CASLI Simultaneous Interpreting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In simultaneous interpreting, what is the primary cognitive challenge that distinguishes it from consecutive interpreting?
- Retaining long passages of source text
- Simultaneously processing incoming and producing outgoing language (Correct answer)
- Managing note-taking while listening
- Coordinating with co-interpreters during relay
Correct answer: Simultaneously processing incoming and producing outgoing language
Simultaneous interpreting requires the interpreter to listen, process, and produce language output at the same time, creating a dual-task cognitive load not present in consecutive interpreting.
Question 2: When interpreting a fast-paced technical presentation in ASL-to-English simultaneous mode, what is the most effective coping strategy?
- Pause output until the speaker slows down
- Use approximations and fill in precise terms after the fact
- Condense meaning while preserving core concepts (Correct answer)
- Request the speaker repeat key terms
Correct answer: Condense meaning while preserving core concepts
Skilled simultaneous interpreters use condensation to convey essential meaning without falling behind, maintaining coherence even when source delivery is rapid.
Question 3: Which CASLI performance domain specifically evaluates whether an interpreter's simultaneous output is grammatically accurate in the target language?
- Message Equivalence
- Target Language Production (Correct answer)
- Pragmatic Appropriateness
- Source Language Comprehension
Correct answer: Target Language Production
Target Language Production assesses the grammatical accuracy, fluency, and naturalness of the interpreter's output in the target language.
Question 4: An interpreter notices mid-assignment that they misinterpreted a key term early in a simultaneous segment. What is the recommended action?
- Stop interpreting and ask the presenter to backtrack
- Continue without correction to avoid disrupting flow
- Offer a correction or clarification at the earliest natural pause (Correct answer)
- Switch to consecutive mode to correct the error
Correct answer: Offer a correction or clarification at the earliest natural pause
Best practice is to correct significant errors at the earliest natural opportunity without halting the entire interpreted event.
Question 5: In CASLI evaluations, 'source language comprehension' in a simultaneous task is primarily demonstrated by:
- How quickly the interpreter begins producing output
- The accuracy and completeness of the target language message (Correct answer)
- The interpreter's ability to maintain eye contact with the deaf consumer
- The number of words omitted from the output
Correct answer: The accuracy and completeness of the target language message
Accurate and complete target language output is the primary evidence that the interpreter has correctly comprehended the source language message.
Question 6: What does 'ear-voice span' (EVS) refer to in simultaneous interpreting?
- The physical distance between the interpreter and the speaker
- The time lag between receiving the source message and producing the target message (Correct answer)
- The volume difference between source and target language output
- The number of signs produced per minute
Correct answer: The time lag between receiving the source message and producing the target message
Ear-voice span (EVS) is the temporal delay between when the interpreter hears or sees the source input and when they begin producing the equivalent target language output.
Question 7: Which situation would most likely require an interpreter to lengthen their ear-voice span during a simultaneous task?
- Interpreting a simple greeting
- Interpreting a sentence with a verb-final structure that changes meaning at the end (Correct answer)
- Interpreting a list of unrelated items
- Interpreting a repetitive safety announcement
Correct answer: Interpreting a sentence with a verb-final structure that changes meaning at the end
Verb-final languages like ASL require interpreters to wait longer before committing to an English output because the predicate that completes the meaning comes at the end.
CASLI Simultaneous Interpreting 2
In simultaneous interpreting, what is the primary cognitive challenge that distinguishes it from consecutive interpreting?