Behind the Lines:
Telephonic Interpreting
Telephonic interpretation can be a great career or
source of supplemental income during down times between translations or other
contract jobs. Currently, there are several companies seeking telephonic
interpreters due to improvements in technology and because this type of service
provides convenience for the speaker, the client and the interpreter. However,
interpretation via telephone has some challenges and considerations. These
include working with limitations in gestures or other non-verbal communication
cues that often help in efficient and effective interpretation. Another
important consideration is ensuring access and mastery of appropriate
telephonic interpretation technologies. However, with a little patience, skill
and some specific tools, these challenges can be overcome.
Challenges
in Communication
While an interpreter should always provide direct
translation of ideas and words, this is not always easy to do with telephonic
interpretation. In face-to-face interpretation, you usually can read gestures
and have access to other material or environmental cues to help gauge the
content of the interpretation between the client and Limited English
Proficiency client (LEP). However, for telephonic interpretation, these
non-verbal cues and circumstantial information are not always available.
For example, at the start of a call, the client
usually asks a question to the LEP without giving the interpreter any prior
knowledge of the situation or content of the communication. In addition, there
is generally no information given from the call center operator connecting the
interpreter to the client and LEP. Therefore, the interpreter does not know
where either the client or the LEP are located or what the content of the
communication entails. Often it isn’t until well into the interpretation
session that the interpreter understands the content and setting of the
communication. For example, the client may be a nurse in a hospital and the LEP
a patient or the client may be a Sales Representative and the LEP a potential
at-home customer. In other words, settings can vary drastically from one phone
call to another – including settings as diverse as the ER (Emergency Room), OR
(Operation Room), ICU (Intensive Care Unit), insurance company, bank, retail
store, asylum or court.
To overcome these challenges, patience is an
interpreter’s greatest strength. It helps to know that the client often doesn’t
realize how the telephonic interpretation system works or understand the
complexities of language. You may sometimes need to provide a brief explanation
or walk-through on policy and procedure or clarification on language use. For
example, often an LEP will use a harsh interjection such as “um” or “uh” and
the client demands to know what the LEP is saying, thinking that this is
substantive content. Furthermore, asking the client for clarification at the
start of a call is often beneficial. Sometimes it is not known that
clarification was needed until well into a call so the more inquisitive you are
at the start of the call, the easier a call can be. Also helpful to understand
is that LEPs in addition to facing challenges in English, some LEPs may not be
proficient in their own language. Sometimes a walk through to explain the
alphabet is necessary. Thus, patience is key.
Technology
Needs and Suggestions
The technological requirements for telephonic
interpretation usually include a basic computer (sometimes you need to log into
your company's account, time sheet), a telephone line (usually a direct
landline is required, but as landlines are becoming increasingly rare, digital
lines are a sometimes acceptable), a headphone set (while you can hold the
phone to your head you may find it increasingly straining on your neck and
hand), a pad of paper and a writing utensil - you will be taking a lot of notes
and this is very important!
To begin, the most essential tool is the telephone
and telephone connection. Telephonic interpretation companies generally do not
want interpreters to use wireless devices, especially cell phones, due to network
unreliability (dropping calls, bad voice quality and battery life). Home phone
wireless handsets are also not recommended due to handset battery lives which
may not be able to support the unpredicted length of an interpretation session.
Interpretation sessions can be as brief as a few seconds (simply wanting to
know what few words an LEP is saying) or as long as a few hours.
VoIP (Voice over IP), the trend of future
telephones, is an option but requires a reliable Internet connection. Moreover,
some interpretation companies do not allow VoIP phone lines while others focus
on VoIP such as Cisco system. You can also easily build your home VoIP system
if your company allows you to do so. For
example, with Vonage you simply pay a monthly fee for acess to all the perks.
If you want to go even cheaper, Ooma is a good choice. Ooma provides crystal
clear sound with monthly tax charges. MagicJack and netTALK are not recommended
by any company. If you want to go totally bill-free, choose Obihai. Some of
those models provide Wi-Fi adapters to allow for continuous work while
traveling. However, some companies have restrictions on Call Waiting and Voice
Mail setup issues. Always check company technology policies before purchasing
these products.
