Consecutive Interpreting Techniques Flashcards
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Which of the following best describes the concept of 'lag time' in consecutive interpreting?
Answer: The interval between the end of the source message and the start of the interpretation
Lag time (also called décalage) is the deliberate delay between hearing the source message and beginning to render it in the target language.
A patient in a medical interview uses highly technical medical terminology the interpreter does not know. What is the appropriate consecutive interpreting response?
Answer: Use the source-language term in the target-language output and clarify if needed
Retaining and voicing the source-language technical term preserves the speaker's message while allowing the provider to clarify its meaning if necessary.
Why is register maintenance important in consecutive interpreting?
Answer: It ensures the formality and tone of the source message is preserved in the target language
Register maintenance means reproducing the appropriate level of formality, technicality, and tone so that the target-language listener receives the same message quality as the source-language speaker intended.
An interpreter is working in a social services interview where the client provides a very long, emotionally intense monologue. What is the best approach?
Answer: Interrupt frequently to keep segments manageable
Frequent, polite segmentation preserves accuracy since memory capacity is finite; omitting emotion or waiting too long risks losing critical content.
What is the recommended technique for handling numbers, dates, and proper names in consecutive interpreting notes?
Answer: Write them exactly as heard in numerals or original form
Numbers, dates, and proper names must be captured exactly as spoken because approximations or omissions can cause serious errors in legal, medical, or administrative contexts.
What does self-monitoring mean for a consecutive interpreter during delivery?
Answer: Checking the accuracy and completeness of the target-language output in real time
Self-monitoring involves actively evaluating whether the interpretation being delivered accurately reflects the source message while simultaneously managing fluency.
When should a consecutive interpreter request clarification from a speaker?
Answer: When ambiguity would result in an inaccurate or misleading interpretation
Clarification should be requested when ambiguity would compromise the accuracy of the interpretation, not for every unfamiliar term that can be reasonably inferred from context.