The role of a liaison interpreter
Translation and interpretation are two terms frequently associated with the same professional discipline. Fundamentally, the two differ from each other by the channel used to convey a message or content from one language to another: while translation is limited to written language (texts, documents, scripts, books, etc.), interpretation takes place in communicative acts carried out through oral communication (conferences, speeches, judicial or police statements, conversations, professional meetings, etc.).
In this article, we will analyse the role of the liaison interpreter, a professional who mediates in conversations between multiple people. Their perfect command of the languages spoken by the interlocutors allows them to help overcome the language barrier and enable understanding between them.
What is interpreting?
Interpretation involves transferring messages conveyed through oral language from one language to another. It is done in real-time, meaning the interpreter translates what the speaker is saying so that the receiver or receivers can understand it while a specific conversation or presentation is taking place, for example.
The greatest difficulty an interpreter faces is that they have little time to think: their knowledge of both languages must be so strong that it allows them to convert words from the source language to the target language without the receivers losing track of the speech.
Key differences between translation and interpretation
The work of the interpreter is often confused with that of the professional translator The difference is quite significant, as translation involves working with a written text: the translator, therefore, has time to adapt expressions and terms to the target language. On the other hand, the interpreter must perform their work in real-time, listening to the speaker’s words and translating them quickly.
It is worth noting that the interpreter does not provide a precise translation of the speaker’s words but rather performs a paraphrase using their own words. This technique consists of conveying a given idea in another language while preserving the original content but using different syntactic structures and words.
What is liaison interpreting?
Liaison interpreting consists of a single interpreter translating a conversation in both directions (from one language to another): this characteristic makes this type of interpreting also known as “bilateral interpreting”.
In liaison interpreting, conversation translation occurs in both directions, making it suitable for small groups where everyone participates. Consequently, liaison interpreting is not suitable for translating, for example, a speaker’s speech at a conference.
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Difference between liaison and simultaneous interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting also takes place in real-time, but it differs significantly from liaison interpreting: the simultaneous interpreter does not wait for the speaker to finish speaking but translates as they speak. On the opposite, the liaison interpreter takes advantage of the speaker’s pauses to translate the last thing that was said.
In other words, the liaison interpreter acts as an intermediary in a conversation involving more than two people who speak different languages. They translate into the target language what each participant has said in the source language, doing so during the pauses in their speech. Obviously, it is logical for the speakers to wait for the liaison interpreter to finish translating their words before continuing their speech.
How should a liaison interpreter be?
The type of work this professional must carry out requires a high level of knowledge of a specific language pair. In fact, the interpreter must speak both languages almost at a native level. Otherwise, it will be easy for them to get lost if they don’t understand what the speaker has said at any given moment.
Additionally, the liaison interpreter must have a great ability to understand and synthesize information in order to grasp what the speaker wants to convey and be able to construct coherent sentences quickly. To do this, it is assumed that this professional has very fluent oral expression.
Liaison interpreting specialization: key to success
Finally, the liaison interpreter will be able to perform their job better if they are proficient in the area of specialization relevant to the conversation. This is due to the appearance of technical or field-specific terms whose meaning could be completely different out of context.
Liaison interpreting is a demanding discipline that is increasingly needed in the international field. The experience we have at Sanscrit as a translation and interpreting agency allows us to offer a service that meets our clients’ demands.
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