Public Service Interpretingand Business Interpreting:A professional landscape

Marta StelmaszakOctober 2013

Agenda

• About the speaker• Introduction• Public Service Interpreting (PSI)• Business Interpreting (BI)• Differences and similarities

Introduction

• Variety of settings• Variety of environments• Variety of skills• Variety of topics• Variety!

PSI (1)

• General PSI landscape: interpreting to facilitate the provision of public services in the UK

• It’s essential to see all stakeholders

PSI (2)

PS

Education

Environment

Fire services

Health care

Law enforcement

Public security

Public transportation

Public housing

Social care

Waste management

PSI – clients (3)

• My work in the past (up until 2011): hired by PS providers (courts, police, hospitals, GPs, councils, schools, mental health hospitals)

• My work now (after 2011): hired by organisations or private companies in relation to Public Services

PSI – clients (4)

• My work now (this year so far):• As an additional interpreter for the defence in court• For conferences with clients• In prisons• For insurance companies• For individuals• In county courts• For Trade Unions• Charities• Environment Agency• Litigation services• Courts (CPS)

PSI – skills

• According DPSI Handbook (http://www.iol.org.uk/qualifications/DPSI/Handbook/DPSIHB11.pdf):

• A good command of English and the Other Language (interpreting both ways)

• A familiarity with, and objective understanding of, the cultures in question

• Competence in the relevant interpreting and translating techniques

• An ability to function professionally in all situations• Commitment to the professional code of conduct of NRPSI• Sound knowledge of the structures, procedures and commonly

used terminology• Complete impartiality of attitude, speech and script

PSI – Code of Conduct

• Acting professionally • Impartiality• Confidentiality

PSI – A day in life

PSI – Challenges

• Unpredictability and variety• Impartiality• Emotional burden and stress• Cultural knowledge

PSI – Resources

• NRPSI Code of Conduct (http://www.nrpsi.co.uk/pdf/CodeofConduct07.pdf)

• DPSI Handbook (http://www.iol.org.uk/qualifications/DPSI/Handbook/DPSIHB11.pdf)

• ‘Interpreters and the Legal Process’, Colin & Morris, 2003• ‘Public service interpreting: the first steps’, Corsellis,

2008• ‘Note-taking for public service interpreters’, Heimerl-

Moggan & John• AIIC (http://aiic.net/page/239/, http://aiic.net/page/234)

• Critical Link conferences

Business Interpreting (1)

• Areas of work: • Business people meeting• Mergers/takeovers talks• Contract negotiations• Factory/site tours• Finance meetings• Trade fairs• Press conferences• Training• Disciplinary meetings

Business Interpreting (2)

• I moved to business interpreting after 2011• My work in this area: meetings between

companies, contract negotiations, trade fairs, training, disciplinary meetings, international visits, site visits

BI – skills (1)

• Interpreting skills• Business knowledge• Business awareness• Cultural awareness• Industry knowledge• Interpersonal skills

BI – A day in life

BI – Challenges

• Knowledge of business and industry (abbreviations, acronyms)

• Interpersonal skills• Your role as an interpreter• Stamina• Idioms and jokes• Memory• No materials• Cultural differences

BI – Resources

• ‘Becoming a professional business interpreter’, Kirsty Heimerl-Moggan’s webinar (http://www.ecpdwebinars.co.uk/becoming_professional_business_interpreter.html)

• ‘Public speaking for interpreters’, The Interpreter Diaries (http://theinterpreterdiaries.com/2012/03/09/public-speaking-for-interpreters/)

• ‘What is the mandate given to interpreters in business negotiation meetings?’, Karanasiou

Questions

Marta Stelmaszakwww.wantwords.co.uk

marta@wantwords.co.uk@mstelmaszak

• Challenges• Differences and similarities