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

BEI evaluators assess whether the oral translation is accurate (no additions or omissions), complete (full document translated), and fluent (natural delivery).

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

The interpreter's duty is fidelity to the source text; errors in the original should be reproduced faithfully, and the interpreter may alert the court separately.

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

Both modes require the interpreter to decode source content and encode target-language output at the same time, making dual-task management the shared cognitive demand.

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

Source-language interference (also called calque or literal translation) produces unnatural target-language output by mirroring the original's syntax instead of reformulating it.

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

Mixed-language documents require the interpreter to render source-language text into the target language while passing through text already in the target language unchanged.

(BEI) Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Practice Test

(BEI) Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Practice Test

BEI Sight Translation Techniques 3