Related to the telephone line connection is the
headphone set requirement. A headphone set is important because it allows you
to have your hands free while on-call. Your hands will be busy taking notes. As
mentioned earlier, telephonic interpreting is often content-heavy and will
require note taking for effective information relay. Having to hold the phone
limits your ability to take notes. Using speaker phone is not a good practice
either as this often produces echoes and other distortions. You will want to
have as clear a reception as possible.
Also important is a standard computer connected to
the Internet. For the most part, this is not required but working without it
will make the work that much more challenging. E-mail communication with your
supervisor or other administrative within the interpretation company is common
for telephonic interpreters. Time sheets for recording time off as well as
tracking calls are also common. Usually a telephonic interpreter has a portal
in which he/she will track time spent interpreting.
Telephonic
Interpretation Companies
There are several telephonic interpretation
companies to consider. Some do not require extensive experience or
certification but others do. The information shared here is not exhaustive but is
representative of my experience and knowledge of the sector.
Call center based companies provide much better
benefits than home-based contractors. Full-time call centers provide benefits
such as medical, vision, dental, 401K, paid time off, bonuses, training, and
educational reimbursements. However, at-home telephonic interpreters, generally
considered contractors, have many benefits as well. Not only is there the perk
of being able to work from home (no costly commute), companies usually provide
higher rates for interpretation. The downside is that there is not as much of a
guarantee that you will get calls. At-home contractors are compensated based on
call volume. Some get overnight bonuses; some get special language bonuses
(mostly for the rarest languages). Usually, contractors do not get any benefits
because they are not considered full-time. However, they sometimes are allowed
VTO (Voluntary Time Off) or unlimited VTO depending on the company.
Conclusion
In summary, telephonic interpretation can be a very
rewarding job. It often provides a flexible working schedule in the convenience
of your own home. However, it can also be very stressful, due to limited access
to non-verbal communication cues or poor quality equipment. However, a little
patience can go a long way. Finding a company that will suit your schedule
needs and pay interests is key. Do research to find which company will work
best within your schedule and qualifications.
Huilin Gao
Chinese<>English
Translator and Interpreter, University of Phoenix
NUTS AND BOLTS IN
CHINESE<>ENGLISH TRANSLATION III
The third installment of the
presentation on “Nuts and Bolts in Chinese <> English Translation”
focused on five aspects of Chinese to English translation including “Rephrasing
and Restructuring”, “Handling of Verbs”, “Definitions”, “Headings and Idioms”,
and “Shades of Meanings”. Here is a
brief summary of each point covered in the presentation.
Rephrasing
and Restructuring
This part of the presentation
primarily addressed breaking up the long sentence structures that are common in
Chinese. Breaking down such sentences can make a translation more easily
understood. We also addressed the shortage of Chinese equivalents of English grammatical
parts (articles, propositions, plural forms, etc.).
Handling
of Verbs
The second part of the
presentation dealt with correctly handling transitive and intransitive verbs and
the proper contextual use of active and passive verbs. A translator also needs
to be alert for opportunities to use action verbs and modal verbs.
Definitions
Chinese texts are full of
conceptual definitions. A translator
needs to be sure that these definitions are clearly understandable to target
readers and are expressed in idiomatic English.
Headings
and Idioms
Under “headings”, we discussed
various prefixes and suffixes used to transform Chinese words such as “-性” and “-化”. From that
discussion, we shifted into a discussion of how to approach idioms “成语”. We
suggested using toned-down terms to avoid awkwardness and offered tips for
avoiding the use of English clichés equivalent to Chinese idioms.
Shades
of Meaning
The presentation closed with a
discussion of nuances in translating some commonly seen Chinese words such as “意义”, “条件”, “ 效益”, and “单位”. The
challenge is to be aware of the richness of these terms and ensuring that the
proper meaning is conveyed to target readers.
