In the need of an interpretor for a meeting or the solving of a problem with some company or administration?
Get in touch now: (0) 631 739 917. I'll be happy to help you sorting it out.
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>> INTERPRETATION SERVICE Text & translation: Claire F. Dionet 2002. All rights reserved.
As a native French speaker, I provide a freelance interpretation service in English and French since 1996, mainly in the fields of arts, culture, technical, estate and legal matters.
There are different interpreting procedures and techniques. Below are the ones I use. Please click on the subject of your choice.
Confidentiality
Professional secrecy applies to any information passed on during the course of the interpreting work just as it does for translating.
Overview
Which interpretation areas are covered?
I specialize in arts, culture, education, law, administrative issues and related interpretation services in English and French.
How is the service provided?
Usually in relation to some translation work previously entrusted to me, the interpretation service is carried out adopting the appropriate technique for the purpose (some examples below).
Who for?
I provide interpretation service for private individuals, associations, festivals, arts & culture departments and companies, recording studios and sometimes on requisition.
Where?
Mainly in Quimper, Finistère and Brittany, but also across the country and abroad when suitable. When an assignment is arranged away from Quimper, travel expenses are at the charge of the client/organization requiring it.
Interpretation modes provided
Type of assignment: liaison interpretation
Description
The interpreter conveys the discourse between people who don’t speak the same language in the course of a private interview or meeting.
It is also called consecutive liaison interpreting or "both-ways consecutive", as the interpretation is carried out both ways (English à French, French à English), generally for a small group or two people having a private conversation.
Context: seminar, colloquy, festival, specialized or professional show… Also for private individuals when consulting an advisor, a lawyer, or for an appointment with a solicitor.
Examples of assignments achieved
- I help people to get in contact with a potential buyer for their product (company equipment, film, show, etc.) and interpret their speech.
- A journalist wants to interview a filmmaker for a radio program, but has some difficulties in expressing himself in English. My intervention allows the interview to be carried out without difficulty.
Type of assignment: negotiation interpretation
Description
It is not an official title, but it’s my specialty in interpreting.
I act similarly to liaison interpreting, but this time, the priority is of enhancing the negotiation between two
parties (or more).
This type of assignment requires important preparatory work. It can only be successful with a confident professional relationship. The originator must supply all the elements that will facilitate the appropriate planning. It then becomes a “trump card” (“un atout” in French) for a successful execution.
The majority of the interpreting assignments I have carried out are strictly confidential. Beside is an example that isn’t (1997).
NB: up to now, the main goal of each of my assignments has been successfully concluded.
Example of assignment achieved
Originator: cultural association organizing an international festival.
Situation:
A regional delegation of professionals has been boycotting the festival for several years.
Assignment:
Assisting the director who can’t speak the language of the delegation in convincing them to give up the boycott.
Result:
On that occasion, the festival welcomed the most important delegation in the 18-year history of the festival.
Type of assignment: escort interpretation
Description
In this situation, one must express directly the interpretation to an individual listener and interpret his/her feedback by following the interactions occurring in a particular situation.
Examples of assignments achieved
- Escort interpreter for an English-speaking director, during the course of a promotional tour in France.
- Escort interpreter for foreign delegates visiting Penwith by coach (Cornwall).
Techniques
simultaneous interpretation
Description
The purpose is to transmit the message of the speaker as he expresses it.
A technical device (soundproof booth, reception headset and microphone) allows for transmission to a group of listeners and speakers a few seconds after the phrases are spoken in the source language.
Two interpreters generally carry out this type of work, as it is very intense. It requires preparation.
Example of assignment achieved
Debate about minority cultures, attended by five delegations from Celtic countries and regions: "Is it commercially viable to be at the service of minority cultures with no grant from the state?" (GB).
consecutive interpretation
Description
The interpreter conveys the orator’s speech at regular intervals (sentence by sentence, or section by section).
There is therefore an alternation between the original spoken message and its interpretation.
It used to be called « oral translation ».
Examples of assignments achieved
- Interpretation of the presentation to the public at a festival by the filmmaker Paul Turner for his film awarded an Oscar.
- Consecutive interpretation during the course of investigations (upon legal requisition).
whispered interpretation
Description
The source message is re-expressed with a whispered voice, for one person or for only a part of the audience. It is generally a simultaneous interpretation.
It does not need any technical support.
Example of assignment achieved
Professional colloquy in French, interpreter at the service of English speaking participants (and vice-versa).
sight interpretation
NB: This service is reserved for clients who are already in receipt of my translation service.
Description
The content of a written text in the source language is transmitted orally in the target language, off the cuff.
There is no speaker, but a document that the customer (speaking the target language) needs to understand immediately. The work is not prepared. This is what I call « flash interpretation ».
Examples of assignments achieved
- Assistance to English speaking clients before a court.
- Sight interpretation for foreign adults being held in custody.
Voice
Description
I lend my voice to a clearly defined project for a company, an association, etc.
