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Sight Translation II

Sight translation involves orally translating written text on sight. It is as difficult as simultaneous interpretation and requires the interpreter to process thoughts in the source language and generate their equivalent in the target language while continuously processing new source language input. Reading comprehension, delivery skills like speaking clearly and with proper pacing, and paraphrasing exercises are important for developing sight translation abilities. Elements of successful sight translation include conserving register, understanding written language conventions, and using punctuation cues.

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Denis Morales
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124 views

Sight Translation II

Sight translation involves orally translating written text on sight. It is as difficult as simultaneous interpretation and requires the interpreter to process thoughts in the source language and generate their equivalent in the target language while continuously processing new source language input. Reading comprehension, delivery skills like speaking clearly and with proper pacing, and paraphrasing exercises are important for developing sight translation abilities. Elements of successful sight translation include conserving register, understanding written language conventions, and using punctuation cues.

Uploaded by

Denis Morales
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sight

Translation
Get ready!
blue
white

purple yellow

green brown
black
What is sight translation?

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 and so on. Because the message is written in black
and white, some interpreters may have more trouble focusing on meaning rather than words.
Reading comprehension is an important element of sight translation, so interpreters should
read as much and as widely as possible.
Another aspect of sight translation that should be emphasized is
delivery. It is very important that the interpreter speaks loudly and
enunciates clearly, with proper intonation and voice modulation.
Smooth pacing is also essential; sudden starts and stops and long pauses
while the interpreter figures out a difficult translation problem are
distracting to the listener. Ideally, a sight translation should sound as if
the interpreter were merely reading a document written in the target
language.
Paraphrasing is a helpful exercise that develops the mental agility you need for sight
translation. It forces you to read ahead and solve problems quickly; it also helps you focus
on meaning rather than words, thus avoiding literal translations. Paraphrasing is a good
vocabulary building exercise that you should continue to do periodically even after you
feel you are adept at sight translation. Moreover, paraphrasing is a good problem-solving
technique; if you have trouble translating a phrase in a sight translation text, try
paraphrasing it mentally in the source language first, and it may trigger a solution in the
target language. It is important to remember, however, that paraphrasing is a valuable
learning tool and mental exercise; you should never paraphrase when you are interpreting
in court, for example.
Elements of Sight Translation
Conservation: the interpreter should conserve the register of the source language
text (complex vs. simple, formal vs. informal)
Written language: Written material is more densely packed with information than
spoken language.
Punctuation: may serve the function of intonation.
Reading Comprehension: Interpreters must be adept at grasping the meaning of
written texts and understanding the material explicitly and implicitly
(interrelationships of ideas)

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.
Exercises for Sight Translation

1. Reading Aloud: Stand in front of a mirror and read passages aloud from any
book, newspaper, or magazine. Record yourself and analyze the outcome
critically. Pay attention to your voice, pitch, tone, hesitations, signs, projection,
enunciation, and posture.
2. Extensive Reading: Build up your reading speed and your vocabulary by
reading as much as possible in many different fields.
3. Deciphering Handwriting: Obtain texts written by hand (e.g., personal letters)
and practice deciphering the handwriting on the first oral reading.
4. Chunking: Choose a text and mark off the units of
meaning in it. Example: I was getting ready / to go out
to lunch / with my mother-in-law when /, all of the
sudden, / I felt sick to my stomach. / It occurred to me /
that it might be something psychosomatic,/ but later I
found out / that I was simply allergic to the perfume /
she always wore.

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