Lesson 10: Focus on careers conference interpreter

A. Look up the following words and phrases in a dictionary. Then use them in sentences that show their meaning.

1. Try to avoid too many technical terms if possible.
2. I want a postgraduate to help me with my research.
3. She will get a diploma in accounting.
4. Working as a doctor is stressful.
5. ‘Morning of light’ is the literal translation of ‘Good morning’.

B. Find words or phrases in the text on page 33 of the Student’s Book that mean:

1. yearly = annual
2. things you put over your ears to listen privately = headphones
3. the box-like room where interpreters work = booth
4. in a difficult situation = under pressure
5. give an idea of the meaning = convey the sense
6. wanted or needed = in demand
7. unemployed = out of a job

1. unemployed → out of job
2. in a difficult situation, under pressure
3. headphones → things you put over your ears to listen privately.
4. wanted and needed → in demand
5. A booth is a box – like room where interpreters work.
6. convey the sense → give an idea of the meaning.

Samira’s active language is Arabic.

Why shouldn’t an interpreter was time thinking?

An interpreters shouldn’t waste time thinking because he/she will miss the rest of the speech.

• Freelance means people who can’t bear to be away from the office for more than a few hours.
• (True / False)
• Samira Al Mahmoud is (an interpreter / a banker)
• Samira read about the subject of oil in order to be familiar with technical terms.

Why should interpreters read newspapers?

to have good general knowledge and to know what is going on in the world.

To train as an interpreter, you need to get a degree in ……………… and ………………

English or Arabic and postgraduate diploma in interpreting.

• The course in conference interpreting was very (a. easy b. difficult)
• To be a good interpreter you should think fast. (True / False)

What are the qualifications of an interpreter?

An interpreter must remain calm under pressure and be able to think fast.

• Interpreters must have three active languages. (True / False)
• Conference interpreters must translate each word literally. (True / False)

Why shouldn’t interpreters think of the word that doesn’t come to them?

Because they mustn’t waste time trying to remember it and they will miss the rest of the speech.

• After leaving school, Samira did a degree in English at the University of London. (a. True b. False)
• A good interpreter follows the news and is well-informed on many topics. (True / False)
• Samira Al Mahmoud was born in (a. Iraq b. Britain)
• It is very easy to get a place on an interpreting course. (True / False)
• Samira’s active language is Arabic. (True / False)
• Samira was born in Britain. (True / False)