Durch William Moss

Imagethief wendet mit Interpreten viel Zeit arbeiten auf, da Sie erwarten würden. Deutung ist eine jener Sachen, daß sie scheint, daß niemand überhaupt mit völlig glücklich ist. Jemand fühlt immer wie etwas wesentlicher Punkt, oder Nuance bildete ihn nicht durch. Dieses ist gelegentlich zutreffend. Aber wir arbeiten mit einigen hübschen erfahrenen Interpreten und die meisten der Zeit die Resultate sind gut.

Ein Klient bat mich vor kurzem, einige Tips auf dem Arbeiten mit Interpreten zu versehen. Ich hatte häufig einen Punkt oder so auf dieses in Anweisung Bücher, besonders für execs gesetzt, denen nicht mit Interpreten vor gearbeitet hatte, aber ich dachte nie wirklich systematisch an es. Dieser Klient trieb mich an, gerade den zu tun. Betrachtend, wie entscheidende Deutung zu unserer Arbeit ist, war dieses überfällig.

Ich dachte, daß ich teilen würde, was ich oben mit kam und sehe, wenn es irgendwelche weiteren Gedanken oder Diskussion erzeugt. Eine Menge dieses ist gesunder Menschenverstand, da Sie sehen. Alle mögliche Interpreten oder Mieterinterpreten, die Imagethief lesen, sind willkommen zu kommentieren.

Ich bin zu William (ein anderer William), zu einem alten Freund von mir und zum regelmäßigen commenter auf Imagethief, das geschieht, ein erfahrener professioneller Interpret zu sein, denn dem Teilen seiner Gedanken mit mir verschuldet, wie ich dieses entwickelte.

Sind hier Richtlinien Imagethiefs für das Arbeiten mit Interpreten:

Geben Sie dem Interpreten die Zeit und die Materialien, die sie sich vorbereiten müssen
Jede Firma und Industrie hat seinen eigenen fachkundigen Satz Sprache, Bezeichnungen und sogar Fachsprache. Interpreten können möglicherweise nicht mit diesem vertraut notwendigerweise sein, bevor sie mit Ihrer Firma arbeiten. Make sure that interpreters are given a selection of printed materials in both languages that they can study prior to any event. The more specific these materials are to the substance of your speech or discussion the better. Technical materials can be especially important. Where possible, give them complete text of speeches and press announcements in advance. Even if you advise them to translate as actually delivered, the materials will help them prepare and provide the best possible translation.

It is also a good idea to meet with interpreters for a few minutes prior to an event so they can get an idea of your accent and rhythms of speech and ask any questions they may have.

Find two or three interpreters you like and stick with them where possible
Once an interpreter is used to your company, style and language, it will be much easier for them to prepare for subsequent events and deliver solid results. Where possible, groom a pool of two or three interpreters over time so you have multiple options handy.

Budget for time when using consecutive interpretation
A forty minute speaking slot with consecutive interpretation leaves time for a twenty-minute speech. A Twenty minute Q&A with consecutive interpretation is really a ten-minute Q&A. And so on. Plan accordingly, especially when deciding how much time to allow for media or audience questions.

Understand the differences between consecutive and simultaneous interpretation
There are two kinds of interpretation, consecutive and simultaneous. Consecutive interpretation is where you say something and then wait while an interpreter nearby repeats it. Simultaneous interpretation (“UN-style”) is where you say something and it is translated simultaneously by an interpreter in a soundproof booth, who can be heard over headsets worn by audience members. Both are commonly used in China. Both have the same demands for preparation and familiarity. Simultaneous interpretation is more expensive, technically demanding and often a little less accurate (no do-overs or correction). It does, however, preserve the flow of a speech or presentation as a speaker need not wait for interpretation to catch up. Consecutive interpretation is cheaper, more flexible and forgiving. It does force a speaker to pace themselves, however.

In general consecutive translation is used for smaller or more intimate events or where budget or technical constraints make simultaneous interpretation impractical. It is also often a better choice when translation has to be particularly accurate. Simultaneous interpretation is generally better for large events and mixed audiences where interpretation has to go in both directions, and where time constraints make consecutive interpretation impractical. It is also the only choice when something needs to be translated into multiple languages for an audience.

When dealing with consecutive interpretation, mind your pacing
Enthusiastic executives sometimes forget about the interpretation and ramble on. Stay mindful of the interpreter and keep each statement to a paragraph or a few sentences. Pacing is valuable not only for the interpreter but also for the audience. Remember that some or all of them can’t understand you. If they have to wait too long for the interpretation their attention may begin to wander.

