Interpreting Division

InterpNet, as the name implies, is a network of interpreters, working in a variety of languages and offering different types of interpreting. InterpNet members are willing to support and cooperate with other members on the list (all members of professional associations), in terms of work and linguistic assistance.

 

Members of professional associations (CIOL, AIIC, ITI, ATA, etc.) wishing to join InterpNet are invited to register with our moderated e-group (information below). You will be regularly provided with a data file containing details on fellow members. Any InterpNet member is able to seek collaboration with others on the list (for support or terminology backup, for example). Network members are also encouraged to organise activities, such as interpreting practice sessions, lectures, workshops or seminars, perhaps together with local education or other institutions, after consulting with the network coordinator. Provided the Interpreting Division Management is satisfied that such events are organised in a manner that meets the published criteria, financial help may be given.

 

The concept behind InterpNet is to facilitate self-help through cooperation. Its objective is NOT to procure additional work for its members, although cooperation may sometimes lead to this, but to facilitate closer working relationships between people operating in similar fields. It is the pro-active approach, which is most likely to lead to the benefits envisaged in the InterpNet concept. The more information InterpNet members have about each other, the easier the cooperation becomes.

 

InterpNet will operate as a moderated e-group. Instead of e-mailing individual group members, participants send e-mails to the InterpNet e-group address from where all postings will be delivered to all group members. Each person can choose whether to receive regular individual e-mails, daily digests or read postings on-line. To subscribe, please visit www.yahoogroups.com to register as a new Yahoogroup user or, if you already have a Yahoo ID, go straight to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InterpNet, click on ‘join’ and follow the subscription instructions.

 

Alternatively, send an empty e-mail message to InterpNet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

 

Shortly after you send your subscription request you will receive an application form which will ask you to provide some more information. This information is required in order to validate your membership and to complete the InterpNet register.

 

Once your subscription is confirmed you will be able to exchange e-mails with all other network members.

 

If you have further queries about InterpNet, please contact:

 

 

As is usual in planning our annual CPD events, the programme for 20010/11 came about as a direct result of suggestions from ID members and requests received from participants in our workshops and seminars.

 

The first event of the 2010/11 CPD programme, entitled “Developments in Remote Legal Interpreting” took place on the 9th October and attracted more than 80 delegates. The first topic for the day was “Developments in Remote Videoconference Interpreting in the CJS”, with Dr Sabine Braun, Senior Lecturer in Translation Studies, Centre for Translation Studies, University of Surrey, who outlined her research entitled: “Assessing videoconference interpreting in the Criminal Justice System”. This was an EU co-funded project with the main focus being on the quality of interpreting output using this relatively new technology.

Our second speaker was Amanda Clement, Head of Language Policy & Co-ordination, Metropolitan Police Service, Language & Cultural Services, who presented on the progress towards their current video-conferencing (VC) pilot, which has drawn upon Dr. Braun’s research in the move by the Metropolitan Police Service Language Programme towards providing interpreting via videoconference links.

During the final Plenary Q&A session, Dr. Braun and Ms Clement were joined by Mrs. Ulrike Dehmel, a practising conference and public service interpreter. The debate was very lively, busy and generally objective, with the main overriding concerns being logistical (not being able to see the whole of what is going on in the court room), additional training required in using the new technology (and the cost of it), new structures and protocols, which will be required when working in this new environment - so much to mull over on the way home.

 

Our second event of the programme was our regular New Year Reception, which on the 28 January 2011 came with a ‘Taste of Poland’. This event always offers a very good opportunity to network and exchange ideas with colleagues. Members of both divisional management committees were on hand and happy to answer questions about the Institute or other language related matters during the evening. 

 

It is always very good to welcome back our regular attendees, in particular our RAF Club Sponsor, George du Pré, as well as to meet those new to the Institute – quite often attending their very first event:

 

 

“Very many thanks to all who organised this event, which went so well with its Polish feast and plenty of wine! A splendid opportunity to meet fellow linguists in relaxed surroundings - hope to see you again next year.”

 

In addition, this year, Maria-Teresa Grau, events coordinator for ID, also circulated during the evening with a very informal straw poll asking what sort of events our members would like to see included on future divisional CPD event programmes. The feedback from this will be taken into account when the divisions undertake its future CPD programme planning.

