Course Structure

The Religious Simultaneous Interpreting Course focuses on interpreting for formation in the simultaneous mode (in the booths). Consecutive interpreting is not covered in this program. The curriculum therefore focuses primarily on strategies and techniques of simultaneous interpreting but it also addresses recruitment and selection of interpreters, preparation of combined teams and dimensions of intercultural brokerage. The structure of the course is as follows:

70%

Strategies of simultaneous interpreting (lecture and practice)

10%

domain-specific terminology (building and management)

10%

cultural context

10%

memory training

During the lecture part of the course, the instructor will present key concepts in faith-related interpreting, analyze interpreter performance dimensions and teach strategies and techniques of simultaneous interpreting.

The practice part of the workshop, in language-specific groups in the booths, will focus on applying interpreting strategies while interpreting into target languages. This part will include live feedback from the instructors and guided discussions evaluating each student’s performance.

Highly specialized terminology (liturgical, biblical, theological, canonical, Order-specific word choice and proper discourses) creates unique challenges in faith-related contexts. Terminology preparation will be addressed as well as other faith-related topics such as: what is the level of preparedness needed to work as an interpreter in Catholic settings; or does one need to be a member of a particular Order to do a credible interpreting job.

Regional variations of global languages as well as culture-specific or national religious traditions and rites will be discussed. In particular, issues related to the changing linguistic profile of many religious Orders of women and men and Communities, such as increasing presence of Asian languages (Bahasa Indonesian, Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese) will be addressed.