BEI Sight Translation Techniques 3

Question 1

In a BEI oral performance exam, sight translation is typically evaluated on which primary criteria?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy, completeness, and fluency of the oral rendition

Answer

Speed of translation and quantity of words rendered per minute

Answer

Use of formal register and avoidance of colloquial expressions only

Answer

Volume and clarity of voice projection in the testing room

Question 2

When a written document contains an obvious error (e.g., a misspelled name), the interpreter performing sight translation should:

Accepted Answer

Translate the document faithfully and optionally note the apparent error to the court

Answer

Correct the error silently to produce a cleaner translation

Answer

Refuse to translate until the error is officially corrected

Answer

Ask the witness whether the error changes the document's meaning

Question 3

Which cognitive process is shared between sight translation and simultaneous interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Processing incoming information while simultaneously producing output in another language

Answer

Using shorthand notes to retain information between delivery segments

Answer

Rendering complete spoken passages before beginning to translate

Answer

Analyzing source text in writing before producing an oral rendition

Question 4

A common error in sight translation is 'source-language interference,' which manifests as:

Accepted Answer

Carrying over source-language word order or structure into the target language

Answer

Omitting sections of the document that are difficult to translate

Answer

Translating too slowly due to excessive self-correction

Answer

Using informal register when the document calls for formal language

Question 5

When sight-translating a document that contains both Spanish and English passages (a mixed-language exhibit), the court interpreter should:

Accepted Answer

Translate the Spanish portions into English and read the English portions as written

Answer

Translate every passage into Spanish since that is the defendant's language

Answer

Translate only the Spanish passages and omit the English sections

Answer

Request that a separate interpreter handle the English-language portions

Question 6

In sight translation, 'segmentation' refers to the practice of:

Accepted Answer

Breaking the written text into meaningful chunks that can be processed and spoken in sequence

Answer

Dividing the translation assignment among multiple interpreters

Answer

Separating legal terminology from narrative prose before translating

Answer

Marking the document with annotations before beginning the oral rendition

Question 7

Which professional behavior best demonstrates competence and integrity during a sight translation assignment in court?

Accepted Answer

Alerting the court when a term has no equivalent and offering a functional explanation

Answer

Silently choosing the most common word and continuing without comment

Answer

Asking the witness to clarify the meaning of the written document

Answer

Requesting a recess to research every unfamiliar term before proceeding