In most cases, simultaneous interpretation is done through conference equipment. The interpreter sits in a special interpretation box, listens to the speaker's speech through headphones, and then conveys the speaker's speech to the audience of the conference in the translated language through the microphone. The audience uses headphones to select the required language channel and receive translation services.

Compared with consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation has the following advantages:

(1) In simultaneous interpretation, speech and translation are carried out at the same time, which does not occupy meeting time.

(2) Simultaneous interpretation can use electronic equipment to translate multiple languages simultaneously.

(3) In large-scale international conferences, translators can sometimes get the speeches in advance and make preparations in advance to improve the accuracy of translation. Therefore, at present, 90% of international conferences are conducted through simultaneous interpretation.

Simultaneous interpretation can be divided into the following situations:

(1) Conventional simultaneous interpretation: In translation, an interpreter can complete simultaneous interpretation while listening, thinking and translating without a manuscript.

(2) Visual translation: While listening to the speaker's speech and reading the manuscript, the interpreter obtains the speaker's written speech and translates it.

(3) Whisper interpretation: simultaneous interpretation equipment is not required. The translator listened to the speaker while interpreting for the delegates.

(4) Simultaneous interpretation: The interpreter gets the written translation and reads the translation while listening to the speaker. Synchronous reading needs to pay attention to what the speaker adds and subtracts in the process of reading the paper. Sometimes the speaker may suddenly leave the manuscript to speak.

Working procedure of simultaneous interpretation

The working procedure of simultaneous interpretation can be simply expressed as follows:

That is to say, the speaker of the source language speaks into the microphone at the rostrum (or venue) of the conference hall, and the simultaneous interpreters sit in a special interpretation box, listen to the source language information through headphones, and at the same time accurately convey the source language information in the target language, and convey the information through the microphone. Viewers receive the translated content through headphones. In the above simultaneous interpretation procedures, the following aspects will affect the quality of simultaneous interpretation:

(1) Speaker: the sender of information. The content, speed, logic and accent of his speech. It affects the simultaneous interpreters' understanding of the source language, and then affects the whole translation quality.

(2) Simultaneous interpretation: Simultaneous interpretation is the key to successful translation. Simultaneous interpreters should "multitask" in their work, and listen, think, take notes and translate almost at the same time. Therefore, simultaneous interpretation and translation are extremely challenging.

(3) Simultaneous interpretation equipment: The translation results of simultaneous interpreters need equipment to be accepted by the audience. In simultaneous interpretation activities, interpreters should be familiar with the operation of equipment. Especially when using "relay translation" in multilingual translation, you should be familiar with the operation of the equipment. Generally speaking, simultaneous interpreters should arrive at the site to test the equipment 30 minutes before work. In the process of inspection, once problems are found, they should be solved immediately by relevant technicians. In the process of explanation, there should always be equipment technicians on duty to solve urgent problems.

How to learn simultaneous interpretation

With the development of economic globalization and more and more international exchanges, there is an increasing demand for professional translation, especially simultaneous interpretation. Many foreign language graduates hope to receive professional training in this field.

Here are some ways to improve the professional level of interpretation.

(1) Regular professional training:

Formal professional training mainly refers to entering universities or specialized translation training institutions to receive professional degree (diploma) education. Before 1970s, most simultaneous interpreters had no chance to receive formal professional training, mainly because of their experience and talents, and they groped for various translation jobs. Nowadays, translation course has become the core course of many foreign language colleges. Specialized translation schools and translation departments have also traveled all over the world. Take English-Chinese translation as an example: English-Chinese bilingual translation master courses are offered in the following schools in the UK: university of westminster, Bath University, Newcastle University, etc. The Monterey Institute of International Studies in California, the Griffith University in Australia and the University of Auckland in New Zealand also offer master's courses in English-Chinese translation. In China, translation (including oral English and translation) has always been a compulsory course for foreign language majors. Due to teachers, some colleges and universities failed to offer interpretation courses. At present, the most influential institutions offering courses in interpretation and translation in China are: School of Advanced Translation, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Department of Translation, School of English, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and Foreign Languages Department of Xiamen University. In addition, the Translation Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also provides specialized vocational training for employed translators. Schools offering translation degree courses in Hong Kong and Taiwan include: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Taiwan Province National Normal University and Fu Jen Catholic University.

(2) On-the-job training:

Few translators can start working as soon as they join the organization. Some large institutions will give them some on-the-job training and regular business training to improve their business level. For example, translators recruited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China have to undergo on-the-job training in the translation room training center for about one year before they can actually translate. Some highly technical institutions will also provide specialized technical training for translators. Make interpreters familiar with the working environment and master basic skills.

