DPSI PREPARATION SEMINAR

The purpose of these notes is to help both candidates who are sitting the
Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) and centres which prepare them
for this Diploma. Although these notes expand and complement the training
video produced by the IoL Educational Trust for use by centres, they can be
used on their own. The notes are meant to be guidelines for best practices
and are based on good performances by candidates and professional
interpreters. The IoL Educational Trust hopes that the notes, which will be
revised on a regular basis, will positively assist candidates and centres.

N.B. Please note that these notes are also meant for candidates who are not
attached to any centre.

INTERPRETING

Interpreting is usually defined as a process involving the transfer of a

message from one language to another. In order to transfer a message,
however, interpreters need to be able to understand and speak both
languages very well, as well as having an in-depth knowledge of both
cultures.

Knowledge of Chosen DPSI Option

The second requirement to successfully sit the DPSI is a solid general
knowledge of the chosen option(s): Law, Local Government and Health (see
also the Recommended Bibliography on Interpreting on this website. This
knowledge can be acquired by reading semi-specialised articles and
magazines on the subjects (in both languages), consulting relevant websites
and being aware of the peculiarities of both cultures. For instance, the UK law,
known as Common Law, has a totally different approach from the French droit
or the German Recht. Another example would be the different frequencies
with which languages use Latin-based words to indicate medical conditions.
Obviously, Public Service interpreters have to be aware of these major
differences. It goes without saying that consulting previous DPSI exams would
assist in candidates’ preparation. An order form for past papers can be
downloaded from the Institute’s website, www.iol.org.uk. Alternatively, past
papers can be ordered directly from PWP FS Print and Design, tel: 01992
503821, e-mail: [email protected].
Showing Confidence and Being Presentable

Even though this might sound patronising, it is important that candidates walk
into the room where they will be tested looking confident, smiling and
presentable without going over the top. This is because the DPSI is a
professional qualification and, therefore, confidence, affability and
presentability would immediately help interpreters gain the trust of their clients
who, after all, will be paying for their services. It is also important that
candidates acquire techniques, that they will need when practising as
interpreters, in order to keep their nerves under control. Being nervous during
an exam is quite normal and some allowances are made for this. If, for
example, in exceptional circumstances, a candidate felt they needed a break,
then they would of course be marked down but would not necessarily be
failed. A useful ‘trick’ to control nerves is to try and keep one’s back straight
(candidates will also come across more confident if they have an erect
posture) and to learn to breathe into the stomach.

In order to assist candidates and, hopefully, make them feel more confident
on the day of the exam, it is useful to know what the recommended layout of
the exam room is like.

Room Layout

Interlocutor

Table 1

Microphone
Candidate
Table
2

Oral
Examiner Interlocutor

.
Preparation at the Exam

Candidates are given 5 minutes to study the notes on the two role plays in
which they will be asked to interpret consecutively and “simultaneously”, i.e.
by whispering the interpretation to the interlocutors. Reading the notes is
important because they set the context of the role plays and give some basic
ideas to candidates as to what to expect. During these 5 minutes, candidates
can do some “inner brainstorming” and try and recall (perhaps jotting them
down on a note pad) the terms that might be associated with the situations.
For instance, if the notes say “You will act as an interpreter between a duty
solicitor in a Magistrate’s Court and a non-English-speaking client who has
been arrested and charged by police following a visit to a football match”,
candidates might want to jot down the translation of “duty solicitor”, “Legal
Aid”, “racist chanting” and so forth.

Looking Professional

While interpreting it is also important not to come across sloppy and casual
but, for instance, to sit upright (this would also help with concentration) and
show interest in what is going on (without being overbearing and
overpowering). Treating the exam as if it was a real-life situation will definitely
help in adopting a professional attitude and approach. It is also strongly
recommended that candidates make an effort at making eye contact with the
interlocutors while interpreting as, again, this will show involvement in the
interpreting situation and will also assist in building trust towards the
candidates. It will also make the interpretation much more credible and
acceptable.

Another small but significant point to stress is the use of a note pad whilst
interpreting. Sometimes it is very difficult to recall elements of the dialogue
such as dates, figures, times and names. Therefore, jotting them down while
the interlocutors are talking will assist in their exact recall and translation. The
use of a note pad looks professional too in that it shows clients that the
interpreter is using tools which assist them in providing an efficient service.

During the Exam

The above-mentioned interpreting skills can be acquired and worked on

through practising while preparing for the DPSI. Again, using past DPSI role
plays will be an invaluable tool for this.

Whilst interpreting, it is possible to miss the odd word for whatever reason and
therefore the candidates will need to ask for it to be repeated. Therefore,
asking for repetition is allowed but has to be done reasonably and should not
impede the flow of dialogue. Obviously good concentration and noting down
unusual terms or proper nouns will help avoiding asking for repetitions. For
instance, if one of the interlocutors moves and makes a noise with his/her
chair just when s/he is pronouncing the verb of a sentence, then asking to
repeat is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes, the interlocutor might have spoken
too fast and the candidates might have missed someone’s name and
surname or the name of an organisation. In that case it is acceptable to ask
for a repetition because understanding proper names well can be difficult
whilst interpreting.

The use of foreign words – particularly English words – in the other language
is allowed but with discrimination. We recommend that only commonly used
foreign words be used. Two examples would be entente cordiale and faux
pas, two French words commonly used in English.