Professor Yuanxi Ma
English<> Chinese
Translator and Interpreter
Di Wu
Chinese <> English
Translator and Interpreter
TIPS FOR TAKING THE CHINESE TO ENGLISH CERTIFICATION EXAM
Introduction
Efforts to develop the English to
Chinese Accreditation Program
were begun by volunteers in the 1990s. The first sitting for the exam was in
1997 at the ATA’s Annual Conference in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Only one
candidate passed the exam.
In the late 1990s, the grading
system was based on three out of five translated passages. Graders tracked both
“major” and “minor” errors. A candidate who made two or more major errors
failed the exam. The current grading system is more sophisticated and refined.
Candidates for certification are required to complete one
mandatory passage and are allowed to chose to translate one of two other passages.
Now, there are multiple error categories and errors are evaluated on a scale of
1 to 16 points per error. A candidate who has accumulated 18 points or more
will fail the exam.
Sample Errors
& Comments
Paspalum
Grows Up
Source Text
|
Candidate’s Translation
|
Comments
|
For some, paspalum is simply a superintendent’s best
friend.
|
从某种意义上讲，雀稗简直就是球场总监最好的朋友。
|
“从某种意义上讲”
Not accurate
F:4
|
In the world of warm-season golf course grasses, seashore
paspalum has been touted as the next big thing.
|
在暖季型高尔夫球场草坪的视野，海滨雀稗草享誉为未来的喜好。
|
Totally inaccurate, MU/F:8
在高尔夫球场暖季型草坪的领域中，海滨雀稗广受青睐，掀起了一番前所未有的热潮。
|
Known for its salt tolerance, the grass is marketed as the
answer for salt affected sites from California to the Carolinas.
|
众所周知，此草的耐盐性,将会是从西到东沿海盐质球场的答案。
|
A/F:8
|
此草以耐盐性著称，所以在从加利福尼亚州到卡罗莱纳州的市场上被定位为受盐碱影响地区的解决方案。
|
A/F:8
|
Coastal courses that experience salt spray, and inland
courses with salty wells or variable TDS irrigation water such as effluent,
have greatly benefited from the resilience of the grass.
|
即使沿海球场常有盐雾，内陆球场的水井含盐,浇灌水源含有污水而不断排出不同的溶解固体，雀稗草却凭着柔韧的生命力而扎根。
|
Multiple errors, total disaster
|
那些遭受盐雾的海滨球场，以及拥有盐井或污水等TDS水平各异灌溉水的内陆球场都极大地受益于这种草的耐盐能力。
|
A,F:4+4
|
Western
Thinking
Source Text
|
Candidate’s Translation
|
Comments
|
He wanted to clarify the correct use of concepts like
justice and love by pointing out incorrect usage.
|
他希望透過指出不正確的用法而澄清概念的正確用法，如正義和愛等等。
|
Hard to tell whether “正義和愛” modifies “概念.” F:4
|
他想藉指出一些概念如司法和愛的不當用法，而浧清它們的正確運用。
|
浧 is a typo P:1
|
From past experience we would put together “boxes,”
definitions, categories or principles.
|
我们会根据以往的经验将“框架”、定义、类别或原理罗列在一起。
|
MU:8
|
根据過去的經驗，我們可以将定義、類別或原則等组成一些「盒子」
|
MU:8
|
As a result, Western thinking is concerned with “what is,”
which is determined by analysis, judgment and argument.
|
因此，西方思想著重「是什麼」，亦即透過分析、判斷和辯論而確定。
|
MU:8
|
If, later on, it is essential to choose between the
differing positions, an attempt to choose is made at that point.
|
如果后来必须从不同的立场中作选择的话，届时再进行选取。
|
AMB:4
|
Welfare
Source Text
|
Candidate’s Translation
|
Comments
|
… expanding the set of families eligible for family
assistance plans or guaranteed income measures …
|
…扩大符合条件加入家庭补助计划的家庭群体或扩展收入保障措施…
|
Both "family assistance plans" AND
"guaranteed income measures" modify "the set of families
eligible." MU:4
|
If all poor families could receive welfare, would the
incidence of instability change markedly?
