Consecutive and

Conference
Interpreting

V lecture
Introduction to simultaneous
interpreting

Stage 1: Preparation for simultaneous

interpreting

Have a notepad and a pen ready.

Start playing the recorded
source text. You should listen to
the recording using a headset.
Start the recorder. You will
record your interpretation using
this device.

Stage 2: Initial simultaneous interpreting

Listen attentively to the start of the recording.
Practice_10_Simultaneous_Dialogue.mp3
Once you have heard an interpretable segment
- a phrase, a clause, or a short sentence - start
interpreting simultaneously. You will continue
listening to the speakers next segment while
you interpret the previous segment. While you
are allowed to take notes, it is difficult to
listen, speak and take notes at the same time;
so limit your note-taking to important names,
dates and numbers.

Stage 3: Comparison of initial simultaneous

interpreting with recorded source text
dialogue/monologue

Replay the first segment of the source text

dialogue/monologue. You may listen to the
sentence as often as necessary to grasp its
meaning and take notes at this stage. Stop
the audio file before moving on to the
following step.
Start the voice recorder from the beginning.
Listen carefully to your interpretation of
sentence 1 and compare it with the source
text dialogue/monologue. Note all the things
that you have missed. Also note any poor
expression in the target language.

Stage 4: Comparison of initial simultaneous

interpreting with written text of
dialogue/monologue

Microsoft Office
Word 97 - 2003 Document

Start the voice recorder at the

beginning of your interpretation.
Read the first sentence in the written
text and compare your interpretation
of that sentence against it. Underline
in the written text the words,
expressions and segments that appear
wrong.
Repeat this step for each sentence,
until you complete the last sentence.

Stage 5: Analysis and resolution of

problems
Examine the notes you have taken during Stages
3 and 4 and analyse any words, expressions and
segments that you missed or think are wrong.
Try to determine why they caused you problems.
Was it because:
- you did not understand the word or expression?
- you did not know the equivalent in the target
language?
- you did not remember something that was said
earlier?
Think of ways you can correct these mistakes. Do
any basic research required.

Stage 6

Repeat the drill with the recording

of the monologue
Practice_14_Simultaneous_Monolo
gue.mp3
The link to the transcript is here
Microsoft Office
Word 97 - 2003 Document