The Complete Interpreter

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Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is for interpreter trainers.

I've tried to think about which approaches I think are successful in the classroom, and which are likely to yield less good results:

- telling rather than showing

- never moving on from the 'what' to the 'why' and 'how' when giving feedback

- taking too long over feedback

- making each class a test

Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!
 
Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Support the show

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is dedicated to interpreters who work into a B language ('retourists').

Based on my experience of coaching retourists, I've drawn up a list of approaches that I think don't necessary yield the best results:

- not using intonation strategically

-not doing enough language enhancement

- not doing any B > B practice

- focusing too much on vocabulary to the detriment of interpreting technique

Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!
 
Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Sign up for my workshop to create an action plan for the EU test

Support the show

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is dedicated to creating a stress management strategy ahead of an important exam, e.g. the EU's interinstitutional accreditation test, or the UN test for freelances.

DISCLAIMER: I am neither a doctor nor a psychologist. My background is in personal fitness training and nutrition. Where I suggest exercise, diet changes, or supplements, please exercise common sense and consult your doctor first.

I have added chapter markers so you can find your way around. Here are the aspects I've addressed:

• The four pillars of health, without which stress management techniques are a sticking plaster
• identifying stressors: drainers and nourishers
• motivation
• habituation
• stress management techniques for stressful situations
• mindset
• on the day
• summary: creating rituals

If you'd like more detail on the techniques I mention in the podcast, or you want to discover more powerful mind/body techniques, you can access my e-course here.

Use the coupon EUtestcoupon for a 50% discount!

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Sign up for my workshop on salami technique, 8th May 2025 6.30 pm (UK)

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is about relay: what annoys you when you're taking relay, what you find helpful, and your tips for being a good relay for other interpreters.

It covers the same content as a shorter episode, but with more thoughts, stories, explanations...and echoey sound! You can find the shorter version here.

This was the first time I ran a survey so I could incorporate your thoughts and experiences into the podcast, and I really enjoyed it! Many thanks to everyone who contributed.

Your top pet peeves were:

1. Relay too fast/read out
2. "undigested", relay follows syntax of original, leaves words in original language etc.
3. unclear pronunciation/strong accent
4. too hesitant, lots of pauses
5. unfinished sentences
6. mumbling/poor enunciation
7. convoluted syntax, chaotic
8. not quick enough off the mark, or not releasing the channel fast enough at the end

The top things you found helpful when taking relay were:

1. "cleaning up" the output, i.e. salami/adding structure/KISS - basically, not being a parrot
2. clarity, avoiding ambiguity
3. pronunciation, especially of NAMES, figures, difficult concepts
4. clear enunciation
5. all sentences finished, complete ideas
6. 'good pace' - even
7. simple language, avoiding idioms
8. calm and confident
9. summarising/being concise
10. pausing between sentences, or using intonation to separate ideas
11. good intonation

More than 3/4 of respondents said they adapt their output when they know they are being taken on relay. Here are the top suggestions:

• Chunking!! Keep sentences short, with simple grammar.
• Remove padding and stick to the main point (i.e. simplify, edit)
• Pronounce names especially clearly (slow down); figures too
• Slow down
• Avoid weird and wonderful idioms
• Stay calm even if you don't feel calm
• Start quickly - don't leave relay-takers hanging

Some of the resources I mentioned in the podcast:

• My podcast episode about clarity in simultaneous
• My podcast episode about being concise in simultaneous
• This LinkedIn post by Ilhem Bezzaoucha about catching names when interpreting

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Sign up for my workshop on salami technique, 8th May 2025 6.30 pm (UK)

This episode is about relay: what annoys you when you're taking relay, what you find helpful, and your tips for being a good relay for other interpreters.

There's a longer version of this podcast if you're still thirsty for more. It covers the same content, but with more thoughts, stories, explanations...and echoey sound! 

You can find the longer version here.

This was the first time I ran a survey so I could incorporate your thoughts and experiences into the podcast, and I really enjoyed it! Many thanks to everyone who contributed.

Your top pet peeves were:

1. Relay too fast/read out
2. "undigested", relay follows syntax of original, leaves words in original language etc.
3. unclear pronunciation/strong accent
4. too hesitant, lots of pauses
5. unfinished sentences
6. mumbling/poor enunciation
7. convoluted syntax, chaotic
8. not quick enough off the mark, or not releasing the channel fast enough at the end

The top things you found helpful when taking relay were:

1. "cleaning up" the output, i.e. salami/adding structure/KISS - basically, not being a parrot
2. clarity, avoiding ambiguity
3. pronunciation, especially of NAMES, figures, difficult concepts
4. clear enunciation
5. all sentences finished, complete ideas
6. 'good pace' - even
7. simple language, avoiding idioms
8. calm and confident
9. summarising/being concise
10. pausing between sentences, or using intonation to separate ideas
11. good intonation

More than 3/4 of respondents said they adapt their output when they know they are being taken on relay. Here are the top suggestions:

• Chunking!! Keep sentences short, with simple grammar.
• Remove padding and stick to the main point (i.e. simplify, edit)
• Pronounce names especially clearly (slow down); figures too
• Slow down
• Avoid weird and wonderful idioms
• Stay calm even if you don't feel calm
• Start quickly - don't leave relay-takers hanging

Some of the resources I mentioned in the podcast:

• My podcast episode about clarity in simultaneous
• My podcast episode about being concise in simultaneous
• The longer, unedited version of this podcast with more stories, thoughts, quotes, etc.
• This LinkedIn post by Ilhem Bezzaoucha about catching names when interpreting

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is dedicated to impostor syndrome.