|
假如所有贫困家庭都能得到社会福利，会明显改变家庭稳定性吗？
|
Unfaithful translation of “incidence of instability ” F:4
|
… the unhappily married couple who remain together out of
a sense of economic responsibility for their children, because of the high
costs of separation, or because of the consumption benefits of marriage.
|
…出於對子女的經濟責任感而繼續共同生活──由於分居的高昂費用，或者由於婚姻的消費益處──的不幸福已婚夫婦。
|
|
…出於對其子女的經濟責任感，又基於分居成本太高，或婚姻的消費利益而不得不勉強維持結合的已婚配偶。
|
The benefits of such a partnership depend largely on the
relative dissimilarity of the resources or basic endowments each partner
brings to the marriage.
|
這種夥伴關係的益處大體上取決於每個夥伴帶進婚姻的資源或基本財產的相對差異。
|
|
此等夥伴關係的益處在相當程度上取決於每個夥伴為此婚姻帶來之資源或基本才能的相對不同。
|
Much of the variation in marital stability across income
classes …
|
各種收入階層在婚姻穩定性的很多差異…
|
"Much of the variation" is not "很多差異". The word
"variation" is missing. F:8
|
Immigration
Source Text
|
Candidate’s Translation
|
Comments
|
… the discontent that the anti-immigration movement has
tapped into.
|
…反移民运动已经出现的不满。
|
F:4
|
Immigration has been a blessing to the United States, but
it is not an unmixed blessing,
|
移民向來是美國的福祉，但也並非毫無雜音，
|
F:4
|
移民向来是上帝对美利坚合众国的恩赐，但也不是一纯粹的恩赐，
|
A:4
|
Rather than dismiss all immigration critics as xenophobes,
supporters of immigrant rights need to deal with the legitimate gripes of
their opponents.
|
移民权利的支持者们不应把所有的移民批评者斥之为“恐惧外国人者”，而需认真对付他们的反对者的正当合理的抱怨。
|
AMB:4
|
與其駁斥所有批抨移民者是仇外人士，移民權利的支持者需要慎重對待其對手合理的抱怨。
|
A:4
|
The most basic (and perhaps the simplest to deal with) is
that immigrants cost local governments money even as they fill federal
coffers with income, especially from payroll taxes.
|
最基本的（也许是最容易说明的）是即使移民的收入，特别是工薪税，流入联邦金库，他们却耗费当地政府的金钱。
|
MU/F/COH: 8 total
|
A study found that the average immigrant puts a net
lifetime fiscal cost of $25,000 on state and local governments.
|
一項研究顯示，一般移民在一生中花去了州政府和地方政府 25,000 美元的淨會計成本。
|
T:4
|
Less straightforward but still important are…
|
較不直接但是同樣重要的抱怨，則是 …
|
T/F:4
|
Low-income native workers worried about their own wages
and job opportunities cannot be dismissed as special pleaders.
|
擔心自己工資和工作機會的低收入土生勞工不能被簡單打發成特殊求情者。
|
The exact meaning of “special pleader” is not clear,
therefore, no deduction is made.
|
擔憂自己薪資和工作機會的低收入本國工人不能被斥為要求特殊待遇而了結。
|
Paradoxically, those fighting to achieve justice for
immigrants will reach their goal only if they are also seen as fighting for
justice for the native-born.
|
自相矛盾的是那些为移民获得公平正义而奋斗的人们只有当自己也为本土工人的公平正义而奋斗时才会达到其目标。
|
“Paradoxical” means “seemingly contradictory”, MU:4
|
Conclusion
Before you take the exam, accumulate as
much experience as possible. Practice translating under time pressure, seek out
certified mentors and broaden your linguistic horizons. During the exam, take
your time and read the text very, very carefully. Be precise when rendering
your translation. Re-read the entire passage and your translation.
If you don’t pass the exam on the first
try – don’t be too disheartened, the passing rate is only roughly 15%. Take the
exam as a learning experience and as a source of important feedback for your
next attempt. There are many reasons for the high failure rates – if at first
you don’t succeed, try and try again!
