In this module you will be introduced to the basic skills and linguistic knowledge of consecutive interpreting (CI). You will work on both English/Portuguese and Portuguese/English CI to be better prepared for the increasingly demanding market and be able to work as an interpreter both at home and abroad. You will acquire the ability to listen actively and analytically, memorise sizeable statements, summarise, interpret and communicate effectively in both languages. You will learn to use interpreters' strategies in order to resolve potential problems such as recycling vocabulary used by one of the speakers, asking for clarification or repetition and rectifying errors. You will also learn how to conduct pre-task preparation, i.e. research, background knowledge, terminology building and how to use on-line resources. Your performance will be filmed for you to analyse and improve your presentation skills, e.g., public speaking, voice projection, posture, pacing and overcoming speech anxiety. Moreover, you will be expected to observe the code of conduct of professional interpreters.
We will organize one CI mock conference in each term to provide you with a platform to practice and put what you have learned in class into real-time interpreting performance. You will not only take part as interpreters but also work as conference organizers, speakers and attentive audience who will provide feedbacks to your peers. Please see Guide for Mock Conference in the TIS, T&I Hand Book.
Workshops and seminars led by professional interpreters will be organized for you at least twice a month during the academic year.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims of this module are as follows:
* To get you accustomed to computer-aided interpreting training tools for self and paired-up training (CAIT).
* To develop your practical ability to interpret between English and X and vice versa through a wide variety of tasks.
* To develop strong competence and effective strategies for CI. You will develop the following CI skills:
o Active-listening
o Information processing
o Short-term memory
o Note-taking
o Grasping the logical development of the source speech
o Discourse marker
o Delivering the meaning/sense between source and target language
* To work with interpreting partners and clients under different circumstances and type of assignments.
* To efficiently prepare for an assignment while communicating with the event organizer and knowing where to obtain resources that will facilitate interpreting.
* To acquire basic background knowledge of the common fields.
* To familiarize you with and develop your knowledge of the main interpreting theories and schools.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of the module, you will demonstrate the following skills:
* To be able to record and evaluate your performance by using BlackBox in weekly self and paired-up training.
* To improve competence and acquire strategies in English/Portuguese and Portuguese/English CI.
* To be able to adopt interpreting strategies in challenging circumstances to ensure the quality of performance.
* To be able to interpret speeches of at least 20 minutes and with medium level of difficulty.
* To have good communication skills to work with partners, clients, speakers and AV tools.
* To be able to conduct research and preparation material filing competently based on critical awareness of the different roles people play on a conference.
* To be able to reflect on the interpreting process, applying appropriate theoretical knowledge.
- Module Supervisor: Beatriz De Paiva