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Long-term test preparation:
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Interpreters often take public speaking courses and/or engage in dramatic or
theatrical endeavors to gain confidence in speaking before an audience.
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Coursework in languages and interpreting techniques is highly recommended. A
person with entry-level college language skills in both languages is advised
to attend interpreting courses offered by qualified providers. Some educational
institutions provide training on the different techniques that will develop and
strengthen a student’s ability to perform all modes of interpreting. Such
institutions are best suited to monitor your interpretations and thereby ensure
that you are meeting established criteria for the interpreting venue you have
chosen. The schools also help you to acquire the specialized terminology
successful interpreters need.
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In an administrative hearing setting, interpreters are expected to handle a large
number of dates, numerical figures, and dollar amounts. Interpreters must be
able to take down numbers and read them back accurately.
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In a medical setting, interpreters are expected to handle medical terminology,
dates, and patient instructions.
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Visit administrative hearing and medical sites (where appropriate) and practice
interpreting the proceedings.
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Immerse yourself in the culture of both languages until you are thoroughly
comfortable with the idioms and colloquialisms of each. Not transitioning easily
between languages is an indication of limited language skills.
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Short-term test preparation:
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Visit and observe interpreters on the job where possible; find out which
administrative hearings are open to the public.
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Watch television programs taped in Spanish-speaking countries.
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Tape record or videotape your renditions to evaluate your performance for
accuracy, clarity, coherence, and to build confidence.
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Listen to English language media broadcasts.
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Exam day preparation:
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As with the written test, be sure to get plenty of rest the night before the
exam.
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Warm up prior to taking the test by practicing interpreting aloud.
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Keep up with the pace of the source material and be sure to render the
information accurately.
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If you make a mistake, correct it as soon as possible and move on quickly to
avoid the risk of future errors.
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Take notes on non-contextual information such as names, dates, numbers, times,
etc.
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Specific Tips On:
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Consecutive Interpretation
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Strengthen your retention skills. The administrative hearing interpreter exam
requires the interpreter to retain speech up to 40 words in length. The medical
interpreter exam requires the interpreter to retain speech up to 30 words in length.
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To enhance your retention skills, develop a note-taking technique that works for
you. Note taking is an aid to the interpreter when it is second nature. It is very
hard to improvise abbreviations and symbols on the spur of the moment.
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Always be ready with pencil and notepad in hand.
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Interpreters generally perform better on the consecutive translation if they become
immersed in the situation at hand (e.g., role play). Try to see in your mind the
events that are unfolding through the script. Imagine that you are a participant in
the dialog.
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Stay focused - concentrate; it is imperative that you not let your mind wander. It
takes time to develop this discipline.
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Speak clearly and audibly; people requiring the services of an interpreter need and
deserve clarity.
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Ask for a repeat if you are concerned you may make an error. It is better to ask for
a repeat than to be inaccurate.
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Sight Translation
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Take advantage of the time you are allowed to read the passage. First, scan the entire
passage for meaning. Concentrate on what the passage says, and then concentrate on
finding the closest equivalent in the target language.
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In the initial reading, write down any terminology that you are unable to easily
translate at first sight. If you cannot think of the exact equivalent in the target
language, explain the term; if you cannot explain the term, read it in the target
language and continue. Do not take up a great portion of your allotted time trying to
think of a word that, for the moment, escapes you.
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During the initial reading, identify and anticipate areas where syntax may be a
problem such as passive voice, use of the subjunctive, number and sequence of
qualifiers/adjectives, etc. (e.g., the two, red, Italian, convertible sports cars).
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Read carefully; it is unacceptable for an interpreter to make mistakes on items such
as dates, numbers, and names.
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Documents used in the exam are taken directly from authentic sources and include
specialized terminology. It is incumbent upon you to convey the meaning accurately.
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Learn to judge how much time has elapsed as you translate. Once you are aware of how
much time five minutes is, learn to pace yourself so that you do not unnecessarily
rush through your rendition or run out of time.
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Simultaneous Interpretation
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The simultaneous portion of the exam requires practice, practice, and more practice.
Listen to taped recordings at home using headphones and practice interpreting. This
will enable you to determine the best volume level for the recorded script and for
your own voice.
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Wait until you have heard a portion of the utterance before beginning your rendition.
Practice falling behind a certain number of words in order to avoid false starts and
changes of meaning that can detract from your attention and score. Most people need
to practice for hundreds of hours before they are able to perform this skill
competently. Interpreting schools are best suited to help you develop the necessary
skills.
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Keep focused; you may find it helps to sit up straight and keep objects that distract
you out of reach. You cannot afford to have your mind wander—practice concentration.
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Be aware of punctuation in your target language delivery (e.g., ensure that questions
are rendered as questions and statements are rendered as statements).
NOTE: Although you are instructed to render unknown terms in the
source language to maintain speed of rendition, doing so does not come without
consequence. Remember that you will be penalized for using too many source terms in
your interpretation. Using too many source terms will demonstrate to performance
raters an inability to render appropriate terms and your overall score will be
affected. Raters do not want you to sacrifice quality over speed of interpretation.
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Interpreter Test Preparation Materials Introduction |
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