SPAN-594 A Consecutive Interpretation SPRING 2016
Instruction: María Dolores Bolívar, Ph.D.
Classroom: SH205 (Storm Hall MAC Lab)
Class Meets: Tuesdays: 4:00-6:40 PM
Office: AL 171
Office Hours: Tuesdays: 2:00-3:30 PM
To Email me use Blackboard contact.
mbolivar@mail.sdsu.edu
Please, no phone calls.
Course Number: 23236
General description:
Consecutive interpretation techniques focusing on current events to include note taking
techniques for interpreters, preparation for meetings, language register, active listening, structure
of speech, and abstracting meaning. Students will work on specialized vocabulary to reflect the
professional field and the technology needed in the professional practice.
Prerequisites:
Spanish 350 or 391 with a grade of B (3.0) or better.
All upper division courses in Spanish are taught in Spanish unless otherwise stated.
Learning Outcomes:
Through lecture, discussion, critical thinking, writing, lexicographic work, blogging and oral
practice using real professional scenarios participants will:
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Assess the history and professional ecology of consecutive interpretation, and the
major fields it serves in the US -Medical and Health, Legal and Educational-.
Become familiar with consecutive interpretation as an activity and a process, as
compared to all other modalities of Interpretation.
Address theoretical and methodological concerns related to the specific modality of
consecutive interpretation.
Survey current issues in the professional practice, training, and certification of
consecutive interpreters.
Develop techniques and strategies effective in the practice of consecutive
interpretation.
Master the use of software, equipment, and technology available to consecutive
interpreters to include headphones, phone devices and cutting edge software
developed in the field.
Course Scope:
Actively seek to perfect the work languages (source and target) and to develop the basic
skills applicable to interpretation like memory, note taking, public speaking, analytical
observation and the transmission of accurate messages in the work languages.
Participants will be expected to practice and record their practices, and watch and critique
videos and film segments relevant to the profession. In addition to learning the specifics of
Consecutive Interpretation, they will be expected to keep themselves abreast with the
general field of Translation and Interpretation.
It is advisable that students attend and be exposed to conferences, and research a wide
range of subjects. (To this effect you may capitalize everything you learn in other classes
and maintain an interest in interdisciplinary experiences.)
Consecutive interpreters need to be ready to explore the socio-cultural, cognitive and
linguistic dimensions of their profession, and how it intersects with inter-disciplinary
research in language learning, linguistics, and translation studies. Ethical and Legal aspects
of the profession will be explored as part of the course.
A typical day in class will include:
 2 or 3 mini-lectures, held at different times.
 Listening and recording of measured segments of speech at which the student will
practice consecutive interpretation.
 Viewing of materials that will serve as instances to critique and write about in class
and hold discussions over.
 Teamwork both in-group and in-pairs to develop memory, voice and speed in
handling various situations in the field, to work on words and expressions, and to
develop a good understanding of the various specialized vocabularies a consecutive
interpreter is expected to have.
 Lab work, using technological resources available through the Lab.
All students need to plan to attend all of our meetings and for the entire duration of the
class. Mini lectures will be distributed as time allows and there is no way to predict what
students will miss should they choose to arrive late or leave early.
Partial attendance or full absences will hinder the participant’s ability to learn the materials
since this is a face-to-face class with a Blackboard/Moodle complement designed to provide
added resources and outside class work and preparation. Students are expected to have
access to Blackboard and Moodle and to check those resources for the syllabus,
announcements, schedule modifications, progress, grades, etc. Please consult me should
you need any help with accessing those platforms.
In addition to attending class, students should be aware of the need to spend time
preparing, reading, writing or practicing from home or at the Library or Lab. Reading the
newspaper and gaining access to publications directly related to the profession is expected.
You will also need to read daily, in your languages of work, to be informed and prepared
about topics of general interest.
Required for a grade:
The working tools –study cards, quizzes and homeworks- (20%).
The Recordings (20%).
The Blog (20%).
The Midterm (written) (20%)
The Final (written and oral) (20%)
1. The working tools 20%. The student will get 10 opportunities to complete homework,
study cards, quizzes (both on theoretical terms and on specialized vocabulary) and in class
exercises to gather up to 200 points in this category.
2. Recordings 20%
Every class there will be at least two opportunities to record speech rendition on very
specific exercises. Students will be responsible for uploading their recordings for a grade.
There will be 200 points earned in this category. Your grade will be based on the
assignments turned in and their quality, and you will not be able to complete them past the
deadline. Make sure you keep up with all weekly activities.
3. The Professional Blog 20%
Preparation for this assignment: Students will learn to develop a blog using resources
available online. This is not a personal blog, but a professional and dynamic portfolio. To
complete this assignment students will study professional blogs in the field of Interpreters
and launch their own blog based on their findings and original input.
Topics to be covered by student blogs might include, but are not limited to, learning and
assessment techniques, note taking, ethical, legal, linguistic issues relevant to the field and
how they intersect with the actual participants in the consecutive interpretation cycle.
Students will be graded on the following aspects. Though students will receive input on
their blogs, the grade in this section will be based on the presentation done in class, and not
on the specific entries the students will add based on their own criteria.
