TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING II - Consecutive, Simultaneous, and Liaison Interpreting

Interpreting is an explanation of something that is not immediately obvious or understandable. Interpreting is a form of oral translation in which the rendering of the message is conducted immediately after the utterances delivered by the speaker, in special communication situation, to bridge participants` gap in language between the addressor and the addressee and the rendering is delivered by the help of an interpreter as a mediator. Or in simple words, interpreting is an oral re-expression of a message of source language (SL) into the target language (TL) in one time presentation.

In professional parlance, interpreting denotes the facilitating of communication from one language form into its equivalent, or approximate equivalent, in another language form; while interpretation denotes the actual product of this work, that is, the message thus rendered into speech, sign language, writing, non-manual signals, or other language form. This important distinction is observed in order to avoid confusion.

An interpreter is a person who converts a thought or expression in a source language into an expression with a comparable meaning in a target language in real time. The interpreter's function is to convey every semantic element (tone and register) and every intention and feeling of the message that the source-language speaker is directing to target-language recipients.

Interpreting has different modes that are conducted almost at the same time the message of the SL delivered. The stretch of time given to the interpreter is very short, so the interpreter should bear in mind the topic of the subject that is going to be interpreted, who are involved in the communication and the context of situation where the communication takes place. There are various modes of interpreting that can be distinguished either by the context in which it occurs (conference interpreting, court interpreting, community interpreting, liaison interpreting) or in the way in which it is carried out (consecutive interpreting, liaison interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, whispered interpreting / chuchotage). However, in this paper we are only going to elaborate three types of interpreting, those are consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and liaison interpreting.

I.       Definition of Consecutive, Simultaneous, and Liaison Interpreting

A.    Consecutive Interpreting

Consecutive interpreting is interpreting after the source-language utterance has been presented. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter sits near the speaker, listens to the speech and with the help of notes translates what the speaker says. This can last up to several minutes, which is why it is essential to master the note taking technique in order to efficiently reproduce everything the speaker says.

In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter listen to a (sometimes fairly lengthy) section of a speech delivered in source language, and makes notes; such notes tend to serve simply as a brief memory aid rather than being a shorthand transcription of all that is said. The speaker then pauses to allow the interpreter to render what has been said into target language; when the section has been interpreted, the speaker resumes with the next section, until the whole speech has been delivered and interpreted into target language. This is commonly used when there are just two languages at work. For instance, if the American and French presidents are having a discussion, the consecutive interpreter will interpret in both directions, French to English and English to French.

Consecutive interpreting has two subtypes, those are classic consecutive and short consecutive. In classic consecutive, the interpreter listens for about 5 minutes to a speaker and resumes in the target language on the bases of his/her notes (systematic note-taking). In contrast, in short consecutive, usually without note-taking, for person-to-person communication during which the interpreter sits near both parties (e.g. discussion between the presidents of France and the US: consecutive interpretation in both directions).

Consecutive interpreting thus entails a number of different abilities and skills, including a high level of source language comprehension, advanced note-taking skills, excellent general knowledge, an accurate memory and a confident manner of delivery.

B.     Simultaneous Interpreting

Simultaneous interpreting is interpreting as the source-language text is being presented by the speaker. In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter listens to a speech and simultaneously interprets it, using headphone and microphone while the speaker is still talking. The interpreter’s version is delivered almost at the same time as the original source, with a delay only as long as it takes for the interpreter to digest the meaning of the source. This is the favored technique for all formal meetings, since it eliminates time lag.

There are three major constraints that interpreters have to cope in simultaneous interpreting, those are:

1.      Simultaneous interpreting occurs at a pace dictated by the speaker.

2.      At any one time the interpreter will only have recourse to a small segment of the text; the interpreter will therefore often “play safe” in order to avoid creating potential problems later on.

3.      The interpreter may not possess the general of specialized knowledge which the speaker expects in the audience.

Simultaneous interpreters almost always work in teams of two or more. Simultaneous interpreters take turns switching on and off every 20 to 30 minutes. This is necessary because simultaneous interpretation is very challenging and is a mentally exhausting activity so the interpreters need to rest frequently. Having at least two of them working together allows the speaker to continue and helps to maintain a high quality in the level of interpretation.

