Dear All,
The few words below and the Best Practice have in mind those ‘lucky’ people who will be interpreting at the forthcoming GC29 (a couple of whom are regular readers of this newsletter), but obviously these comments will apply pretty much equally to anyone who is called upon to interpret from one language to another in a Salesian situation, especially if it is an interprovincial, regional or international Salesian meeting. And anyone who is reading this newsletter will, at some time in their Salesian life, have been or will be called upon to fulfil this task. Interpreting is not the same as translating, as you will clearly see from the Best Practice
I said ‘lucky’ above, slightly tongue in cheek of course. Interpreting is a very demanding task, and just because someone is bilingual does not, per se, qualify them in this area. There are many skills involved. But it is truly a lucky task in a more positive sense. The kind of Salesian meeting or assembly you might be called upon to interpret would not be successful without you; you are one of the keys to its success! Think of it this way: you are a professional who is helping people to understand one another. Focus on that at every moment. I like to think of the Italian waiter at a good Italian restaurant who does not only serve you the food, but performs while doing it, often with a white napkin carefully draped over one arm, a voice modulated to entice you to enjoy what you are about to devour (and maybe offer a good tip!). It is a performance. Interpretation is too and since the profession is closely connected with public speaking, you are a professional public speaker performing in this situation.
Your task may involve three different kinds of interpreting: simultaneous (in a booth with equipment), consecutive, such as a group situation where someone speaks, then pauses while you translate what was said, and in a more private, whispered mode, where you are standing or sitting next to one or two people who need translation of what is being said. All of these modes of interpretation are involved at a General Chapter. But let’s focus on the ‘simultaneous’ mode.
What does this event look like (especially, say, for a major international meeting like a General Chapter)? You are in a booth with some basic equipment that can be on or off or ‘cough’, meaning it can be interrupted for a few seconds. You are probably alone, but others are beside or opposite you in booths, depending on how the meeting venue is structured. The booth is soundproof, and can be stuffy, but don’t kid yourself.... if you are a ‘boomer’ (talk too loud), your fellow interpreters will be forced to close their doors (the door is often left ajar to allow a bit of air to circulate). Your job is to listen and interpret simultaneously. That is the hard bit. It takes practice and development of particular skills. It is permissible for there to be a delay of up to 30 seconds, but usually you will want to interpret faster than that. After 20 or 30 minutes you will feel you need a break, but that may not be possible. In some instances there are 2 people in the booth, and they can work like this, 30 minutes at a time, then take a break while the other takes over, and so on throughout the day.
It is expected that you will have advanced knowledge of the language you are listening to and interpreting (almost always Italian as the ‘lingua franca’ of a major Salesian meeting). You will be good at stress management, since you are working under pressure, and those you are working with - I am referring to the speakers out there - are not necessarily helpful... they speak too fast, or they don't have good control of the language they are speaking in, their accent is difficult to grasp.... Your voice will need to be pleasant at all times and you will have to concentrate for lengthy periods....
The Best Practice is just a collection of little things learned over decades of doing this sort of thing. If it is helpful, then I am happy to have been able to help.
best_practice_44-simultaneous-interpretation.docx
