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Tips for speakers who are going to be interpreted
Why tips for speakers?
Too many people view interpreters both as robots and as walking and talking dictionaries. Naturally, interpreters are people who are used to thinking, translating and reacting fast, but they are not machines that do everything perfectly just like that. Any help they get improves the quality of the translation. Speakers who take into account that they are being interpreted, are generally interpreted better and more completely than speakers who do not.
General preparation
Whether you are going to get a simultaneous or a consecutive interpreter, you should realise that in both cases someone is listening to your words in another language and that the interpreter has to render your words as well as possible in that language. Which means that the following will not come across very well: badly articulated or mumbled stories, remarks in dialect, overhead sheets or computer projections which are hard to read from a distance (by the interpreter). But also think of the consequences of the use of language jokes (which often do not come across very well, or not at all, in other languages), or poems. Will you still be using any one of those items, then please see to it that the interpreter gets a copy at the earliest possible stage. If possible, give the person responsible for the organisation of the event a copy of your text as soon as it is ready, and request him or her to pass it on to the interpreter. And if you are going to be using overhead sheets, computer or other visual presentations, please see to it that the interpreter gets photocopies of it in advance. When writing your speech, avoid long or complex sentences. If you use any unusual terms, give the person responsible for the organisation of the event a term list in advance, to be passed on to the interpreter, and preferably give every term a short description. Even if you are going to be speaking off the cuff, make a few short notes for the interpreter about the subject you are going to be dealing with. Also, think carefully about any quotes you will be using that may already be available in a translation (Shakespeare, for instance, is readily available in translations for many languages). Example: a speech at a conference about christian matters, in which the Bible is quoted, is a perfect opportunity to help the interpreter by writing down the Bible references in advance and handing the interpreter these. If there is no time for that before your speech, then clearly state the references during your speech. You can even take it one step further by merely announcing the quote or reference, not reading it out loud yourself, but having the interpreter reading it out loud. (Of course, this only works when you have a consecutive interpreter, or a simultaneous interpreter but a mono-language audience.)
While speaking (with simultaneous interpretation)
Are you being simultaneously interpreted, then do not speak too fast. Remember that the interpreter has to keep up. Some are used to high speed interpreting, but do not take the risk. Articulate well. Speak as direct as possible into the microphone. Do not speak in any dialect. Avoid language jokes and poems, if you can.
While speaking (with consecutive interpretation)
Are you being consecutively interpreted, then use short sentences. Are you making a long sentence anyway, then cut it in pieces and allow the interpreter to translate a piece at a time. Do be careful with this, and only do it when absolutely necessary, because due to differences in grammar between the source and target languages, and different word order in, for instance, English and Dutch sentences, you could create a problem with this method instead of solving one. (In other words: only cut your sentence in pieces if it is a very long one.) Often the interpreter will be sitting or standing next or near to you. When reading something out loud, let him read along, if possible. However your microphone is positioned, do not face away from the interpreter while speaking (for instance, if your interpreter is on your right hand side, do not face left while speaking). Even if there is a sound system, it does not guarantee that the interpreter can hear you. If you are going to be reading words or names in the target language out loud, consider simply giving the list to the interpreter and letting him read it out loud - unless you are really sure of the correct pronunciation. Apart from these tips, the same suggestions apply as in a situation with simultaneous interpretation (see above): Articulate well. Do not speak in any dialect. Avoid language jokes and poems. (And if you are using a poem or complex quote anyway, let the interpreter read along, if possible.)
Furthermore...
Just use your common sense. Keep in mind what it means to be interpreted, and adapt your behaviour as a speaker. You are not the only speaker now - the interpreter is also speaking, on your behalf, in another language. Give him the opportunity to render your words as well as possible in the audience's language.
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Speaker - noun
1a: one that speaks;
1b: person who addresses an audience;
2: [...].
(Webster's Dictionary.)
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