Naziya Muratbek
Interpreter's role in consecutive interpreting
Consecutive interpreting is a complex process that involves interpreting the
speaker's words after a short pause, allowing the interpreter to convey the message
accurately and efficiently. The interpreter plays a critical role in ensuring that the
communication between parties is successful. In this essay, I’m going to speak
about the interpreter's role in consecutive interpreting.
First and foremost, the interpreter's role in consecutive interpreting is to facilitate
communication between two parties who do not share a common language. The
interpreter must listen to the speaker's message and then convey it accurately in the
target language to the listener. The interpreter must understand the meaning and
intention behind the speaker's words and accurately convey it to the listener. This
requires the interpreter to have excellent listening and speaking skills in both the
source and target languages.
Another critical aspect of the interpreter's role in consecutive interpreting is to
remain neutral and impartial. The interpreter must not alter the message or add
their interpretation or opinion. They must interpret the message accurately and
neutrally, without any bias. This is essential in ensuring that the message is
conveyed objectively and that the listener receives the speaker's intended message.
Moreover, the interpreter's role in consecutive interpreting also involves managing
the flow of the conversation. They must ensure that the conversation proceeds
smoothly and that both parties have an opportunity to communicate effectively.
The interpreter may need to intervene and clarify any misunderstandings or ask the
speaker to repeat certain parts of their message if required.
The interpreter must also possess cultural sensitivity and awareness. They must be
aware of the cultural nuances of both the source and target languages to convey the
message accurately. Cultural differences may cause misunderstandings, and the
interpreter must be able to navigate these differences effectively.
In addition to the above, the interpreter's role in consecutive interpreting involves
preparing adequately for the assignment. They must research and understand the
topic, the context, and the terminology used to ensure that they can interpret the
message accurately. The interpreter must also ensure that they are familiar with
any cultural differences that may impact the conversation.
In conclusion, the interpreter's role in consecutive interpreting is a critical one.
They must facilitate communication between parties effectively, remain neutral
and impartial, manage the flow of the conversation, possess cultural sensitivity and
awareness, and prepare adequately for the assignment. The interpreter's ability to
interpret the message accurately and convey it effectively is essential in ensuring
successful communication between parties who do not share a common language.