Thursday, January 31, 2013

Professional Perspectives--2013 Spring Issue


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 “-” and “-”. 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[1] 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,雀稗直就是球场总监最好的朋友。
从某种意
Not accurate
F:4

In the world of warm-season golf course grasses, seashore paspalum has been touted as the next big thing.
在暖季型高夫球草坪的野,海雀稗草享誉未来的喜好
Totally inaccurate, MU/F:8
在高夫球暖季型草坪的域中,海雀稗广受青,掀起了一番前所未有的潮。
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,将会是从西到沿海盐质的答案。
A/F:8
此草以耐性著称,所以在从加利福尼州到卡的市上被定位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.
即使沿海球常有盐雾,内的水井含,灌水源含有水而不断排出不同的溶解固体,雀稗草却凭着柔的生命力而扎根。
Multiple errors, total disaster
那些遭受盐雾的海,以及水等TDS水平各异灌水的内极大地受益于种草的耐能力。
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。
is a typo  P:1
From past experience we would put together “boxes,” definitions, categories or principles.
会根据以往的经验框架、定类别或原理列在一起。
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.
如果后来必从不同的立中作选择,届取。
AMB:4

Welfare
Source Text
Candidate’s Translation
Comments
… expanding the set of families eligible for family assistance plans or guaranteed income measures …
大符合条件加入家庭划的家庭群体或展收入保障措施
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? 
假如所有困家庭都能得到社会福利,会明家庭定性
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.
反移民运的不
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
移民向来是上帝美利合众国的恩,但也不是一粹的恩
A:4
Rather than dismiss all immigration critics as xenophobes, supporters of immigrant rights need to deal with the legitimate gripes of their opponents.
移民利的支持者把所有的移民批者斥之恐惧外国人者,而需付他的反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(是最容易明的)是即使移民的收入,特是工薪税,流入邦金,他却耗当地政府的金
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. 
自相矛盾的是那些移民得公平正斗的人只有当自己也本土工人的公平正才会达到其目
“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!

Gang Li
Chinese <> English Translator and Interpreter
e-mail: gangli@gangli.info




[1] The Accreditation Program was later renamed the “Certification Program”.


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