The Linguist

22 The Linguist Vol/63 No/1 thelinguist.uberflip.com FEATURES Eyhab Bader Eddin outlines the key skills of sight translators and the complexities of interpreting from written text Sight translation (ST) refers to the oral translation of a written text; it is an interpretation technique where a person reads a written text in one language and verbally translates it in real time. This requires the interpreter to quickly comprehend and convey the meaning in the target language without the need for prior study or memorisation. ST is used in professional environments, most commonly in medical, legal, diplomatic, conference and public service settings. It is commonly used in legal proceedings when a document needs to be translated on the spot, such as when presenting evidence or reading a document to a witness. It may be used when a medical professional needs to explain a document, prescription or consent form to a patient who speaks a different language. It can also be valuable in international business meetings, conferences and negotiations where documents or statements need to be quickly conveyed to participants. In academic settings, ST is an important assessment instrument in interpreter entrance and aptitude tests, and language proficiency exams. As a part of interpreter training, it is considered effective in raising awareness of syntactic and stylistic differences between the source and target languages. 1 It is also used as an exercise for getting started in the techniques of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, helping students learn to react quickly and improve their oral skills. Differences with interpreting ST involves many of the same skills as simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, such as remembering and retaining information from the source text while conveying it in the target language, cultural competence, and clear delivery. However, there are key differences. Gile's Effort Models 2 represent the interpreting process as consisting of three operations: the Listening and Analysis (L) Effort, the Production (P) Effort and the Memory (M) Effort. The L Effort encompasses all reception and comprehension; the M Effort denotes the storing of information in the interpreter's short-term memory until the translation is complete; and the P Effort represents all operations extending from the mental representation of the message to its formulation in the target language. In ST, the L Effort is replaced by a Reading and Analysis (R) Effort. Gile argues that there is no M Effort in ST because the information is available at all times on paper. Moreover, as ST is not paced by a speaker, the interpreter can decide when to allocate more processing capacity to the R or P Effort. One of the primary challenges is the limited time available to read and translate a written text, which can be stressful, especially with lengthy documents. Formality is often expected in writing, leading to the use of complex sentence structures, adherence to grammatical rules and precise vocabulary. The structure of written texts is often more planned and organised, with paragraphs and sections that follow a logical progression. Speech tends to be informal, with shorter sentences, a relaxed approach to grammar and colloquial expressions. People may use incomplete sentences or rely on context, gestures and intonation to convey meaning. In the absence of non-verbal cues (such as facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice, known as paralinguistic features), written texts Text to speech Controlled sight translation (CST) is part of the broader set of exercises and assessments used in interpreter training. It provides a structured way to hone the specific skills required for sight translation in a controlled and supportive learning environment. In this subtype, the text is carefully selected or crafted to meet certain criteria. The complexity of the vocabulary, grammar or subject matter is limited to match the interpreter's skill level or the specific objectives of the training or assessment. It is often used as a learning and practice tool with a view to helping interpreters build their skills in a more structured environment. Spontaneous or uncontrolled sight translation involves the interpreter encountering the text for the first time while translating it. This requires immediate linguistic and cognitive processing and comprehension. According to Sylvie Lambert, we may distinguish between unrehearsed ST and rehearsed ST. 4 The former is when the interpreter has to sight translate without preparation; the latter is when some preparation time to read the text is allowed. SIGHT TRANSLATION SUBTYPES

• Cover