/Russian-English, German-Russian, German-English
Country of Residence: Belarus
Specialization(s): oil and gas, pharmacology and medicine, automotive, environment and others
Working with LingoStar since: 2010
Favourite quote: “Learn, learn, learn” V. Lenin 🙂
Click here to read our Russian interpreter Andrey’s interview!
English | Spanish, Spanish | English, German | Spanish Certified Translator & Interpreter
Name: Giovanni
Job title: Certified Translator and Interpreter
Native Language: Spanish
Language Pair(s): EN-ES, ES-EN, and DE-ES
Country of Residence: Colombia
Specialization(s): Legal (Contracts), Engineering (Electrical & Chemical), and Environmental Affairs
Working with LingoStar since: 2010
Favourite quote: Live and let live
Click here to read our Italian interpreter Giovanni’s interview!
Arabic | English, English | Arabic Translator & Interpreter
Name: Ibrahim
Job title: Professional Translator/Interpreter
Native Language: Arabic
Language Pair(s): Arabic to English, English to Arabic
Country of Residence: Canada (Montreal)
Specialization(s): Agriculture General; Aviation Security/Maintenance; Business General; Contracts; Correspondence; Current Affairs; Education; Government & Politics; Hospitality & Tourism; International Relations; Legal General; Market Research; Personal Documents & Certificates; Technical General.
Working with LingoStar since: May 2010
Favourite quote: “An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.”
Click here to read our Arabic interpreter Ibrahim’s interview!
English | Italian, French | Italian Translator & Interpreter
Name: Matteo
Job title: Freelance Translator and Interpreter
Native Language: Italian
Language Pair(s): English > Italian, French > Italian
Country of Residence: Italy
Specialization(s): LEGAL, MARKETING, TECHNICAL etc
Working with LingoStar since: 2007
Favourite quote: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Click here to read our Italian interpreter Matteo’s interview!
Russian | English, English | Russian, French | Russian, Spanish | Russian Translator & Interpreter
Name: Vitaly
Job title: Translator/Interpreter
Native Language: Russian
Language Pair(s): Russian-English, English Russian, French-Russian, Spanish-Russian
Country of Residence: Canada
Specialization(s): Geology and Mining, Technical, Business
Working with LingoStar since: 2009
Favourite quote: “It is the man that determines what is said, not the words”
Click here to read our Russian interpreter Vitaly’s interview!
