Interpretation Techniques and Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real NAATI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Interpretation Techniques and Methods flashcards as text
What is 'anticipation' as a simultaneous interpretation technique?
Answer: Using grammatical and contextual knowledge to predict the end of a source utterance before it is completed
Skilled simultaneous interpreters use syntactic and contextual cues to anticipate how an utterance will end, reducing ear-voice span and improving fluency.
In a legal setting, an interpreter is asked by a lawyer to explain what a witness 'really meant.' The interpreter should:
Answer: Decline, as interpretation of intent is not the interpreter's role
Interpreters convey what was said, not what was meant in a subjective sense — interpreting intent is the domain of the court, not the interpreter.
Which of the following best illustrates 'cultural mediation' in interpreting?
Answer: Briefly noting that a gesture carries a specific cultural meaning that may differ across cultures
Cultural mediation involves flagging culturally specific elements that may affect understanding, without altering the message itself.
A community interpreter working via video remote interpreting (VRI) should:
Answer: Ensure the camera angle, lighting, and audio quality allow full visual and auditory access
VRI requires adequate technical setup so the interpreter can see and hear all parties clearly, which is critical for both spoken and signed language interpretation.
What does 'transposition' mean as an interpretation strategy?
Answer: Changing grammatical structures (e.g., active to passive) while preserving meaning
Transposition is a technique where the interpreter changes grammatical form (e.g., converting a noun phrase to a verb phrase) to produce natural target-language output.
When an interpreter encounters a false cognate (a word that looks similar in both languages but has different meanings), the correct approach is to:
Answer: Use the correct target-language meaning, not the superficially similar source-language word
False cognates ('false friends') must be translated according to their actual meaning in the source language, not their surface similarity to a target-language word.
The NAATI code of ethics principle of 'accuracy' in interpretation requires that the interpreter:
Answer: Convey the full meaning, intent, spirit, and register of the source message without omission or addition
Accuracy under NAATI's code means faithfully conveying meaning, tone, and register — not word-for-word literalism, nor unauthorized additions.