Those who need a foreign language interpreter to organize conferences, negotiations and meetings should be aware of the main characteristics that the interpreter must have to do the job well.
The interpreter’s work is extremely delicate, since a mistranslated word can divert the course of a negotiation and even bring it to an end. The same can happen in any discipline with all types of messages.
Consequently, the interpreter has a crucial responsibility that should never be underestimated by the company that hires him or her.
Characteristics of a foreign language interpreter
A foreign language interpreter is not only someone who can translate words that are spoken in certain contexts. You must also be able to apply the message to the way the other language is spoken, and you must understand the subject matter in depth in order to use the correct synonyms and avoid confusion.
Below, we will tell you what this professional should be like, what characteristics and skills he/she should have and how to identify the one who can really serve your company.
You must know the languages in which you will be working.
This is the main thing. The foreign language interpreter must have a good knowledge of the language he/she is listening to and the language he/she will be interpreting.
That is why at Lingua Language Center we make it a priority for our interpreters to have the highest level in both languages, and in fact to be native in one of them.
The foreign language interpreter cannot make mistakes. That would put your client’s money, reputation and goals at risk. So in our institution we offer total quality in this aspect.
We have a staff of expert interpreters in languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Creole, among others. In addition, we can cover any of the living languages thanks to our global network of linguists.
You must quickly analyze each sentence
The foreign language interpreter needs to quickly analyze the sender’s intention of the message. You should know when you are using jargon and when you are speaking figuratively or with metaphors.
Each person speaks differently and uses different rhetorical devices. This can make translation difficult for inexperienced interpreters.
This quality is obtained with practice, and that makes Lingua Language Center one of the best possible options for companies, as we have been doing this job better and better for years.
The foreign language interpreter must synthesize
Interpretation is not a literal translation, but exactly what the name implies. So, in order to save time while the sender is speaking, the professional should summarize the information. Of course: you also have to prioritize the data and to say them in order, and at the same time avoid missing any of them. Everything must be said, because that is what the customer expects.
However, the interpreter must be able to say it more succinctly for communication to really work.
Must be able to handle jargon and technical vocabulary.
Most language service companies require their interpreters to memorize the technical vocabulary to be covered on site in order to be able to understand and convey everything that will be said by the speaker.
At Lingua Language Center, the key difference is that we already have expert interpreters in each of the main areas.
We have interpreters in several languages who are also experts in various subjects such as:
– Applied sciences.
– Technology.
– Tourism.
– Literature.
– Cultural topics in general.
– Financial issues.
– International business.
– Legal matters.
– Courts.
Lingua’s experts are even certified as interpreters and translators in these specific areas of expertise. So there will be no margin of error for the receivers to understand exactly what the speaker or sender meant.
The foreign language interpreter needs a good memory
Short-term memory will be essential to remember exactly the sentence the speaker has just said. Especially when he has said several concatenated sentences.
On the other hand, it will require a good long-term memory to remember the technical vocabulary if you are not specialized–which is not the case with Lingua Language Center at least for most disciplines and fields.
Requires creativity
Creativity will be a consequence of your experience, your knowledge of the subject matter and your ability to improvise on the fly. The interpreter will need it to be able to adapt the message to the other language in a simple and error-free manner.
Public speaking skills
In the case of interpreters, this is vital. Not only must they be able to speak in public without problems, but they also need to find a balance so as not to take the spotlight away from the speaker at any time.
At Lingua Language Center, we have all the necessary technology to perform the different types of interpreting.
If you need the services of a foreign language interpreter, please contact us. We can help you with all your interpreting and translation needs.