Here are some of the approaches I suggest (I've added chapter markers to help you navigate):

OBJECTIVE METHODS to fight negative self-talk

• Check the facts/zoom out
• Feedback (client, peer) - keep a file. Document your successes.
• Questioning your assumptions/expectations - journal of self-discovery
• Is my reaction based on fact or conjecture? Am I just making up stories in my heard?
• Develop the thought: does this person’s opinion matter to my happiness or job security? What would happen if they thought badly of me? 

PRACTISING SELF-COMPASSION

• How would you talk to a friend?
• Affirmations
• Learn to accept praise (thank you)
• Embrace progress, not perfection
• Celebrate your successes. Don’t belittle yourself.

GET HELP

• Open up to trusted people (and get a reality check or emotional support)
• Life coach or therapy – low self-esteem 

REDEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ i.e. progress, not perfection

• Challenge yourself to fail - did it hurt? e.g. write with wrong hand, art course.

CPD RESOURCES

• Andy Gillies fantastic CPD website: https://interpreterscpd.eu/contributors/
• Andy's post about doing simultaneous for his students
• Skilliga (directory of courses, webinars etc.)
• Rock your Retour - membership site for English retourists
• Stress management ecourse - 8 science-backed body techniques, 5 'mind' techniques to help you with performance anxiety

OTHER MATERIAL

• My blog post about art: "What art taught me about interpreter training"
• My podcast about what to do when you have a bad day in the booth

Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!
 
Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is dedicated to linguistic interference.

Here are some of the exercises I suggest:
- in simultaneous, start every sentence in a different place from the original.
- try making your EVS (décalage) longer.
- practise sight translation, giving yourself time to think about whether the output sounds natural.
- do gap filling exercises (Cloze tests).
- in simultaneous, press pause after an idea, then reformulate it, looking for concise and natural formulations, as opposed to parroting.
- work on your target language (collocations, particularly).
- when you encounter a tricky word to translate, where it's tempting to use a calque (e.g. précarité in French), look it up and consider the various contexts in which it is used. How can you make sure you're expressing the idea, rather than translating the word?
- think about how speakers frame/introduce ideas in your source language(s). Can you think of good ways to render these introductory phrases in your target language?


Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!
 
Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is dedicated to one of my hobby horses: analytical skills.

I gave several examples from a French speech on the EU's Speech Repository. It's by Michael Picq (speech number 32840).

Here are some of the exercises I suggest:
- listen to a speech and enter the information in a 4-column table (links, main info, secondary, details)
- listen to a speech then write the outline (e.g. bullet points)
- work on summarising texts/speeches
- do a 'bare bones' simultaneous, just getting the main ideas across
- pick an interview, listen to the question and the first few words of the answer. See if you can anticipate what the speaker will say next.
- gap filling exercises (Cloze)
- listen to a speech in chunks and ask yourself questions: why is the speaker saying this? What are they likely to say next? Is this fact or opinion? What biases does the speaker have? etc.
- get a speech transcript and annotate it. You can write little notes based on your background knowledge, or link parts of the speech with arrows, or circle the logical connectors, etc.

I highly recommend the Listening & Analysis resource on the ORCIT website (orcit.eu) for more 'theory' and exercises to help with analysis.

Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!
 
Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

In this episode, I talk about the strategies you might consider when interpreting from a language with a Subject-Object-Verb word order (e.g. Japanese) into a language with a Subject-Verb-Object order.

Look out for a rare outing from my German! 😁 There's a whole section you will probably want to skip [from 14:41 to 23:25] if you don't have German in your language combination. For those of you who want to brave it, here's the sentence I discuss:
"Trotz freundlichem Lächeln fürs Foto war den beiden Briten, angesichts des geänderten Blicks auf die Berge, eher zum Heulen zumute."

Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!
 
Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

In this episode, I talk about how conversation classes or 'language enhancement' can help you improve your B language, and the sorts of exercises you could do with your tutor, e.g. :
- preparing a speech in advance, and incorporating 4-5 phrases and one or two useful idioms
- watching a video or listening to a podcast, then giving an oral summary
- chatting about everyday stuff, e.g. an item you saw on the news
- role plays
- describing a picture, going from the more concrete to an abstract discussion
- listening to your tutor giving a rather informal speech, and turning it into a more formal register
gap filling exercises

Here's the link to my blog post (for interpreting students) about working constructively with a tutor.

Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!
 
Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at [email protected]