 

Our third event, held on the 16th April and entitled, “Trying to break into the conference interpreting market? Come and find out what agencies are looking for”, attracted some 70 delegates and is obviously a hot topic. The ID committee had felt it was time to look again at what qualities clients are looking for in interpreters, rather than at what interpreters expect from them.  To this end, we were joined for the day by representatives of two leading and well-respected global players in the conference interpreting sector, namely Andrew Mcanerney from the Ubiqus Group and Izabela Ignatowicz and David Kaiser from thebigword. It was clear from both sets of presentations that in addition to appropriate interpreting qualifications and experience, it is feedback from clients, recommendations from fellow interpreters (especially when working in the booth), flexibility on the job and a positive and professional approach at all times on site, (regardless of what is thrown at us), that will lead to repeat business from these agencies. A more detailed report and tips from the final Q&A session are included in our event report, which appears in edition 50,3 of TL about to arrive on members’ doorsteps, and can also be found on the ID page of the CIOL website and under the files section of InterpNet.

 

Our email list, created in consultation with members, continues to be a very successful tool in notifying members about our events. A direct link to the ID events section of the CIOL website is now included in circulations, so that members can see the event flier and download application forms. We do, of course, still advertise in The Linguist and students at training establishments are also routinely informed about our events through the email list and their tutors. In this respect, we were saddened and shocked to note the recent closure of the Conference Interpreting course at the University of Westminster – considered by many to be a gold standard in the UK, as it was one of the European Masters in Conference Interpreting (EMCI) accredited courses.

 

InterpNet, our moderated e-group interpreter’s networkis growing – some 180 members and new members pending. There is a healthy flow of messages, much supported by input from our InterpNet coordinators, Gabriela Bocanete and Trevor Adcock.

InterpNet, as the name implies, is a network of interpreters working in a variety of languages and offering different types of interpreting. InterpNet members are willing to support and cooperate with other members on the list (all members of professional associations), in terms of work and linguistic assistance. For those not familiar with its concept, it is a forum for mutual support, exchange of interpreting-related ideas, the posting of questions about anything from IT, to how to draw up a contract, negotiate with a customer, or even where to find a CPD event or course - and the AGM and its seminar definitely qualify as one such event.

From time to time the Institute’s divisional management committees are asked to consult on various matters and this last year was no exception.  Whilst not directly asked to be part of the NRPSI Review Sub-Committee, (appointed by Council), ID did send in opinion, whenever it felt appropriate. It was represented at both NRPSI Review forums, which reported on the work and outcomes of the review committee. 

It was also directly involved in providing feedback to the Chair of Council during the formulation of the CIOL response to the recent, rather belated, MoJ Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) process. The committee has, through its Chair, also been participating in the working group set up by Council to organise a joint rates and salaries survey with ITI.   Whilst this process has proven to be rather longer than had been envisaged, it is hoped that the survey will go live in the first half of July. CIOL members (all categories) will receive information about the survey and instructions on how to use it by email, direct from Survey Gizmo, the company hosting the survey on our behalf. For non-member practising linguists, there will also be announcements with the link to the survey in TL and the ITI Bulletin, and on both the CIOL and ITI websites in July. The joint CIOL/ITI Rates and Salaries Survey 2011 does not confine itself to rates and ancillary charges but will also seek your feedback on a wide range of additional topics, such as the equipment and software packages you use (including CAT tools), voiceover, remote interpreting and where your markets are in relation to where you live. So please spread the good word to other professional linguists who might be interested in completing the survey.

 

Exchange of information between the Interpreting Division and other divisions and organs of the CIoL – in particular the Translating Division, the Editorial Board and Council continues to take place on a regular basis.

 

Your committee should very much like to thank all our members and visitors for supporting the events and for giving us important and objective feedback over the year. We can assure you that we do listen and where possible act upon it.

 

And last, but not least, I wish in particular to thank my committee of volunteers (yes they are volunteers – not paid members of CIoL staff) and the Institute staff at Saxon House, who have continued to give the Division extremely valued support – sometimes under difficult circumstances and often way beyond the call of duty!

Christine Pocock, FCIL, DipTrans

Chair Interpreting Division

 

Our Interpreting Division event on the 16^th April attracted some 60 plus interpreters, including students from abroad intending to work as professional interpreters after they graduate from various British universities. The Interpreting Division Management Committee felt it was time to look again at what qualities clients are looking for in interpreters, rather than at what interpreters expect from them. It’s the client after all that pays the invoices and an insight into the professional qualities they value in deciding whether to give business, or even indeed repeat business, to some interpreters but not others would be very useful. To this end, we were joined for the day by two leading and well-respected global players in the conference interpreting sector.