The text to be recorded is transmitted to me before drawing up an agreement. Usually, it has not been translated yet. If however a supplied translation needs proofreading, please provide the original version also.
Examples of assignments achieved
- Recording the reading of messages or texts.
- Translation of script for a film, followed with a loud voice reading during the public showing.
Interpretation Service Agreement
The delivery of an interpreting service requires a written agreement before hand, called “Interpretation Service Agreement” defining the nature, conditions, date, place and fees of the assignment.
The following General Conditions for the interpretation service offered define the terms and conditions of the interpretation service assignment.
General Conditions
Nature
The nature of the interpretation mode required is defined by the purpose of the assignment (conditions, aim).
Confidentiality
According to professional regulations, I am committed to respecting the confidentiality of any information passed on to me by my clients.
Preparation work
Good practice recommends planning the assignment in advance.
The preparation work requires the client to inform me on the purpose of the service ordered, and the achievement aimed for. All documents, information and details that will help me in preparing the service and, if needed, in setting up a strategy in accordance with the client must be provided as early as possible.
The interpreter’s preparation work required for the interpretation to be successful is included in the fee.
A project which would not match my skills, or of which conditions would not be conducive to achieving the desired result would be refused.
Upon receipt of your first request for an interpretation service, I will mail you a formal agreement (Interpretation Service Agreement) that will need to be signed by yourself if you are a private individual, or by an authorized member of your staff in other cases.
Cancellation
Any cancellation should be addressed to me as early as possible by telephone and confirmed in writing.
Any cancellation of the service ordered due to the client and occurring less than 7 (seven) days before the date of service requires the payment of 20% of the total fee for the time booked be made to the interpreter.
Any cancellation of the service ordered due to the client and occurring less than 48 (forty-eight) hours before the date of service requires that payment for the time booked to be made to the interpreter.
Fortuitous event and act of God
When an unforeseeable event occurs, which human foresight and care could not reasonably anticipate or at least could not prevent or avoid* and which makes it absolutely impossible to meet on time or to perform the assignment, it shall be cancelled and renegotiated. In such a case, any liability for intention or negligence and of strict liability will be excluded for both parts.
(*) such as an earthquake, flooding, fire or an extraordinary storm.
Fees
Interpretation fees are defined according to:
- the interpretation mode required (see above sections describing modes and techniques),
- the type of appointment (pre-programmed assignment, emergency assignment),
- the time and location for appointments.
The fee basis is defined in the Interpretation Service Agreement. The quotation, in the form of a written agreement, is therefore defined on the basis of the estimated time needed for the service to be carried out. The preparation work required is included in the fee.
Payment
For a first assignment, new clients are billed in advance.
For a second and any consecutive assignments, clients are billed on the day the service is provided.
Equipment
For the type of interpretation services I offer, there is generally no specific equipment required.
In some cases, a telephone may be required.
When an audio system is needed, the event organizer or the organization hiring the translation service provides it.
Each individual interpretation needed will dictate what is suitable. This issue should be addressed in full when planning your interpretation assignment.
Professional Interpreting
This section only provides very general information, mainly for new clients requiring interpreting service for the first time and for students enquiring and which I don’t always have the time to respond to individually.
Generalities on a professional interpreter’s duties, rights and skills
Appointment
For organisational purposes, all appointments shall be confirmed before the deadline specified in the Interpretation Service Agreement.
For emergency assignments, your confirmation should be faxed or e-mailed.
Duties
A professional interpreter is committed to:
- maintaining integrity,
- maintaining the quality of the service,
- respecting strict confidentiality.
Rights
In order to successfully achieve the assignment, the free-lance interpreter has the right to information.
The freelance interpreter has the right to refuse any private assignment
- which he/she thinks would not match his/her skills,
- which would offend his/her conscience.
Skills
On top of the linguistic skills developed and the mastering of source and target languages, a professional translator has learned and maintains the following abilities, skills and knowledge:
- Observing
- Developing listening skills
- Getting use to different types of accents
- Building memory skills
- Developing concentration skills
- Processing and prioritising of information
- Developing note taking skills
- Expanding vocabulary
- Articulating properly and speaking in a clear voice
- Using an appropriate tone of voice to convey the message
- Adopting the style of speech being interpreted to give the audience a discourse rending accurately that of the speaker, if this is relevant with the purpose (i.e. legal matters): repetitions, hesitations, dramatic pauses, stumbling, fragmented speech, etc.
- Adopting a strategy enhancing the client’s chances of being successful, if this is relevant to the purpose (i.e. negotiation interpreting)
- Preparing the intervention (for example, by consulting useful resources)
- Have some consolidated experience in the field being discussed
- Speak both languages unaffected by faults of intonation or accent likely to hinder the comprehension of the listener
- Check that he/she is perfectly understood.
Need a trump card? Get in touch now!
Concarneau, Marinarium 2010
December 2002
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