INTERPRETER CERTIFICATION EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
List some message transfer skills for interpreters - Answer-Anticipating, Multitasking,
Message Analysis, Parroting, Paraphrasing
Name the 3 modes of interpreting - Answer-1) Consecutive interpreting (the most
common in community interpreting)
2) Simultaneous interpreting
3) Sight translating
List the steps for sight translation - Answer-(Before)
1) Make sure the provider remains present
2) Assess the text for appropriateness through the CALL criteria
(During)
1) Read the entire text
2) Identify challenges, such as unfamiliar terms, complex language, high register
3) Ask for clarification or consult dictionaries when needed
4) Render text from beginning to end
5) Do not stop-and-start, start over, simplify or change any parts of the text
(After)
1) Self-assess the accuracy of your translation
2) Decide if you should continue to sight translate such texts
Which documents are acceptable to sight translate? - Answer-Documents that do not
meet ANY of the CALL criteria
What does CALL stand for? - Answer-1) Complex - high register, long sentences,
complicated syntax
2) Advanced - highly specialized or technical jargon
3) Legal - Anything that must be signed or is part of a legal process
4) Long - Exceeds 2 pages
If you decide not to sight translate a document, what should you do instead? - Answer-
1) Refer the provider to language services to translation by experts.
2) Ask the provider for an explanation of the text and interpret that explanation.
What is wrong with summarizing? Any exceptions? - Answer-1) Summarizing gives the
interpreter the power to edit communication rather than granting communicative
autonomy to the speakers.
2) Exceptions include emergencies, crises, people with mental health issues, the
elderly, small children, substance abuser, audio/video recordings that you can't pause,
, situations when speakers speak too quickly, or they can't or won't pause, or instances
when switching to simultaneous interpreting doesn't work.
How is note-taking for interpreters different from other kinds of note taking? - Answer-
Interpreter note-taking must be quick and efficient, so symbols are used to save time.
The goal is the capture meaning rather than exact words. Interpreter notes are vertically
oriented.
Describe the Rozan note-taking method - Answer-1) Noting the idea, rather than the
words
2) The rules of abbreviations
3) Links
4) Negations
5) Emphasis
6) Verticality
7) Shift (using the space on the page to represent meaning)
MODULE 1: - Answer-
What is community interpreting - Answer-Bidirectional interpreting in the communicative
setting for access to community services for individuals who do not speak the language
of service.
Define medical interpreting - Answer-Interpreting for patients, families and health care
providers that facilitate access to healthcare services.
Are medical interpreters community interpreter? - Answer-YES! Along with education
interpreters and social service interpreters, medical interpreters fall under the umbrella
of community interpreters.
What is the purpose of interpreting? - Answer-The purpose of interpreting is to facilitate
communication and access to services provided in a language other than that of the
user. Interpreting fosters communicative autonomy.
Describe communicative autonomy - Answer-The capacity of each party in an
encounter to be responsible for and in control of his/ her own communication
Which area of community interpreting has become the most professionalized? -
Answer-Medical
List the minimum requirements for a community or medical interpreter to practice as an
interpreter - Answer-18 years old or older, hold a high school diploma, demonstrate
bilingualism and literacy (preferably by taking a language proficiency test), have a
certificate for professional training in medical/ community interpreting of at least 40
hours.
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
List some message transfer skills for interpreters - Answer-Anticipating, Multitasking,
Message Analysis, Parroting, Paraphrasing
Name the 3 modes of interpreting - Answer-1) Consecutive interpreting (the most
common in community interpreting)
2) Simultaneous interpreting
3) Sight translating
List the steps for sight translation - Answer-(Before)
1) Make sure the provider remains present
2) Assess the text for appropriateness through the CALL criteria
(During)
1) Read the entire text
2) Identify challenges, such as unfamiliar terms, complex language, high register
3) Ask for clarification or consult dictionaries when needed
4) Render text from beginning to end
5) Do not stop-and-start, start over, simplify or change any parts of the text
(After)
1) Self-assess the accuracy of your translation
2) Decide if you should continue to sight translate such texts
Which documents are acceptable to sight translate? - Answer-Documents that do not
meet ANY of the CALL criteria
What does CALL stand for? - Answer-1) Complex - high register, long sentences,
complicated syntax
2) Advanced - highly specialized or technical jargon
3) Legal - Anything that must be signed or is part of a legal process
4) Long - Exceeds 2 pages
If you decide not to sight translate a document, what should you do instead? - Answer-
1) Refer the provider to language services to translation by experts.
2) Ask the provider for an explanation of the text and interpret that explanation.
What is wrong with summarizing? Any exceptions? - Answer-1) Summarizing gives the
interpreter the power to edit communication rather than granting communicative
autonomy to the speakers.
2) Exceptions include emergencies, crises, people with mental health issues, the
elderly, small children, substance abuser, audio/video recordings that you can't pause,
, situations when speakers speak too quickly, or they can't or won't pause, or instances
when switching to simultaneous interpreting doesn't work.
How is note-taking for interpreters different from other kinds of note taking? - Answer-
Interpreter note-taking must be quick and efficient, so symbols are used to save time.
The goal is the capture meaning rather than exact words. Interpreter notes are vertically
oriented.
Describe the Rozan note-taking method - Answer-1) Noting the idea, rather than the
words
2) The rules of abbreviations
3) Links
4) Negations
5) Emphasis
6) Verticality
7) Shift (using the space on the page to represent meaning)
MODULE 1: - Answer-
What is community interpreting - Answer-Bidirectional interpreting in the communicative
setting for access to community services for individuals who do not speak the language
of service.
Define medical interpreting - Answer-Interpreting for patients, families and health care
providers that facilitate access to healthcare services.
Are medical interpreters community interpreter? - Answer-YES! Along with education
interpreters and social service interpreters, medical interpreters fall under the umbrella
of community interpreters.
What is the purpose of interpreting? - Answer-The purpose of interpreting is to facilitate
communication and access to services provided in a language other than that of the
user. Interpreting fosters communicative autonomy.
Describe communicative autonomy - Answer-The capacity of each party in an
encounter to be responsible for and in control of his/ her own communication
Which area of community interpreting has become the most professionalized? -
Answer-Medical
List the minimum requirements for a community or medical interpreter to practice as an
interpreter - Answer-18 years old or older, hold a high school diploma, demonstrate
bilingualism and literacy (preferably by taking a language proficiency test), have a
certificate for professional training in medical/ community interpreting of at least 40
hours.
