How to avoid inactive mental response during interpretation sessions Thread poster: Soonthon LUPKITARO(Ph.D.)
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I have an experience with Japanese - Thai interpretation in an auto parts factory in Bangkok which lasted for 5 days. There were 3 instructors and one interpreter: I. The interpretation was smooth on earlier sessions but I was gradually inactive on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day since I needed to speak for about 8 hours a day for total five days.
My interpretation became mainly brief and imperfect on the 5th day (It was partly due to demonstrative manual practice with work pieces by trainees whe... See more I have an experience with Japanese - Thai interpretation in an auto parts factory in Bangkok which lasted for 5 days. There were 3 instructors and one interpreter: I. The interpretation was smooth on earlier sessions but I was gradually inactive on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day since I needed to speak for about 8 hours a day for total five days.
My interpretation became mainly brief and imperfect on the 5th day (It was partly due to demonstrative manual practice with work pieces by trainees where I needed not speak clearly what they should do.) I understood that I was too tired since the client hired only one interpreter for this employee training event.
For simultaneous interpretation, the international interpretation quality standards specify maximum working hours and break hours per day. I see no such clear requirement for consecutive interpretation.
I am going to work in the similar manner again, but the time duration will last for many months. I do not want to be in the same pitfall again since the interpretation work site and training details are very critical.
Could anyone tell me how to avoid such possible mistakes.
Many thanks in advance.
Soonthon L. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | That happened to me too | Sep 7, 2015 |
And I don't have a solution, except that there should be another interpreter to help also for consecutive sessions which are long and intensive as yours.
Good luck!
Giusi
| | | | Steffen Walter 
Germany
Local time: 05:28
Member (2002)
English to German
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| NEVER go it alone | Sep 7, 2015 |
You should always work in a team of two interpreters during such assignments. And consecutive is often much more demanding than simultaneous. Tell your client very clearly (mention your previous experience) that they would be doing themselves a disservice if they continued to hire you as a single interpreter. On a related note, conference interpreters/boothmates always take turns every 20 or 30 minutes to keep their performance up throughout the day.
Good luck with your future assi... See more You should always work in a team of two interpreters during such assignments. And consecutive is often much more demanding than simultaneous. Tell your client very clearly (mention your previous experience) that they would be doing themselves a disservice if they continued to hire you as a single interpreter. On a related note, conference interpreters/boothmates always take turns every 20 or 30 minutes to keep their performance up throughout the day.
Good luck with your future assignments!
Steffen ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I got warm with your words | Sep 7, 2015 |
Steffen Walter wrote:
You should always work in a team of two interpreters during such assignments. And consecutive is often much more demanding than simultaneous. Tell your client very clearly (mention your previous experience) that they would be doing themselves a disservice if they continued to hire you as a single interpreter. On a related note, conference interpreters/boothmates always take turns every 20 or 30 minutes to keep their performance up throughout the day.
Good luck with your future assignments!
Steffen
Many thanks. I find many supporters to maintain my best quality consecutive translation. [At first I thought I was too weak for such job. In fact I am relatively a tough guy for extreme works.]
I will take words of both Steffen and Giuseppina to take good care of my mission and to convey experiences toward more and more interpreters.
Soonthon L.
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Inter-Tra
Italy
Local time: 05:28
English to Italian
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| Please, Please Colleagues | Sep 8, 2015 |
You SHOULD RAISE AWARENESS among clients, that interpreters are NOT SLAVES or MANUAL WORKERS. Interpreters work with the brain, brain is not an AUTOMATED MACHINE, as Stefan nicely explained rotation/alternation is not an option. There are very few exceptions.
2 interpreters for such assignments.
Break a leg!
fb
| | | | | Yes, I shall do | Sep 8, 2015 |
fbbest wrote:
You SHOULD RAISE AWARENESS among clients, that interpreters are NOT SLAVES or MANUAL WORKERS. Interpreters work with the brain, brain is not an AUTOMATED MACHINE, as Stefan nicely explained rotation/alternation is not an option. There are very few exceptions.
2 interpreters for such assignments.
fb
Thanks again. I shall convince this spectacular client about how to maintain good interpretation sessions.
Best regards,
Soonthon L.
| | | | Balasubramaniam L.
India
Local time: 08:58
Member (2006)
English to Hindi
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SITE LOCALIZER | The cup that cheers? | Sep 8, 2015 |
Would a hot steaming cup of coffee (or tea, if you are an Indian) do the trick of waking up a lethargic brain?
But I agree, it is always best to work in tandem with a second interpreter to avoid these mental blanks.
| | | | | Tea, coffee or a nap | Sep 8, 2015 |
Balasubramaniam L. wrote:
Would a hot steaming cup of coffee (or tea, if you are an Indian) do the trick of waking up a lethargic brain?
But I agree, it is always best to work in tandem with a second interpreter to avoid these mental blanks.
Tea, coffee or a nap may do a trick. But I frequently find that a deep sleep [if possible] recovers the brain fatigue very effectively. That is, take a nap whenever an interpreter finds free time.
Soonthon L.
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