The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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Vol/54 No/1 2015 FEBRUARY/MARCH The Linguist 13 AWARD WINNERS I first came to Exeter from Krakow in 1999 as an Erasmus student, and returned in 2001 after doing a Masters in Poland. I gained a Diploma in Conference Interpreting in 2010, but my adventure with interpreting didn't really start until 2012, when I registered with Capita TI. Since then I have been working as a freelance interpreter and translator while maintaining a part-time job at South Western Ambulance. I knew I needed a formal language qualification but could never quite find the time. Then, in December 2013, I found out I was pregnant and decided to do an exam as soon as possible, because I wouldn't have time once the baby arrived. I applied for the new Diploma in Police Interpreting (DPI), ordered some past test papers for the Met Test, which the DPI replaces, and surrounded myself with books and papers. It took about four months to revise. I found the preparation very stressful, as I had to fit it around my work and children. My main revision was based on doing past papers while the children played in the park (my only 'free' time). I did at least a few components every day, using my phone as a timer. At the beginning it was difficult, but with practice I was able to stick to the time limits required. I then started revising vocabulary. I downloaded materials from the Crown Prosecution Service and court websites. I also had a lot of resources from my conference interpreting studies. However, the most useful words and phrases were ones I knew from the trials I had interpreted at. My exam began at 9am in London on 27 May. Heavily pregnant, I decided to travel from Exeter a few days earlier to avoid the rush and stress of travel on the day. Despite arriving at the Barbican ahead of time, I was very nervous. The written part went quickly and I had a few hours before the oral part, so I went to a nearby café to do some last-minute vocabulary revision. Due to the stress, I don't remember much about the test. I knew that I had to be quick, and that I shouldn't pause to think of a better way of saying something. As I left the room, I thought I had failed, so it was a surprise when I found out I had received three distinctions and two merits. My advice for future candidates is to practise a little bit every day. Don't worry if your timing is off at the beginning. And practise aloud with a timer in your hand; it will prove very helpful during the exam. Anna Lesniewska was awarded the new NRPSI Award for best DPI candidate 2014. of the Force IoLET Examinations Manager, Danielle Burke, offers her advice to candidates. • Ensure your note-taking skills are of the highest standard and that you take enough notes in the statement-taking exercise to write up the statement. • Render the charge correctly. Accuracy is critical – learn the variations carefully. • The police caution is formulaic with standard wording that does not change – learn it in the other language. • Familiarise yourself with police terminology. • Pay attention to the details of the text – make sure you render accurately physical descriptions (hair style, eye colour, height, clothing etc), locations, times, dates and sequence of events. • Think about the practical function of the exam. Could the police find someone based on your rendering of how they look or where they live? TIPS FROM THE TOP Anna Lesniewska, 2014 best DPI candidate, reveals her study methods JUST REWARDS Anna (right) accepts the NRPSI Award from CIOL Royal Patron Prince Michael of Kent, with Examinations Manager Danielle Burke (centre) © CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU