Strategies for coping with fast speeches in simultaneous interpretation

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Strategies for coping with fast speeches in Simultaneous Interpretation

Abstract

Fast speech is the arch enemy of simultaneous interpreters. Prior preparation may address deficiencies in knowledge and terminology, and to some extent, alleviate the pressure of speed of delivery. But if the speed is beyond a certain limit, no interpreter can transmit the message in full, even if he/she is an expert in the subject. Fast deliveries place interpreters and listeners, particularly non-native listeners, at a disadvantage. It is widely recognised that a rate between 100 and 120 words per minute (wpm) is optimal for English speeches, although the figure may differ for different speech types. To cope with speeches faster than optimal speeds, this paper proposes four strategies: the speaker is requested to slow down; the interpreter speeds up; summarisation; termination of service.

1. Problems of Fast Speech

Delivering fast speeches in an international conference may lead to several problems: First, mistranslation and loss of information. There is a maximum output that an interpreter can produce within a given time interval; the greater the input, the greater the chance of error and omission. Secondly, fast delivery makes comprehension difficult even when the audience is listening to a native language. Thirdly, English is a non-native language to many, if not most, international conference participants. Participants lose information when either the speaker or the interpreter speaks too fast.

2. Strategies for Coping with Fast Speeches

Interpreters have to find coping strategies to deal with speeches that are delivered faster than the optimal speed.

Strategy one: Request the speaker to slow down. This is the first possible tactic when a speaker is speaking too fast; however, one must remember that reminders seldom work, for speakers are either set in their speaking habits, or are always trying to cover too much within a limited time. After being reminded, a speaker will usually slow down for a sentence or two, before quickly forgetting the rules. Also, too-frequent reminders impede communication. A fast rate of speech is a universal challenge for interpreters. On one occasion, a NATO interpreter even tried seeking help on the AIIC website. He proposed installing a «word flow monitoring device» to monitor speakers? speech rate (Communicate 1999). If a speaker speaks too fast, the device will automatically issue a warning to remind him/her to slow down. Some years ago, the interpreters? control panel was installed with a «slow-down? button, which interpreters could press when people were speaking too quickly. A small light affixed to the rostrum would blink, signalling to the speaker to slow down. The button's disappearance from the control panel in recent years shows its ineffectiveness. Speakers often get carried away, and no amount of pressing on the button will alert them to their speed.

To ensure that speakers speak at a reasonable pace, the efforts of several players are indispensable: interpreters? associations/societies, conference organisers, and individuals. As an association of interpreters, AIIC has communicated with institutional users of SI such as the United Nations and the European Union on speakers? requirements. As a result of AIIC?s efforts, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Interpretation issued Tips for Speakers, giving speakers tips on how to deliver speeches when interpreters? services are used (Tips for Speakers). One of the tips is to «speak naturally, at a reasonable pace.» If speakers could observe the tips, interpretation quality would be greatly enhanced. In dealing with ad hoc users of interpretation services, interpreters should communicate with the conference organiser, requesting speakers to speak at a reasonable pace. At small and more personal meetings, interpreters may communicate directly with the speakers. Most speakers are quite ready to cooperate, and would even request interpreters to raise their hands at any time when slowing down is needed. As a general rule, interpreters must make known their difficulties to conference organisers and speakers to ensure that they receive the required cooperation.

Strategy Two: The interpreter speeds up. If the speaker fails to cooperate, the interpreter will have to speed up. The constraint, however, is that speech rate cannot be increased indefinitely. And as mentioned earlier, if a speech is delivered too quickly, most of the interpreter's processing capacity will be devoted to comprehension, leaving little energy and time for translating and speaking the target language. The resulting utterance would be either incoherent or too fast for the audience's comprehension.

Strategy Three: Summarization. This is a tactic used when the interpreter cannot keep pace with the speaker even with increased speed. The best approach to interpreting speeches with redundant information (such as impromptu speeches) is to summarise. Summary interpretation will produce a more succinct speech than the original, which will allow the interpreter translate as much as he/she is able within the limited time.

Strategy Four: Termination of service. In the event that working conditions do not meet the interpreters minimum requirements and as a result, interpretation quality is compromised, interpreters may terminate their services. They have rights, and are entitled to claim their rights. Unless the required working conditions are met, interpreters have the right to refuse to deliver service.

Having said that, interpreters who serve as the bridge between speakers and audience should refrain from turning off the microphone (despite it being one possible strategy) unless absolutely necessary. First of all, not all speakers speak fast, and any speaker's turn will be over very soon. The organiser will understand if the interpretation for that particular segment is not completely satisfactory. Turning off the microphone because of one speaker will attract the audience's attention to the interpreter. Secondly, many conferences provide SI services simply to raise the prestige of the meeting or as part of the complete language service offered at the conference. If the interpreter determines that this is indeed the case, i.e. meeting participants do not actually use the interpretation service, there is even less necessity to turn off the microphone and attract the organizer's attention to interpreters. Finally, as a protection of the interpreter's interests and to prevent any unnecessary dispute, interpreters should stipulate in their interpretation contracts that the organizers ensure that speakers observe a reasonable rate of speech.

fast speech speaker

Bibliography

1) Gerver, David (1969). «The effects of source language presentation rate on the performance of simultaneous conference interpreters». Emerson Foulke (Ed), Proceedings of the 2nd Louisville Conference on Rate and/or Frequency Controlled Speech. Louisville, KY: University of Louisville. October 22-24, 1969. 162-184.

2) Gile, Daniel (1995). Basic Concepts and Models for Interpreter and Translator Training. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

3) Lederer, Marianne (1981). La Traduction simultanee. Paris: Minard Lettres Modernes.

4) Seleskovitch, Danica (1978). Interpreting for international conferences. Washington, D.C.: Pen&Booth.

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