Simultaneous Interpreting Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Simultaneous Interpreting flashcards as text
What is the typical lag time (décalage) an interpreter maintains behind the source speaker during simultaneous interpreting?
Answer: 1–3 seconds
A lag of 1–3 seconds allows the interpreter to process enough meaning before rendering the target language.
Which cognitive skill is MOST critical for an interpreter to sustain simultaneous interpreting over a long session?
Answer: Divided attention
Divided attention — processing incoming speech while simultaneously producing output — is the core cognitive demand of simultaneous interpreting.
During a fast-paced simultaneous interpreting assignment, a speaker uses an unfamiliar technical acronym. What is the best immediate strategy?
Answer: Render the acronym as heard and continue interpreting
Rendering the acronym as heard maintains the flow while signaling to the audience that the term needs context.
An interpreter notices the source speaker is reading from a prepared text faster than normal. What is the most effective adaptation?
Answer: Compress non-essential information to keep pace
Compressing peripheral content while preserving core meaning is a recognized coping strategy for high-speed delivery.
In simultaneous interpreting at a legal proceeding, the interpreter hears the speaker self-correct mid-sentence. What should the interpreter do?
Answer: Interpret both and note the self-correction
In legal settings, accuracy demands that both the error and the self-correction be conveyed so the record reflects what actually occurred.
Which of the following best describes the 'salami technique' in simultaneous interpreting?
Answer: Breaking a long sentence into shorter meaningful chunks for delivery
The salami technique involves segmenting complex source sentences into smaller, manageable units that can be delivered fluently in the target language.
When an interpreter in a booth experiences a sudden loss of audio feed, what is the correct protocol?
Answer: Signal the technician immediately and pause output
Signaling the technician and pausing prevents inaccurate interpretation due to missing source information.
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