 

The first session was lead by Andrew Mcanerney, UK Public Sector Manager for the Ubiqus group. Through its specialist division, Westminster Sonus, Ubiqus provides a complete language interpretation service for multi‑lingual conferences, all types of meetings, and for courts and legal hearings. Ubiqus is now the largest provider of simultaneous interpreting equipment in the UK and the group is always looking for new interpreting opportunities in this constantly evolving industry. One particular example cited by Andrew was the recent international conference on Libya, attended by 240 delegates with interpretation in English, French and Arabic, for which they provided both equipment and interpreters.

 

He emphasised the need for appropriate professional qualifications, membership of recognised professional bodies (AIIC, CIOL, ITI), excellent mother tongue and foreign language skills and an in-depth knowledge of associated cultural background. And, of course, together with a wide interest in current affairs, business and global news, a thorough knowledge of the terminology of the specialist area the client requires. Interpreters are expected to prepare very well before an assignment and as far as is practically possible Ubiqus will provide appropriate material in good time. And absolutely top of their priority list when recruiting interpreters is a reliable recommendation from a respected fellow interpreter.

 

In terms of delivery during the assignment itself, the sort of things interpreters need to think about if they want to be booked again are punctuality, courtesy to clients and the ability to build rapport with them – unlike the very different circumstances in the public service sector, (courts, police, health, etc), conference interpreters can often be in the same hotel as clients for quite a few days and may also be required to interpret during dinner and receptions, etc. They need to be well presented, discrete, patient, flexible and have a very positive attitude. This approach to their work will mean that unexpected changes and alterations in requirements, which clients sometimes demand at short notice, will be easier to cope with. It almost goes without saying that conference interpreters must really be willing to travel, often at short notice, and keep the recruiting company informed at all times about any change in their availability. When an assignment is finished, it is also essential to submit invoices and expense claims very promptly, so that the recruiting company can send its end client their invoice equally promptly. 

 

The second presentation was lead by Izabela Ignatowicz, Supplier Relations Manager and David Kaiser, Corporate Project Manager from thebigword, which was set up in 1980 and specialises in both interpreting and translation services with a global network of linguists. The company provides world class simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for the Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence, top blue chip organisations, including Reuters, HSBC and the Hilton Corporation, as well as interpreters for the public service and telephone interpreting sectors. In contrast to Ubiqus, they differentiate their types of assignment into three areas requiring non-technical, technical and specialist vocabulary.

 

Interpreters employed by thebigword require a recognised MA in conference interpreting, a minimum of 3 years experience and membership of AIIC, CIOL, ITI or a National interpreting association accreditation.

 

Izabela and David echoed much of what Andrew had said in terms of their expectations of interpreters. Their interpreter’s toolkit requires the linguists to be personable, organised, professional and prepared – at all times. Feedback from the client is vital and if an interpreter is particularly outstanding or helpful, the client or the conference audience will immediately feed that back. However, they will also feed back the opposite just as promptly. Their repeat booking criteria are much the same as those of Westminster, i.e. interprets accurately, good with the client (even requested by them), behave professionally (arrive on time, dress smartly, conduct themselves appropriately), demonstrate superior vocabulary in certain areas, prove flexible and responsive (react quickly, cover for colleagues, are available short-notice, prepared to travel internationally).

 

Currently, the most common language combinations (with English) are French, German, Italian and Spanish, followed by Mandarin, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic and Turkish. There is a distinct shortage of interpreters for Finnish, Greek, Thai, Indonesian, Bulgarian, Danish, Korean, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Croatian, Macedonian and Romanian.

 

The following informal post lunch Q&A session was very informative, with much interchange of ideas between delegates and speakers and a few final tips on how to achieve that break through:

·         talk to colleagues who already work at a conference interpreter level

·         look for voluntary opportunities for conference interpreting

·         consider looking for work outside the UK

·         look into staff positions at EU or international institutions

 

And the future ….. according to our experts in the field, it would appear that there is likely to be more international travel (China is a rapidly growing world market), an increase in demand for interpreters with an in-depth knowledge of specialist vocabulary, with clients increasingly demanding a strong CV in a specific sector. This may require existing conference interpreters to evolve and upgrade their skills, possibly even to improve the status of their existing passive languages. The use of retour is now an everyday phenomenon. And for those trying to break into the market, it will mean careful planning of their career pathway and definitely a very professional approach.