Many students ask what are the important qualities for being an interpreter and how to be trained to be a professional interpreter. Due to my own experience, I would love to share my views on the topic with you.
To begin with, I want to say some wonderful benefits that you will get for working as an interpreter. First, you could earn some money, second, you could better understand different cultures. Third, you’ll know great persons and they may have far-reaching influences in your life, bring you some fantastic chances like working as their China virtual assistants, sourcing agent and consultant, etc.
Next, let’s turn to muttons. Discuss how to be a qualified interpreter in China.
First of all, a sound English foundation with regards to grammar, speaking, listening, and translating is a must. Besides good listening and nice spoken English, I believe one more important thing is to be able to express yourself in English very quickly and correctly.
For many interpreters in China, I think they are weak in this point and should improve it in several ways, like reading more, debating more and speaking more.
Actually, to practice interpreting skills, I suggest that the interpreter look for a partner to practise for at least two hours every day. When I was in university, I found a partner to practice English. Usually, we do interpreting for one hour, select a topic to debate for another hour in our daily life.
Second, Taking note is an important skill. To master it is a tough task. Usually, it takes a Chinese interpreter a long time to improve their ability of taking notes. While doing interpreting, such things often take place, like forgetting what the meaning of the notes taken down, omitting important information, forgetting the logic of the words on the note, and so on. I just feel the best way is to pursue a balance, the one between the note and the short-term memory, and form your own noting style and your own signals which signify certain meanings. To achieve it, interpreter needs practice for a long time.
Third, remember as many sentence patterns, phrases, and expressions as possible. An interpreter also should read newspapers in both English and Chinese. They help them acquire new knowledge and learn new words every day.
Finally, cultivate good habits while doing interpreting. For example, once open your mouth to interpret, stick to your way of interpreting and do not change your diction or sentence patterns. To do it successfully, an interpreter needs to learn to employ different ways to express the same idea and try to do it consciously in the daily life. And also, learn some public speaking skills and behave as a public speaker while doing interpreting.
Of course, there are many more for a Chinese interpreter to study and improve concerning consecutive interpreting, but I think the above-mentioned are the most basic and important ones.
In one word, to be a qualified interpreter is not an easy task.. You need determination, diligence, hard work, interest and perseverance to support you on your way to success.
By the way, if you want to look for some part-time jobs regarding interpretation and translation, you could try interpretersky.
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