Exploring the speed in simultaneous interpretation and the coping strategies [Articol]

Abstract

There are many factors that affect (facilitate or hinder) the interpreters’ listening comprehension, such as the terminology, the accent and the speed of delivery (Shareef, 2018:43). The speed, i.e., fast speech is an enemy and a friend for interpreters, especially simultaneous interpreters. Prior preparation may address deficiencies in knowledge and terminology, and to some extent, alleviate the pressure of fast delivery. But if the speed is beyond a certain limit, no interpreter can transmit the message in full, even if the interpreter is an expert in the subject (Li, 2010:19). This is even more so when the source and target languages are typologically different languages and their structures differ substantially. To cope with speeches faster than optimal speeds, this article will suggest several strategies based on the author’s personal experience as both a conference interpreter and as a university lecturer teaching MA students enrolled at the Master’s Degree Programme in Conference Interpreting.