(3) Self-training:

Another important way to improve simultaneous interpretation skills is self-training. After all, not everyone has the opportunity to get special vocational training. Some interpreters have worked in the front line for a long time and have a good language foundation and psychological quality. If they know the content and main methods of simultaneous interpretation training, they can train by themselves. However, the training of simultaneous interpretation is a hard process, and learners must have perseverance, patience and determination, make practical learning plans and improve their simultaneous interpretation level step by step. Of course, not everyone can learn simultaneous interpretation, which requires learners to have a solid bilingual foundation, good psychological quality, and certain basic steps and common methods of continuous interpretation professional training.

① Shadow practice

Shadow practice is also called primitive or monolingual retelling practice. It is to follow the speaker's speech or pre-recorded news recordings, meeting materials and so on almost synchronously in the same language. The purpose of this training is to cultivate the distraction and simultaneous interpretation skills of interpreters. When doing shadow exercises, you can start with the original text at the beginning. After a period of practice, you can read the original words in an instant after the beginning of the original words, and after a period of practice, you can read the original words in one sentence after the beginning of the original words. Follow the source language, not only parrot, but also listen with your ears (source language), repeat with your mouth (same language) and think with your head (language content). After reading a 5-8 minute speech or news, you should be able to outline the main contents of the source language. In the later stage of shadow practice, you can arrange "interference" practice, that is, while listening and speaking synchronously, manually. Ask students to write from 999 and write 999, 998 and 9997 in the form of countdown. Shadow practice can be practiced for 3-5 weeks (2-4 hours per week) according to different personal foundations, and the practice form is relatively free. You can do this exercise while listening to the radio, watching TV and listening to the report. When students want to synchronize their statements in the translated language, they can enter the next stage of practice.

② Overview of the original text

The original overview exercise is a continuation of the shadow exercise. That is, after giving a speech in the original language, students stop to sum up what they have just done in the same language by memory and summarize the core idea of the speech. On April 8th, we noticed the news of Japanese Prime Minister Hosokawa Morihiro's resignation. This is Japan's internal affairs. Prime minister. Hosokawa Morihiro has made valuable efforts to promote Sino-Japanese friendly relations, and we hope that Sino-Japanese relations will continue to develop steadily and healthily. " It can be summarized as: "The Japanese Prime Minister resigned. We hope that this will not affect Sino-Japanese relations. " At the beginning of this exercise, the interval can be relatively short, and then gradually extended after the students master the essentials. The purpose of summarizing the original text is to cultivate students' habit of short-term memory, listening, speaking and thinking (grasping the core content).

③ Overview of target language

Translation summary exercise is to summarize the contents of the source language in the target language after a period of time. The purpose is to consolidate the synchronization of listening and speaking, and gradually transition to real simultaneous interpretation. In practice, translators don't need to overemphasize the sentence structure and specific content, but cultivate a concise target language to convey the central idea and main information points of the source language. For example, "protecting the environment is an important part of sustained economic development. Here and in Hong Kong, the obstacles to explosive growth have disappeared. Damage to the environment leads to air and water pollution, destruction of the natural environment, traffic jams and deforestation. This not only hinders further economic investment and encourages the relocation of industries already here, but also makes the gap between Guangdong and the next level of economic development bigger and bigger. " It can be summarized as: "Environmental protection is an important factor for sustainable economic development. //In the past, Guangdong and Hong Kong have learned a lesson in this respect. //Environmental protection is the guarantee for Guangdong to attract more investment and make its economy go up a storey still higher. //"

④ Visual translation: Visual translation.

It refers to the simultaneous interpretation of the manuscript while listening to the speaker's speech. In practice, the first step is to find some translated speeches and do "simultaneous interpretation" while listening to the recording of the speeches. Gradually transition to only reading the original text and interpreting from the translated manuscript. In visual translation, you can read through the original text in a short time, understand the main contents of the speech, and make "pre-translation preparation" for language and professional difficulties.

⑤ Tape practice

Simultaneous interpretation is a very practical activity, and the skills involved can only be mastered by learners through usual practice. Therefore, to become a truly qualified simultaneous interpreter requires a lot of practice. Generally speaking, institutions that regularly train simultaneous interpretation require trainees to listen attentively and concisely to nearly 300 hours of tapes in addition to the training they receive in class. The content of tape practice should be rich and colorful, the topic should be extensive, the tone should be complete, and both Chinese and English should be used. It is best to record or video the speeches of international conferences. In practice, you can record your own translation and analyze it to find out the shortcomings, mistranslations and omissions. Mastering any skill is * accumulation at ordinary times, * hard practice.

⑥ Simulated meeting

This exercise is mainly aimed at organized classroom teaching. A self-taught interpreter can organize several or more amateurs to do this exercise together. Practice requires the use of simultaneous interpretation equipment. Simulate the conference topics for students in advance, such as "environmental protection and sustainable economic development", "population control and economic development" and "teaching and learning in the Internet age". Students are required to prepare their own 5- 10-minute speeches (one in Chinese and one in English), organize their own meetings, take turns to speak and translate. This practice not only exercises students' interpretation skills, but also enables students to master another very important skill in interpretation-public speaking skills.

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