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Sight Translation

Mayo Clinic Workshop VI Presented by Nicki Ugalde

November, 2003

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Goals of Workshop VI

Sight translation– What, when, where, why and how– Practical applications

Pre-session introductions– CIFE– Practical applications

Post-workshop evaluation

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Sight TranslationDefinition: oral translation of a written text

Sight translation is just as difficult as simultaneous interpretation and involves some of the same mental processes. The input is visual (written word) rather than oral (spoken word), but the interpreter still has to process a thought in the source language and generate the target language version of that thought while simultaneously processing the next source language thought, etc. Because the message is written in black and white, some interpreters may have more trouble focusing on meaning rather than words.

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Elements of Sight Translation

1. Conservation: the interpreter should conserve the register of the source language text (complex vs. simple, formal vs. informal)

2. Written language:– Written material is more densely packed

with information than spoken language.– Punctuation may serve the function of

intonation.

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Elements3. Reading Comprehension: Interpreters must

be adept at grasping the meaning of written texts and understanding the material explicitly and implicitly (interrelationships of ideas)

4. Prediction: Interpreters should be able to predict the outcome of an incomplete message and also be versed in the various writing styles—legal documents, personal and business correspondence, technical reports so they can be alert to common constructions that may pose translation problems.

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Skills required for sight translation

Complete command of working languages at all levels of usage

Good public speaking: voice projection, clear enunciation, good posture and smooth pacing

Mental agility and flexibility in order to work on two channels at once (simultaneously processing the source language while speaking in the target language)

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Settings for Sight TranslationList the types of forms and documents

that may need to be sight translated in the following settings…….

Hospitals/Clinics: medical reports, waivers, consent forms

Court documents: waivers, probation and police reports, docs. of a case file, affidavits

Public/private schools: recordsAdoption agencies: birth/death/marriage

certificatedWorkforce: forms, reports

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Process of Sight Translation1. 1. Scan the document to determine the

subject matter, context, style, and country of origin.

2. Make a mental note of common pitfalls unique to the source language.

3. Skim the passages quickly and identify key features, commas, parentheses, etc.

4. Translate sentence by sentence, focusing on one unit of meaning at a time.

5. Maintain a steady pace, translating as smoothly as possible.

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Strategies for Interpreting a Sight Translation

READING COMPREHENSION: is an important element of sight translation. Interpreters should read as much and as widely as possible.

PACING: The interpreter must translate the document quickly without omitting anything. Going too fast results in translation error or in sudden stops and long pauses while the interpreter figures out a difficult translation problem. That sort of jerkiness can be distracting to the listener. But going too slowly is disruptive for providers and patients alike. The interpreter should be familiar with the terminology and phrasing of medical/court documents so that the translation sounds as if the interpreter were merely reading a document written in the target language.

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StrategiesTranslate as smoothly as possible.Look up and keep a glossary of any difficult terms.Practice out loud always, with or without an

audience.Record yourself on audio (or videotape) so that you

know how you sound (and look) to your audience.Practice with a variety of type faces and formats:

patient information forms, consent forms, letters, consumer education documents, court transcripts, etc.

Other strategies?

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DocumentationInterpreters need to look carefully at

documents they are asked to sign. Interpreters may be asked to sign on a consent form that the patient understands the procedure. Discuss why this is not appropriate and the possible ramifications. In some cases the hospital may need documentation (a signature) that the consent form was interpreted for the patient. How could this be accomplished appropriately?

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Sight Translation practicePair up with a colleague who does not

speak your other language.1) Sight translate for your colleague

from English to your other language for 1- 2 minutes a portion of unfamiliar reading material. Reader and observer comment on difficulties noted (hesitation vs. consistent flow, voice modulation, etc.)

2) Do the same with familiar material or study a portion of unfamiliar reading material before interpreting.

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C. I. F. E.

Navigating the interpreter’s many roles is even more challenging when ground rules have not been established through an effective pre-session with both the provider and patient. The Cross Cultural Communication Systems, Inc., created the acronym CIFE as a pre-session checklist for interpreters.

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Progress

To be used prior to sessionC onfidentialityI use the first personF lowE verything said will be interpreted

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Confidentiality

The interpreter explains to both the provider and the patient that all information shared will stay among all parties. A session starts with the first contact between the interpreter and patient. This may even happen in the waiting room of a clinic or hospital.

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I use the first person

The interpreter uses the first person at all times, except when referring to him/herself. – “The interpreter needs to ask for

clarification on . . . .”– It may be necessary to remind either

party to address each other.

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Flow (interpreter manages the flow of the session)

Accuracy is directly affected by the flow of a session. The pre-session may be used to negotiate the use of a hand signal to indicate when either party needs to slow down.

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Everything you say will be interpreted

Everything shared in the waiting room, in the session and after the session will be interpreted. Interpreters are not allowed to keep secrets.

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Video: how to work with the interpreter (from the health care provider’s perspective)

– Vignette #1: Identify observed errorswith the introduction, the interview process and the conclusion

– Vignette #2: Identify appropriate interpreting techniques used: pre-interview, introduction, interview process, conclusion, post interview

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Activity: groups of 3-4

Based on the principles of CIFE, write a brief pre-session statement that can be used appropriately in any medical setting.

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Additional Application Activity: Role, ethics and protocol

– You will be assigned a role, ethical or protocol situation by number (#2 thru #8)

– State at least 2 options to deal with the situation. Then explain how you would respond and why? Also please answer question number 9.

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A Note of Appreciation

Please accept my gratitude for the opportunity to learn from each other as we shared our experiences as interpreters. It has been a pleasure to present this series of workshops on memory techniques, ethical issues and sight translation. I am honored to have met such a group of dedicated professional interpreters. Thank you.