I am a professional interpreter based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Although Im new, that doesn't account for the aspects that are discussed and advised here below, because these are based on researches done by other well-experienced interpreters and polyglots around the world.
I am here, sharing a long list of do's and dont's for the consecutive style interpreting which I have learned from my own experiences so far both in and outside Bangladesh. The environment for this style of interpreting tasks may vary from conferences to classroom onstage performances by a foreign speaker. Most of the time this interpretation task involves only one-way interpretation delivery but sometimes may require interpretation for both languages.
- Do not interrupt the speaker – the entire question or answer must be finished before you commence your interpretation. Do not attempt to mentally interpret until you have heard the entire message.
- Do not add anything to the message – no additions of any kind are allowed.
- Do not omit from to the message – do not leave anything that was said out of the interpretation.
- Do not change the message – do not make changes to the message received.
- Use the formal YOU
- Take brief notes – write down all concrete information such as names, descriptions, colours, numbers, years etc.
- No extraneous noises – do not make any sounds such as: uh, uhm, well, OK, etc.
- No double interpretations – provide a one-word interpretation for one word heard.
- Maintain the same register – raise or lower your level of sophistication of the language in accordance to what you have heard.
- Speak loudly, clearly and confidently – you must project professionalism at all times.
- If you do not know the interpretation for a word or expression, then make your best educated guess.
- When an idiomatic expression is utilised, then you must provide the equivalent expression to convey the meaning and not explain the expression.
- Interpret all fillers – all filler words utilised by the speaker, such as:” well”, “you know”, “OK”, they must all be interpreted with equivalent filler words.
- Stay calm. Always. No matter what. Even if situations escalate unexpectedly, stay out of the directions of conflicts.
- Remember the gender of all speakers – this is a must when going into languages with masculine and feminine terms.
- Follow the story – remember everything that has transpired in the story so that you may provide a better interpretation of up-coming events (this includes terms used).
- Interpret all profanity – do not use more bland terms (euphemisms) for vulgarisms.
- Do not do any conversions – when answers are provided in currency or weight or the 24-hour clock is used, they will be interpreted in just the same fashion and not converted.
- You must wait at least two complete seconds before commencing your interpretation. You must begin your interpretation no more than seven seconds after the speaker has finished the question or answer.
- You may ask for repetitions – you will state: “May the interpreter have a repetition, please?” Use thirdperson to reffer yourself.
- No mixing languages is allowed. Remain authentic and professional.E.g. Banglish is not acceptable under no circumstances!
- Concentrate 100 percent. Visualise the message. Sound self-assured and poised.
However, my experience is only limited by the number of languages I can effectively use. I can effectively interpret only for the language pair Bangla and English.
