Thinking about dipping my toe into interpreting

Kevin Fulton wrote:

There are at least different types of interpreting: simultaneous interpretation (SI), consecutive interpretation, and whispered interpretation. The requirement of each type depends on the environment (plant visit, business meeting, conference, etc.).

Robert Forstag wrote:

A good first step would simply be to observe interpreters in a number of situations/settings that you are interested in working in. If, after a series of such observation sessions, you honestly believe that you can are capable of doing such work, the next step would be to get some formal training.

But first things first.

Mariane Lambert wrote:

Hi Inez,

I’ve been trying to get some interpreting training myself for the past few years.

I cannot speak to the Proz + MCIS Online Language Interpreter Training Program. It might be a good introduction to interpreting. The only thing that would dissuade me is the fact that it is only taught in English and that there are no language-specific classes.

Some years ago, I attended an info session at the MCIS in Toronto (assuming this is the same organization) and looked into their training programs. They do offer online language-specific training opportunities that I had heard good feedback about, but again I don’t have any first-hand experience. You can have a look here: https://www.mcislanguages.com/programs-training/

I did attend a two-week in-person interpreting course in Germersheim in 2019. This was geared towards translators who want to start offering interpreting services. I found it very good as a general introduction. We practiced note-taking, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, did some memory exercises, etc. Overall a great experience. I don’t know if/when they’ll be offering this short course again, but you can check their website: https://www.iris-akademie.de/index.php

I am currently completing the admission process to start an online Master of interpreting program with a Canadian university in September, but in my opinion the investment, financial and otherwise, that such an undertaking requires makes it a viable option only if you’re sure this is something you want to do in your future career.

Best of luck to you!


[Edited at 2022-05-05 15:30 GMT]

Liviu-Lee Roth wrote:

I have been doing both for over 25 years and I can confirm that right now there is a huge demand for remote interpreting.
It depends on your specific field of specialization; interpreting does not mean only UN, EU or conferences. There are so many other social services in need of interpreting.
I never attended any interpreting classes before I started.
If you feel confident, you could try court interpreting - very interesting.
You should research the fields that are in demand as well as the pay. I am more than happy for the rate I am getting paid in the US for my language pair.
I would suggest to give it a shot in a community setting/medical/car insurance/immigration. These are less demanding.
Good luck
Lee

Inez Ulrich wrote:



Hi Lee, thanks a lot for your input
I didn't think of UN, EU or such organizations anyway (even though this surely is highly interesting), but of business meetings, assessments (like the jobs I have been offerend the last few years).
But you mentioned court interpreting - can this be done remotely, too? Honestly, I'm not very keen of travelling all the time or often😁.

I have been thinking about all this for a few weeks now and my stomach tells me to get active and do a class at least. As this gut feeling hasn't vanished (which is does really fast when something isn't for me) and I usually can rely on it, I think I will simply enroll in one of the programs and see. Other colleagues told me to just start practicing with speeches on Youtube etc. and just give it a try.

And another question: How do you get interpreting jobs? I know sometimes here interpreter jobs are posted, also on a few FB groups, but how do you get jobs for courts interpreting, to use that example? For conferences, UN, EU etc. this seems to be almost not possible, I think.