Please note this is a qualitative assignment, and its assessment will be based on the
following criteria:
 Demonstrated persistence in inserting themselves in the field by demonstrated
knowledge of tools and trends gathered through research. (20 points)
 Developing a professional persona by creating a field-based resume and elaborating
entries that will result in discussion and exchange with other class participants. (10
points)
 Actively engaging and discussing new information relevant to the field of
Consecutive Interpretation. (10 points)
 Reaching out to professional peers while learning the conventions to network and to
communicate in the field of Interpretation. (10 points)
 Using our Moodle Blog, students will develop and present their blogs to the class on
assigned slots distributed during our last three sessions. (50 points)
Additionally, this assignment is of a long-term range, and participants will not be able to
complete it last minute. Please manage your time so you can comfortably and actively seek
the input of the professor and of your classmates. Blog presentations will take place on the
last three sessions, 4/19-5/03 as time permits. You will sign up for a time slot of up to 5
minutes to present your blog.
4. Mid-term (20%)
Will be an exam on the terminology and lectures offered up to March 1st, and based on a
score of 200 points.
5. Final (20%)
Your final exam has two parts. It will take place on May 10, as per Finals Week Schedule.
The written part of your exam will be worth 100 points, and will assess the vocabulary,
protocol and conventions of interpretations in the main three fields requiring consecutive
interpretation today (to cover for the second part of our course, from 3/08, through 4/26
26. The oral part of your exam will be graded out of 100 points. Top ratings will be based
on 5 categories of up to 20 points each:
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The use of your professional voice and the effectiveness of your Note Taking
Techniques.
The impeccable use of vocabulary and grammar in the specialized fields presented
during the second part of our course –medical, legal and educational-.
A clean and professional rendition in the consecutive modality.
Uses of conventions and appropriate criteria to resolve difficulties.
Ease and ability to remain invisible throughout the communication process.
The oral component will be recorded and students will be responsible for uploading their
recording properly, and turning in their notes.
Required textbook and other materials:
Note-Taking Manual
A Study Guide for Intepreters and Everyone Who Takes Notes
Interpretrain. www.Interpretrain.com by Virginia Valencia.
You need access to two reputable newspapers one in each of your work languages, and
access Moodle and Blackboard so you can read or view assigned materials. Suggested
newspapers are El País, La Nación, La Jornada, or The New York Times, The Washington
Post.
Other materials:
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Come prepared with one stenobook, wiredbound, 6 by 9 in.
(or 5 by 8 writing pads, to substitute).
200 flash cards.
Two working pens in excellent condition. In spite of all technological
advancements, Consecutive Interpreters need to take notes and will be
always dependent on the functionality and smoothness of their pens.
Suggested Reading:
In addition to the manual you need to access the dictation recordings. I will have them
available for you to use at the Lab. You may also purchase them for your use at home, at the
book store or through www.Interpretrain.com online.
10 Lessons to Excel at Consecutive Interpretation, A Comprehensive Multi-Media Program
for All Levels. www.Interpretrain.com by Virginia Valencia.
Mikkelson, Holly, and Jourdenais, Renée. The Routledge Handbook of Interpreting,
Routledge, 2015. (For ongoing learning, not required for this class)
Cheating and Plagiarism:
There is zero tolerance in this class for cheating and plagiarism. Plagiarism can be described
as taking another person’s ideas or writings (as well as material from the Web) and
presenting them as your own through unethical or unauthorized behavior. Cheating
includes any unethical behavior while completing any type of assignment. For more
information, visit p. 483 in the current SDSU General Catalog or
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/cheating-plagiarism.html
Please contact me if you have any questions about any part of this syllabus.
Student Disability Services:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this
class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473.
Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon
disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
CLASS CALENDAR—SPRING 2016
CM DATE TUESDAYS 4:00-6:40 (weekly meetings)
1
1/26 Lec. The challenges of consecutive interpretation and how Consecutive
Interpretation compares to other modalities of Interpretation and Translation.
Lec. Training and professionalizing the consecutive interpreter.
Exercise: Spelling professionally.
2
2/2
Lec. Consecutive Interpretation in the map of the professional interpreter.
Work Languages, Language register and localization.
Lec. Service professions and The Ethical Code of the Interpreter.
Lec. Introduction of NTI.
3
2/9
Lec. Theoretical and methodological concerns related to the specific modality
of consecutive interpretation.
Lec. Voice, language skills, short and long term memory, taking turns,
interpreter´s neutrality and invisibility.
Lec. The Interpreter´s Protocol.
4
2/16 Lec. Consecutive Interpretation, skills and challenges. Self management, auto
assessment and supervision.
Lec. Expanding your knowledge as an ongoing process.
5
2/23 Lec. The advent of Technology. Technology Assisted Translation.
Lec. A look at phone interpretation and working at a remote station. The tools,
the responsibility of the Interpreter.
6
3/1
Mid Term
7
3/8
Lec. Lexicography and Translation. Acquiring Specialized Vocabulary.
The consecutive interpreter serving the Health and Medical Fields.
8
3/15 Lec. Visibility/invisibility of the interpreter, the social role of interpreters and
their trade.
Lec. The consecutive interpreter serving the Educational Institutions.
9
3/22 Lec. Getting familiar with the social networks. Blogs, Newsletters, Online
Visibility and Portfolio, other resources.
Lec. The consecutive interpreter serving the Legal Field.
SB 3/29 No class this week.
10 4/5
Lec. Interdisciplinary sensibility. The codes in place for interdisciplinary work.
The qualification exam to work on State and Federal Courts.
11 4/12 Lec. Interpretation, career and process. Professional Certification, The Job
Application.
12 4/19 Lec. Interpreters plays many roles and none. Crafting the unique role of the
consecutive interpreter. Presentation of Blogs.
13 4/26 Lec. Professional Ecology of Interpretation. Interpretation and Society. The
major fields requiring of consecutive interpreters in the US. Presentation of
Blogs.
14 5/3
Presentation of Blogs.
15 5/10 FINAL EXAM (Written and Oral).