Sometimes candidates might have to interpret a word for which there is no

perfect translation in the other language because it explains a typically, say,
English cultural situation (a good example would be ‘housing benefit’ as in
some countries there is no such benefit). In that case it is advisable to explain
what housing benefit is by paraphrasing this term and, if the term recurs and
the paraphrase is too lengthy, consequently using it in English. Obviously, it is
important, particularly in whispered interpreting, to be as concise as possible
so as not to miss what is being said afterwards by the interlocutor.

In order to be understood, it is important that candidates do not rush into

interpreting but take some time (but not too much as this would show lack of
preparation and knowledge of the languages) to properly formulate the
speaker’s messages in another language. To this end, a solid knowledge of
both languages and trying to explain and paraphrase the messages will
definitely assist candidates, particularly when they are not using their mother
tongue. Whilst using a language which is not one’s mother tongue, it is also
recommended that straightforward constructions and uncomplicated
sentences are used. In short applying the KISS principle (Keep It Short and
Simple) will definitely help. Speaking clearly and at a good pace is also
important to make sure that the message is understood.

Taking some time to properly formulate the speaker’s message will also assist
candidates in avoiding transliterations, thus making the message clearer.

The tone used by candidates in rendering a message is important. When, for

example, interpreting a caution in a legal context, it is important to sound
serious and not casual.

It is also recommended that candidates develop their concentration and focus

which will definitely come in handy in the exam and in their professional life.
Paying great attention to what is being said and using the note pad to jot
down important elements of the messages are two ways of keeping focused
and concentrated.

Whispered interpreting requires great concentration and, obviously, a different

approach from consecutive interpreting. Candidates are advised to not let
anything else distract them and, if necessary, to take charge of the
interpreting situation – indeed this applies, in different ways, to any type of
interpreting – by, for instance, leaving out fill words if the interlocutor is going
too fast, provided that all the important information is still conveyed.
Candidates can also ask interlocutors to speak faster or slower but are
strongly advised not to overdo this because the situation has to be as real-life
as possible and, very often, speakers slow down or speak faster just for a few
seconds, only to resume their normal speed.

SIGHT TRANSLATIONS

The basic skills required for the sight translation are identical to those for the
written translation (see section on Translation Skills under WRITTEN
TRANSLATIONS below). Candidates have 5 minutes to read through each
text that they are asked to sight-translate and, therefore, to identify difficult
sections and formulate a rough translation of these sections in their head. On
top of that candidates need to make sure that:
a) their pronunciation is generally clear;
b) their knowledge of the syntax and grammar of their language
combination is strong; and
c) that the pace of the translations is adequate.

WRITTEN TRANSLATIONS

Translation Skills

Even though this aspect should be a given, it is important to reiterate that

acquiring good and solid translation skills by attending relevant courses and
translating previous DPSI texts or other relevant documents and getting them
checked by teachers of translation, professional translators and/or peers will
assist DPSI candidates enormously. Knowing two languages and their
cultures well does not automatically mean that one is a translator or an
interpreter.

Knowledge of Formal Style

Very often, DPSI holders are asked to translate formal documents. It is

therefore necessary to be aware and be able to use a formal style in both
working languages. Because many DPSI translations are letters, it is also vital
that candidates are aware of target language conventions in letter writing.

False Friends

False friends are one of the most common traps for translators. Easily
available books and articles have been written for the most common language
combinations and candidates are advised to refer to them. If in doubt, it is
always useful – indeed essential - to have a good English dictionary handy
while tackling the DPSI written translations.

Double Solutions

Candidates will be penalised if they write down two translations for the same
word or expression (e.g. We decided/intended to go….). It is therefore
essential that they only submit one choice otherwise markers will not know
which one to accept and will mark down candidates.

Reading on the Chosen DPSI option

Candidates are strongly advised to read articles and books on their chosen
option (Law, Local Government and Health) in both languages. This will
enable them to improve their knowledge and be au fait with recent
developments and terminology. One useful source of information is,
obviously, the Internet which, however, has to be used wisely. Official
websites by, for instance, governments of the countries where the languages
of the candidates are spoken are very reliable and useful to expand
knowledge of the chosen options.

Dictionaries

Investing, where possible, in specialist dictionaries according to the DPSI

option chosen and using them for the written translations is definitely
recommended. In this way, candidates will be able to better deal with the
semi-specialised nature of the DPSI translations and will be able to come up
with appropriate terminology. Sometimes, it is not possible to find specialised
bilingual dictionaries. In this case, it might be an idea to buy monolingual
dictionaries, say an Italian Law dictionary and an English Law dictionary to
compare notes.

Time Management

Very often, DPSI candidates do not leave enough time to read their
translations to make sure that they sound as if they are original texts written in
the target language. This would also enable them to check their use of
punctuation and verb tenses, two common problems amongst DPSI
candidates. It is therefore important to allot some time for this task.

Handwriting

Finally, a very small point but still important. DPSI markers rely on clear
handwriting to judge the translations. The Institute, therefore, recommends
that candidates write clearly and legibly to enable markers to be at their most
effective. Illegible words or sentences will obviously mean that the candidates
will be penalised.
Practice and Preparation

The Institute cannot stress too much the importance of practising interpreting
and translating and preparing for the exams as thoroughly as possible.

And finally, good luck!

Useful links: DPSI Handbook for Candidates, Bibliography and Appendix 2 of

the DPSI Chief Moderator’s Report 05: Advice for Candidates