Key takeaways
- Critical settings such as medical appointments and court proceedings need interpreters with specialist subject knowledge.
- Professional interpreters are trained in voice modulation, pauses and delivery, so listeners understand without ambiguity.
- Training and experience let interpreters connect two languages on specialised subjects, including local terminology, accent and body language.
- Interpreting happens in real time; without professional practice, a bilingual person is likely to break the flow with too many pauses.
A person who is aware of two or more languages involved in a conversation is a bilingual person. Such a person is usually capable of translating as well as understanding them. However, it may surprise you to learn that the work of a professional interpreter cannot be done by such a bilingual person. Here are four reasons why a bilingual person cannot work as a professional interpreter:
1. Critical issues
In order to avoid any discrepancy, a high level of expertise might be required for certain issues that are highly critical. Take, for instance, critical subjects such as medical appointments and court proceedings. In these instances, experience of handling such issues is not only required – the person also needs professional interpretation expertise. Professional interpreters for medical and legal issues usually fall under a specialised category. In order to ensure that no wrong interpretation takes place, they acquire detailed knowledge of the subject. Without this expertise, a bilingual person would not be able to do justice to the issue, even though they would put in their best. Informal chit-chat is where such a bilingual person might succeed. For flawless results, you need professional interpreters only.
2. Voice modulation
Voice modulation is also learnt by professional interpreters. To acquire voice training and speaking skills, they usually undergo formal training. The other person understands exactly what is being said, without any ambiguity, because a professional interpreter interprets the given statement and includes the pauses, speaking methodology and voice modulation. In interpretation, there are no repeats. This is why interpreters have to speak the language in an accent that is understood by other people. A bilingual person is likely to fail to deliver on this because they would not use voice modulation, but would simply translate from one language to the other.
3. Connection of two languages
More than just literal interpretation could be required in certain communications. Interpreters sitting in a conference are going to come across highly specialised subjects. Their professional training helps them establish a connection between the two languages, even when they might not have detailed knowledge of the subjects. The basic terms used in different subjects are taught during training, and experience takes care of the rest. Professional interpreters are specialists in understanding local terminology, accent and body language.
4. Professional touch missing
A professional touch is needed in interpretation, as it happens in real time. In order to maintain the flow of information, the interpreter should translate what is being communicated without taking unnecessary pauses while the communication is taking place. The idea of interpretation is defeated when there are too many pauses. Due to a lack of professional training and practice, a bilingual person is going to encounter problems in doing this.
