NAATI Communication Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A speaker in a community interpreting session uses highly technical jargon that the listener is unlikely to understand. What should the interpreter do?
- Simplify the jargon into plain language without informing anyone
- Interpret the term accurately and, if needed, alert the service provider that clarification may be needed (Correct answer)
- Ask the speaker to use simpler language before interpreting
- Omit technical terms to make communication smoother
Correct answer: Interpret the term accurately and, if needed, alert the service provider that clarification may be needed
Interpreters must accurately convey technical terms and may flag comprehension barriers to the relevant party.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'register' in NAATI interpreting standards?
- The volume at which the interpreter speaks
- The formality level and style of language appropriate to the communicative situation (Correct answer)
- The speed at which the interpreter delivers a rendition
- The method used to take notes during consecutive interpreting
Correct answer: The formality level and style of language appropriate to the communicative situation
Register refers to matching the formality and style of the source language in the target language rendition.
Question 3: During a telephone interpreting session, there is a long silence. The interpreter should:
- Hang up and reconnect to resolve technical issues
- Verbally check whether both parties are still connected (Correct answer)
- Begin summarizing what was previously said
- Interpret any background noise to fill the gap
Correct answer: Verbally check whether both parties are still connected
In telephone interpreting, verbal check-ins replace visual cues to confirm connection.
Question 4: A NAATI interpreter is asked to interpret for a family member who is a patient. The interpreter should:
- Accept if the patient requests it specifically
- Decline and explain that conflicts of interest compromise professional interpreting (Correct answer)
- Interpret but disclose the relationship to the provider
- Agree only if no other interpreter is available
Correct answer: Decline and explain that conflicts of interest compromise professional interpreting
NAATI's code of ethics requires interpreters to avoid conflicts of interest, including family assignments.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a pre-session briefing in professional interpreting?
- To allow the interpreter to learn the client's preferred outcome
- To establish roles, clarify the interpreting mode, and set communication ground rules (Correct answer)
- To allow the interpreter to review the case file in detail
- To give the interpreter time to prepare personal opinions on the topic
Correct answer: To establish roles, clarify the interpreting mode, and set communication ground rules
Pre-session briefings align expectations and help all parties communicate effectively.
Question 6: A client asks the interpreter after a court session to explain what just happened in simple terms. The interpreter should:
- Provide a brief explanation as a professional courtesy
- Politely decline and refer the client to their legal representative (Correct answer)
- Summarize only the positive outcomes for the client
- Report the request to court administration
Correct answer: Politely decline and refer the client to their legal representative
Interpreters must not provide legal advice or explanations beyond their interpreting role.
Question 7: In simultaneous interpreting, which cognitive skill is MOST essential for managing the lag between source and target language delivery?
- Photographic memory
- Anticipation and predictive language processing (Correct answer)
- Speed reading of source documents
- Bilingual typing proficiency
Correct answer: Anticipation and predictive language processing
Anticipation allows simultaneous interpreters to begin rendering while still receiving the source message.
NAATI Communication Skills 3
A speaker in a community interpreting session uses highly technical jargon that the listener is unlikely to understand.
What should the interpreter do?