The selection and assessment of interpreters in DG SCIC Claude Durand, Head of the Training Unit 4th March 2005 European Commission Directorate General for Interpretation

Page 2March 2005 I. The ideal profile of a candidate for selection II. The characteristics of the ideal speech III. The assessment method A three-stage process:

Page 3March 2005 I.The ideal profile of a candidate for selection

Page 4March 2005 I.The ideal profile of a candidate for selection A. Knowledge B. Professional qualifications C. Skills

Page 5March 2005 A. Knowledge Perfect command of the mother tongue Very good immediate oral comprehension of his/her passive languages Good all-round general knowledge and culture Knowledge of European and international current affairs I.The ideal profile of a candidate for selection

Page 6March 2005 B. Professional qualifications 1. Good command of the technique of consecutive interpretation 2. Good command of the technique of simultaneous interpretation I.The ideal profile of a candidate for selection

Page 7March 2005 B. Professional qualifications 1. Good command of the technique of consecutive interpretation: – a clear, precise and coherent message – faithful to the original as regards both the substance and the tone – rendered briskly and fluently – expressed clearly and elegantly – demonstrating good communication with the listeners I.The ideal profile of a candidate for selection

Page 8March 2005 B. Professional qualifications 2. Good command of the technique of simultaneous interpretation: – a clear, precise and coherent message – faithful to the original as regards both the substance and the tone – a calm and even flow – the ability to avoid translating literally – using the target language correctly and spontaneously – demonstrating good communication with the listeners I.The ideal profile of a candidate for selection

Page 9March 2005 C. Skills Good powers of concentration and memory Ability to analyse and synthesise Quick mental reflexes A gift for communication Natural curiosity; a critical mind Able to remain cool, particularly under stress I.The ideal profile of a candidate for selection

Page 10March 2005 II. The essential characteristics of the ideal speech

Page 11March 2005 II. The essential characteristics of the ideal speech a. An authentic speech delivered by someone speaking his/her mother tongue b. A coherent, explicit and self-contained speech

Page 12March 2005 c. Dealing with a contemporary issue d. An issue likely to be discussed at European or international level II. The essential characteristics of the ideal speech

Page 13March 2005 e. A speech containing a reasoned argument rather than purely descriptive (especially for the consecutive interpretation tests) II. The essential characteristics of the ideal speech

Page 14March 2005 III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method

Page 15March 2005 A. Preliminary considerations The severity of the assessment will vary according to the degree of difficulty of the test That difficulty may be related to: – the choice of subject (too specialised?) – the speed at which the speech is delivered – the density of information in the speech – the style of the speech; written rather than oral – the specialised nature of the vocabulary – a lack of clarity in the reasoning, etc. III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method

Page 16March 2005 III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method B. The assessment process 3 successive phases: 1. Checking whether the interpretation makes sense and is plausible 2. Assessing the content 3. Assessing the form

Page 17March 2005 B. The assessment process 1. Checking whether the interpretation makes sense and is plausible: – Opinion of the genuine customer – If this opinion is negative the assessment need go no further; the candidate has failed III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method

Page 18March 2005 B. The assessment process 2. Assessing the content: – Was the message faithful to the original message? – Were any ideas misunderstood or misrepresented or were there only occasional errors or omissions? – If important ideas were completely misunderstood there is no point continuing III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method

Page 19March 2005 III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method B. Assessing the form 3. Assessing the form: – Was the candidate’s use of language correct and varied? – What about his/her presentation and communication skills?

Page 20March 2005 Base the assessment on: The criteria defined in the profile The identification of specific examples (not general impressions) An evaluation of the relative importance of mistakes or omissions (not a chronological listing thereof) III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method

Page 21March 2005 The assessment of each performance should be made by the members of the test panel Speakers should be asked for their opinion only afterwards, as appropriate III. Interpretation tests: Assessment method

Thank you for your attention and for your subsequent assessment

The selection of interpreters and assessment in DG SCIC Claude Durand, Head of the Training Unit 4th March 2005 European Commission Directorate General for Interpretation