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Short glossary of translation and interpreting
Translation
Computer-aided translation
Abbreviation: CAT
Consistency
A difference is made between terminological and phraseological consistency.
These describe the characteristics of a text, in which the same object or basic concept is always referred to with the same term (terminological consistency), or alternatively, if the same procedure or idea is always described with exactly with the same phrase(s) or sentence(s), right down to the comma (phraseological consistence).
The observation of consistency is particularly important in the case of technical texts, as it greatly improves the comprehensibility of the text.
Degree of difficulty
The degree of difficulty of a translation can vary considerably from text to text. It depends on the technical level of the text, the type of text and the demands placed on the aptitude of the translator.
Formatting
Formatting includes the preparation of the documents for translation, listing diagram contents in tables (with PDF files), final inspection of the text layout and matching formats with the source text.
Galley proofreading
After the layout of the finished translation, but before printing, we recommend a final control. This is to ensure that any changes made after delivery of the original have been incorporated without error and that no subsequent mistakes, e.g. hyphenations or the layout, have crept in.
Project management
In this context, project management describes the administration of a translation assignment.
This involves coordinating the joint efforts of several process participants – translators, proofreaders, the person who does the layout. Furthermore, special requirements must be met: the deadlines, the terminology in technical translations, multilanguage translations, etc.
Proofreading / editing
Proofreading describes the close reading and revision of a translation (or another text). Any errors are eliminated, the orthographical and grammatical correctness of the translation is checked and, if necessary, the style is polished and improved.
Mother tongue translator
A professional translation agency only allows appropriately qualified native-speakers to make translations into the target language. The translation itself is followed by proofreading – in our agency this is carried out by translators whose mother tongue is the language of the source text – which ensures that all the nuances of the source text have been understood and translated.
Source text
Source text =the language of the original text
Standard line
In the German-speaking world, the unit “standard line” is used to determine the size of the text and to calculate the translation price. The standard line differs from a printed line by the fixed number of characters. This is 55 characters, including spaces.
In some countries such as France and Great Britain, the number of words is used as the basis for the calculation.
Target text
Target language =the language of the translation
Terminology management
The use of a uniform, often company-specific, terminology is a crucial feature of the quality of a translation. Terminology management involves the recording, processing, storage and usage of terminological data. These days there a numerous terminology management programs on the market for administrating multilanguage databases of technical terms.
Translating competence
Special qualifications are necessary to produce professional translations.
Besides competence in the foreign and mother tongue language, these include technical, cultural, communicative skills and a special aptitude for translation.
Translation
Translation describes the written transposition of a text from a source language into a target language.
Translation tools
This refers to computer programs that support the translator in his work. Such tools include translation memories and localisation tools, automated translation programs, terminology management systems, electronic dictionaries and glossaries, text analysis programs, project management software, word counting programs, etc.
Interpreting
Conference equipment
Depending on the event location, simultaneous interpreters either work in permanent or transportable booths. All simultaneous interpreting booths must be soundproof. For the size and specifications of transportable interpreting booths, the applicable standards are ISO 4043 and DIN 56924-2. The requirement is one booth per language.
The interpreters hear the spoken word over headphones in the booth and speak the translation into a microphone. The people in the audience require headphones with a radio or infrared receiver.
Consecutive interpreting
As a rule the interpreter sits beside the speaker, makes notes and interprets at short intervals or at the end of the statement, lecture or speech.
Conference languages
To ascertain how many interpreters are required, it is important to envision exactly when a particular language will be spoken and when and into which language it should be interpreted. It is also essential to know which languages the listeners speak and understand, or whether there will be occasional question rounds, etc.
Escort interpreting
The interpreters accompany (small) delegations and groups on their tours and generally provide consecutive or whispered interpretation.
Interpreter team - Chef d'Equipe/Team leader
In principle, one language combination requires two interpreters, who, taking German and English as an example, generally translate both from English into German and in the opposite direction. It is not the number of languages that requires the assignment of two translators; it is the immense concentration levels required, which leads to signs of fatigue after approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The interpreter should therefore be changed approximately every 20 to 30 minutes to ensure the quality is maintained.
In every interpreter team, one of the interpreters acts as the Chef d’Equipe; he is your contact person and coordinates the team.
Interpreting
A spoken text is translated orally for another person into another language. Situations where interpretation is required include conferences, negotiations, market research interviews, press conferences, company tours, workshops and seminars.
Mobile tour guide system
Mobile tour guide systems (or whisper boxes) are portable, radio-supported transmission systems, consisting of a microphone for the interpreter and headphones for the listeners. They are used for mobile assignments or for smaller events. However, they make the working conditions for the interpreter much more difficult, because they are exposed to distracting ambient noise.
Negotiation interpreting
Consecutive or whispered interpreting is usually used for negotiations and discussions in small groups.
Simultaneous interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting refers to speeches, lectures, discussions, etc. that are translated into another language by the interpreters at the same time they are spoken. This type of interpreting demands high concentration levels. So that the simultaneous interpreters can concentrate on the essential without being distracted by disturbing noises, soundproof booths are necessary; the interpretation is transmitted to the listeners’ headphones.
Sound recording
Interpreters hold the copyright to their interpreter performances. Recording and re-use of interpretation services are only permissible within the framework of contractual agreements. It is advisable to discuss sound recording and its further use as early as the contract stage, because an additional fee may be payable.
Types of interpretation
Different types of interpretation are used, depending on the event and the communication situation. The different types are:
- Escort interpreting
- Whispered interpreting
- Consecutive interpreting
- Simultaneous interpreting
- Negotiation interpreting
Whispered interpreting - chuchotage
Whispered interpreting is the name given to simultaneous interpreting without the use of interpreting equipment. The interpreters are positioned right next to or behind the participants and whisper the translation for very small group of listeners. If interpreting is required for a larger number of listeners, a mobile tour guide system is used as an aid.