CONSECUTIVE

INTERPRETATION

SKILL BUILDING
COURSE

2021
AGENDA
• Introduction to Consecutive Interpretation
• Skill Building Exercises
• Memory Retention
• Delivery Skills
• Emphasis and Pitch
• Note-Taking
• Consecutive Interpretation Exercises
• External Resources

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INSTRUCTIONS

The course contains audio exercises for practice.

Equipment needed:
• headphones or speakers for your computer
• note taking materials
• dictionary

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INTRODUCTION TO CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION (CI)

• Interpretation has been used for the past two millennia in legal
and business proceedings. French was the language of
diplomacy until the First World War.
• The use of English increased shortly afterwards and French and
English were adopted as the official languages in the institutions
derived from the Paris Conference: the League of Nations, the
Permanent Court of International Justice and the International
Labor Office (ILO).
• This led to the birth of modern conference interpretation.

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• The League of Nations was the first international organization to have
staff interpreters and contract freelance interpreters.

• Interpretation in those early days was mainly consecutive. Interpreters

listened first to the original speech and then delivered it in the other
language from the same podium as the speaker. Average length of
speeches was over one hour and note taking was considered a sign of
a weak memory in those days!

• Simultaneous interpretation gained popularity for international events

in the1950s due to time constraints. However, consecutive
interpretation remains the preferred mode for several settings
including testimony in courtroom hearings.

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WHAT IS CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION (CI)?

• In Consecutive Interpretation (CI), the speaker and

the interpreter take turns speaking.

• The interpreter interprets after the source-language

speaker has finished speaking.

• When the speaker pauses, the interpreter renders

the message in the target language.

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SKILLS NEEDED FOR CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION
• Good Active Listening and Concentration: ability to listen at a high level of concentration; ability to
focus on the speaker and ignore distractions

• Comprehension and Analytical Skills: ability to decipher the meaning of the message completely and
accurately under time constraints

• Memory Skills: ability to retain the message long enough to render it completely and accurately in the
target language

• Note-taking Skills: ability to take good notes which will enhance your memory. Learn to take notes of
numbers, dates, lists and key words to aid your recollection

• Language Transfer Skills (reformulation): the ability to rapidly find the equivalent in the target language

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SKILLS NEEDED FOR CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION (II)

• Clear and Audible Speech: ability to be heard and be understood by the audience with little effort

• Cultural Awareness: be able to understand any culturally specific references and concepts

• Knowledge of Subject Matter (extra linguistic knowledge and prediction ability): interpretation
requires knowledge of the subject matter and terminology

• Stamina: ability to provide high quality interpretation for the duration of the assignment

• Ability to Cope with Stress: balance the interpretation task and related factors, such as emotionally
charged subject matter and settings

• Adaptability: ability to adapt and perform according to specific requirements in a variety of

settings

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MEMORY EXERCISES IN ENGLISH

• Let us start by remembering and repeating short phrases in English. You

will repeat each statement after the speaker in the same language.

• These exercises will enhance your listening skills, short term memory
retention and pronunciation. Concentrate on accuracy; however, don’t
forget to enunciate your words and to focus on your delivery.

• Once you are able to remember and repeat small phrases accurately, we
can begin practicing actual interpretation.

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MEMORY EXERCISES: GENERAL

 This is a 6-minute fast-paced exercise.

 Click on the icon.

 An uninterrupted series of words will start playing.

 Listen to each word and repeat each word in English.

 Keep the pace with the speaker.

 Repeat the exercise 3 times.

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SURVIVAL TIP:

 Do you know the meaning of each one of the

words/terms in the previous exercise?

 Please take time to write them down on a piece

of paper and look them up.

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MEMORY EXERCISES: QUESTIONS I 1

Click on each icon.

3
An uninterrupted series of questions will play.

Listen to each question and repeat them in English.

4

Keep the pace with the speaker.

5
Repeat the exercise 3 times.

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MEMORY EXERCISES: QUESTIONS II 7

Click on each icon.

9
An uninterrupted series of questions will play.

Listen to each question and repeat them in English.

10

Keep the pace with the speaker.

11
Repeat the exercise 3 times.

12

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SURVIVAL TIP II:

 Do you know the meaning of each one of the

words/terms in the previous exercise?

 Please take time to write them down on a piece

of paper and look them up.

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DELIVERY SKILLS
If a listener cannot understand the interpreter, all the other qualities
of the interpreter become irrelevant.

In addition to rendering accurate and complete interpretation,

interpreters should:

• Reproduce the speaker’s tone, style and voice projection.

• Always examine your interpretation to ensure it is as coherent as the
original statement.
• Work to avoid abrupt starts and endings and achieve a smooth pace.

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EMPHASIS AND PITCH
Consider how this simple sentence can vary with a change in emphasis:

LUCY is getting married to Peter at the court today.

Lucy and not, Virginia or Rachel is marrying Peter.

Lucy is getting married to PETER at the court today.

Peter and not, John or Robert is marrying Lucy.

Lucy is getting married to Peter AT THE COURT today.

They are not getting married at the church.

Lucy is getting MARRIED to Peter at the court today.

They are not just dating or going out. They are getting married!

Lucy is getting married to Peter at the court TODAY.

It is happening today, not tomorrow or next month.

The interpreter must be careful to convey the speaker’s tone and meaning.
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NOTE-TAKING. WHAT SHOULD I WRITE DOWN?

The interpreter will always write down:

• Names, addresses, and numbers

• Keywords: focus on the concept

• Lists: a string of names, events or numbers that would be hard to

remember

• Non-contextual information, like a license plate number

Do not take down every word; note down keywords and concepts to
help jog your memory
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CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION. EXERCISES.

The following section will present you with some general vocabulary, common
questions and short dialogues.

• Have a notepad ready to take notes.

• Write down names, addresses, and numbers.

• Try to keep the same pace and tone of the speaker.

• Do not embellish.

• Do not omit anything or paraphrase.

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INTERPRETATION EXERCISES I 1
VOCABULARY

Click on each icon.

3
Listen to each word and interpret each word into your

language. 4

Repeat the exercise 3 times.

5

Fast 6

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INTERPRETATION EXERCISES II 1
QUESTIONS

2
Click on each icon.
A short dialogue will play. 3

Listen to each statement and interpret them in your target

4
language.
Keep the pace and register with the speakers. 5

Repeat the exercise 3 times.

6

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INTERPRETATION EXERCISES III 7
SHORT DIALOGUES

8
Click on each icon.
A short dialogue will play. 9

Listen to each statement and interpret them in your target

10
language.
Keep the pace and register with the speakers. 11

Repeat the exercise 3 times.

12

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SELF EVALUATION: HOW DID YOU DO?

There are several resources available online to help you improve your skills.

We recommend the following free sites to help you with your professional advancement:

English Language Development

Intricacies of English grammar including the correct use of prepositions. Graphics and diagrams illustrate different scenarios.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/eslprep.html

Online English lessons & ESL / EFL resources

Skill building exercises www.englishpage.com

Merriam-Webster
Request the pronunciation of a particular word by looking up the word and clicking on the audio button to hear the correct pronunciation

www.m-w.com

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Thank you for taking the time to complete this
course!

Please send your questions or concerns

to our Interpreter Help inbox at
[email protected]

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