CPI Sight Translation Techniques and Practice

Question 1

What is sight translation in the context of interpreting?

Accepted Answer

Translating a written document orally in real time

Answer

Interpreting a speaker's words while looking at notes

Answer

Providing a written translation of a spoken passage

Answer

Reading a pre-translated document aloud to the client

Question 2

In which of the following settings is sight translation most commonly requested of a CPI?

Accepted Answer

Legal, medical, and social service appointments

Answer

International diplomatic conferences

Answer

Literary readings and book tours

Answer

Live broadcast journalism

Question 3

What is the 'eye-voice span' and why does it matter in sight translation?

Accepted Answer

The gap between where the eye reads on the page and where the voice is in the spoken rendition

Answer

The distance between the interpreter and the speaker during a session

Answer

The volume level an interpreter uses to project over background noise

Answer

The time it takes to scan a full page before beginning to speak

Question 4

How does sight translation differ from consecutive interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Sight translation involves rendering a written text orally; consecutive renders spoken speech after a pause

Answer

Sight translation is performed simultaneously with a speaker; consecutive is not

Answer

Consecutive requires note-taking, whereas sight translation never does

Answer

They are identical except for the language pair involved

Question 5

Which technique helps an interpreter manage complex sentence structures during sight translation?

Accepted Answer

Chunking — breaking the text into meaningful units before vocalizing

Answer

Skipping subordinate clauses to maintain speed

Answer

Summarizing paragraphs rather than translating sentence by sentence

Answer

Replacing all passive constructions with active voice automatically

Question 6

What should a CPI do before beginning a sight translation of a lengthy legal document?

Accepted Answer

Ask permission to briefly scan the document to identify its structure and key terminology

Answer

Begin translating immediately to respect the client's time

Answer

Summarize the document's purpose without reading the full text

Answer

Decline and request a certified written translation instead

Question 7

When an interpreter encounters an unfamiliar term during sight translation, what is the best course of action?

Accepted Answer

Pause, render the original term, and note that clarification may be needed

Answer

Omit the term and continue without interruption

Answer

Invent a plausible translation based on context

Answer

Stop the session and refuse to continue until a glossary is provided