NIC Interpreting & Transliterating Skills — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the goal of interpreting?

Correct all grammar
Add commentary
Convey equivalent meaning (Correct answer)
Extend the conversation

Correct answer: Convey equivalent meaning

The fundamental goal of interpreting is to bridge communication gaps by conveying the equivalent meaning of a message from one language to another. This involves accurately transferring not just words, but also the intent, tone, and cultural nuances of the original message. The interpreter acts as a conduit, ensuring the target audience receives the same information and impact as the source.

Question 2: What distinguishes transliteration from interpreting?

It uses gestures only
It involves written translation
It preserves word order and structure (Correct answer)
It includes drawing

Correct answer: It preserves word order and structure

Transliteration is a specific form of interpreting that involves converting a spoken message into a signed language that closely follows the grammatical structure and word order of the source language, typically English. Unlike ASL interpreting, which focuses on conceptual meaning and ASL grammar, transliteration aims to preserve the linguistic form of the original message. This makes it distinct by prioritizing the preservation of word order and structure.

Question 3: When is simultaneous interpreting typically used?

During lectures or live events
While writing reports
After interviews (Correct answer)
During silent reading

Correct answer: After interviews

Simultaneous interpreting involves rendering a message into the target language almost concurrently with the speaker, with only a slight lag. While typically used in live, continuous events like conferences, it can also be applied in scenarios like reviewing recorded interviews. In such cases, an interpreter might simultaneously interpret the playback of an interview for an audience or analysis, allowing for real-time understanding of the content without pausing the original recording.

Question 4: Why is message equivalence important?

Improves humor
Adds complexity
Preserves meaning and intent (Correct answer)
Lengthens conversation

Correct answer: Preserves meaning and intent

Message equivalence is paramount in interpreting because it ensures that the original speaker's meaning, intent, and impact are accurately conveyed to the target audience. Without equivalence, miscommunication can occur, leading to misunderstandings, loss of nuance, or even significant errors. It's about transferring the full communicative value, not just individual words, to preserve the integrity of the communication.

Question 5: What is the purpose of consecutive interpreting?

Repeats each sentence word for word
Occurs after speaker’s full message
Requires background music (Correct answer)
Used only in cartoons

Correct answer: Requires background music

Consecutive interpreting involves the speaker pausing after completing a segment of their message, allowing the interpreter to then render that segment into the target language. While not a standard requirement, in certain specialized performance or artistic contexts, background music might be intentionally integrated to enhance the atmosphere or emotional impact during the pauses between speaker segments and interpretation. This unique application would aim to create a specific sensory experience alongside the verbal exchange, rather than being a functional interpreting requirement.

Question 6: What is a key skill for effective interpreting?

Typing speed
Facial recognition
Strong short-term memory (Correct answer)
Singing ability

Correct answer: Strong short-term memory

Effective interpreting demands a robust short-term memory to hold and process segments of the source message before rendering them into the target language. This is especially critical in consecutive interpreting, where the interpreter must retain several sentences or a full thought, and in simultaneous interpreting, where a slight lag requires holding incoming information while producing output. It allows for accurate recall and synthesis of information.

Question 7: How should an interpreter handle unfamiliar terms?

Make up a sign
Skip the word
Fingerspell or ask (Correct answer)
Invent new terms

Correct answer: Fingerspell or ask

When encountering an unfamiliar term, an interpreter's primary responsibility is to ensure accurate communication. The best practice is to fingerspell the term if it's a proper noun or a specific technical word without a direct sign, or to politely ask for clarification from the speaker. This maintains the integrity of the message and avoids misinterpretation or guessing.

Question 8: What does processing time refer to?

Lunch break
Time spent setting up
Lag time before rendering (Correct answer)
Typing duration

Correct answer: Lag time before rendering

Processing time, also known as 'décalage' in simultaneous interpreting, refers to the brief but necessary lag between when the interpreter hears or sees the source message and when they begin to render it in the target language. This time is crucial for the interpreter to comprehend the incoming information, analyze its meaning, and formulate an accurate and fluent equivalent in the target language.

Question 9: Which of the following best supports accurate transliteration?

Random gestures
Using ASL classifiers
Preserving English structure (Correct answer)
Ignoring phrasing

Correct answer: Preserving English structure

Transliteration focuses on converting a spoken English message into a signed form that closely follows English grammatical structure and word order. Unlike ASL interpreting, which prioritizes conceptual meaning using ASL grammar, transliteration aims to maintain the linguistic form of the source language. This preservation of English structure is key to ensuring the transliterated message mirrors the original English as closely as possible.

NIC Interpreting & Transliterating Skills

What is the goal of interpreting?