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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 college-level language skills in both languages is advised
to attend interpreting courses offered by qualified providers. Some educational
institutions provide training on the different techniques (e.g., shadowing, décalage)
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 a court setting, interpreters are expected to handle a large number of dates,
numerical figures, and dollar amounts. Interpreters must be able to record numbers
and read them back accurately.
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Immerse yourself in the culture of both languages until you are thoroughly
comfortable with the idioms and colloquialisms of each. Your goal should be to
transition easily between languages.
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Watch television programs and listen to radio broadcasts taped in both English and the foreign language.
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Contact the interpreter coordinator at your local court. Ask to observe interpreters on the job
and learn about courtroom protocol.
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Practice consecutive and simultaneous interpretation with tapes designed exclusively for this purpose
and during television programs featuring trials and news broadcasts or news commentary radio
programs. Tapes from court reporting schools may also be used to practice simultaneous interpretation.
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Meet and talk with state certified court interpreters to learn more about their work and the skills
required to be a court interpreter. Ask them to recommend study material.
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Short-term test preparation:
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Visit and observe interpreters on the job where possible. Find out which
courts are open to the public and practice interpreting the proceedings.
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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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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
for a brief period of time.
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Specific Tips on:
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Consecutive Interpretation
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Strengthen your retention skills. The court interpreter exam
requires the interpreter to retain speech up to 40 words at a time.
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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. You are permitted six repetitions before performance
will be affected.
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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 translate
easily 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 four minutes is, learn to pace yourself so that you do not rush through your
rendition or run out of time.
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Translate written material in both languages (formal and informal) and have an expert
critique your work.
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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. 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).
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Keep up with 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 or omissions.
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If you miss a word either because you have fallen behind or do not know the word, choose
a strategy that enables you to recover as quickly as possible.
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Study Guide Introduction |
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