Simultaneous interpreting is a process which allows people to communicate directly across language and cultural boundaries using specialized technology and professional interpreters who are trained to listen to one language while speaking simultaneously in another. Simultaneous interpreting is commonly used when there are numerous languages needed, such as international conferences, congresses, diplomatic proceedings, organisations, meetings, and seminars.

C.    Liaison Interpreting

Liaison interpreting is the prototypical constellation of interpreting as ‘three-party interaction’, with a (bilingual) interpreter who mediates between two individuals who do not speak each other’s language. Liaison interpreting is an oral translation of a statement that is usually used as a link between two people or small groups of people who speak different languages. Liaison interpreting normally occurs in a one-to-one setting and tends to be bi-directional; it is generally performed consecutively, although differs from consecutive proper in that the message is usually interpreted sentence by sentence and the interpreter does not therefore generally need to take notes.

During this type of interpreting there is no need to use specialized equipment. Usually the interpreter is sitting next to the person providing the speech and the interpreter is able to carefully and in detail convey without the necessity of using notes because of short passages. The speaker during liaison interpretation uses short phrases or sentences. This means that the speaker must take breaks long enough for the interpreter to provide translation in targeted language without notes and without the risk of omitting any details or distorting the meaning of the primary information. This is often called “sentence-by-sentence” interpretation.

A few decades ago liaison interpreting was regularly performed by untrained bilinguals; it is now acquiring a more professional profile in response to the increasingly multicultural and multilingual nature of many modern societies. Due to the high level of accuracy and the conditions of liaison interpreting, it is mostly used everywhere, where high attention to details is required, for example in court during the hearing of witnesses or experts and wherever it is difficult to take notes or where the speech is accompanied by a presentation. It can be also useful during legal consultation, guest relations and business or diplomatic meetings.

II.   Similarity Between Consecutive, Simultaneous, and Liaison Interpreting

Consecutive, simultaneous, and liaison interpreting have similarities; those are:

a.       Those three modes of interpreting are used in formal meetings, such as bilateral or diplomatic meetings between two leaders of countries, conferences, congresses, and legal consultation.

b.      Consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and liaison interpreting are three modes of interpreting in inter-social setting. Inter-social setting is setting or social context of interaction between members of different linguistic and cultural communities that cover broader areas of setting in which the activity carried out.

III.            Difference Between Consecutive, Simultaneous, and Liaison Interpreting

The differences between Consecutive, simultaneous, and liaison interpreting are shown on the table below:

No.	Consecutive Interpreting	Simultaneous Interpreting	Liaison Interpreting
1	The interpreter waits for the speaker to finish a sentence or an idea, and then renders the speaker's words into the target language.	The interpreter renders the speaker's words into the target language as the speaker is speaking. The interpreter interprets the speaker's words simultaneously.	The speaker uses short phrases or sentences and must take breaks long enough for the interpreter to provide translation in target language without notes and without the risk of omitting any details or distorting the meaning of the primary information.
2	The interpreter uses notes as the media in interpreting.	The interpreter uses headphone and microphone as the media in interpreting.	The interpreter does not use anything as the media in interpreting. It is no need to use specialized equipment.
3	Involving a small number of people.	There is no limit to the number of people who can participate because of the use of audio equipment.	Involving at least three people (the interpreter and two clients who cannot speak each other’s language)
4	The interpreter normally works alone.	The interpreter almost always works in teams of two or more.	The interpreter works alone, just as consecutive interpreting.
5	Commonly used at the events, such as: ·   Press conferences ·   Product and service presentations ·   Diplomatic meetings	Commonly used at the events, such as: ·   International conferences ·   Congresses ·   Diplomatic proceedings ·   Organisations ·   Meetings ·   Seminars	Commonly used at the events, such as: ·         Business meetings ·         Business trips ·         Trade fairs ·         Courts