There is no hard and fast rule for how often to break. A greeting can be interpreted after one sentence. A complex chain of thought might go on for one or two minutes. Look for subject or pace changes as natural breaking points, and discuss it with your interpreter beforehand if possible. Don’t err too far on the side of caution and speak one sentence at a time. An interpreter will often require a few sentences for context in order to provide an accurate translation. While pacing for translation can feel like it disrupts the flow of a speech or presentation, you can rapidly grow accustomed to it.

You do have room for flexibility. A good interpreter who takes careful notes can listen for quite a long period of time and still capture what you are saying. Nevertheless, until you know an interpreter’s capabilities it’s a good idea to keep each statement relatively short. If you are working from a prepared text, mark potential break points in advance. While a good interpreter can follow natural speech comfortably, make sure your pace stays measured. If you are delivering particularly technical or complex messages, ensure that you give the interpreter a little extra space to work with.

It may not be a good idea to have someone from inside your company interpret
Good interpreters are trained and experienced. Interpreting well requires more than simply knowing both languages; it also requires a systematic approach to note taking, capturing key points and preserving the essence of meaning in statements and idioms that may not cross cultures. Also, while someone from inside your company may know your terminology well, they may either forget they are interpreting (we have seen this happen) or introduce their own biases into interpretation. They may also not have the note-taking rigor of a trained interpreter.

There may be times when it makes sense to have an employee or PR consultant translate, such as in particularly sensitive or confidential situations, or in informal situations where the discussion is casual or brief. But most of the time a professional interpreter will be the best choice.

Don’t be surprised if the interpretation isn’t totally exact
Interpretation is an inexact science, especially as it is a “live” process. An interpreter at an event, who can see facial expressions and sense the atmosphere of an event, might translate differently than someone working from a written transcript of an event. Fast speakers may also find that details get filtered out in favor of key points.

Good interpretation carries the facts and essential tone of a speaker’s message. It may not capture specific phrases or even the exact arrangement of ideas. This can be due to the demands of different languages, the need to work around cultural issues, or the fundamental limitations of the interpretation process. Warn spokespeople who may see their speeches or Q&A back-translated into English that what they are reading has been translated twice, and may not exactly reflect what they remember.

Although interpretation is inexact, you do have the right to demand accuracy. Don’t work with an interpreter who is error prone or introduces their own bias or ideas into interpretation. But also do what you can to make the interpreter successful.

Don’t daisy-chain interpreters
People sometimes want to do this when they can’t find just the interpreter they need in China. If they can’t find a Korean-to-English interpreter here, they consider using a Korean-to-Mandarin interpreter and then a Mandarin-to-English interpreter. In this situation you’d be better off flying somebody in from Korea, or wherever. It will be worth the money. Your event will be an order of magnitude less awkward and your interpretation more accurate. You ever play “telephone”?

Never assume the audience doesn’t speak your language
Just because you are working with interpreters don’t assume no one in the audience speaks English. Many Chinese people, especially in professional circles, understand some English. They may understand it much better than they can speak it. Even when working with an interpreter, assume the audience understands you. Have a local staff member vet your English speech or presentation for cultural appropriateness beforehand, and don’t assume an interpreter will correct problems.

Review interpretation after an event and see what problems need to be addressed next time
After working with interpreters, sit down with your local staff and the interpreters as well if possible and review the delivery for any problems or pitfalls that should be addressed in future. If local staff members complain about interpretation, make them be specific about their complaints. Complaining about interpreters is a favorite sport since the quality of interpretation is a rather subjective thing. Learn to differentiate real problems –issues of substance or accuracy– from disagreements over style or word-choice.

Blaming the interpreter is not an acceptable PR defense
Unless you want to accuse your own PR staff or (gulp) agency of incompetence in the process. A well prepared interpreter should not cause you PR problems. If you are dealing with sensitive information, such as financial or crisis situations, pre-event preparation should be appropriately thorough and your own Chinese-speaking staff should monitor interpretation for accuracy during the event and intervene if clarification is necessary.

For more advice see the International Association of Conference Interpreters’ (AIIC) guidelines at http://www.aiic.net/ViewPage.cfm/page29.htm. These are oriented toward simultaneous interpretation, but have some broadly applicable points. It includes such helpful hints as a reminder not to test microphones by tapping on them or blowing into them when simultaneous interpreters are listening to the audio feed over headphones.

William Moss, Imagethief