Interpreter Certification Exam Prep
Questions and Answers
Module 2
Define working language - Answer-Languages in which an interpreter is fluent and can
use in his/her work
Define source language - Answer-Language that will be interpreted to a target language
Define target language - Answer-Language into which you interpret
List the three stages of the encounter - Answer-Pre-encounter, The encounter, Post
encounter
Identify seven steps of the encounter - Answer-Preparation, Briefing (Optional),
Professional introduction, Interpreting, Intervening, Debriefing (Optional), Analysis
Identify four interpreting protocols - Answer-Positioning (appropriate place to sit or stand
to Promote direct communication), Professional introduction (Brief and clear), Direct
speech ( speaking in first person), Turn taking (managing the flow)
What is the goal of effective positioning? - Answer-The goal is to promote direct
communication between service provider and patient.
Which guideline principle will help decide which position to take? - Answer-The principle
of role boundaries helps decide position.
Write down the four elements of an interpreter's introduction that come after the
interpreter states his or her name/organization? - Answer-1) I will be interpreting
everything that is said.
2) I will keep everything confidential.
3) Please speak to each other, not to me.
4) If I need to pause I will make this gesture.
What are some exceptions to using first person/direct speech? - Answer-1) Service user
is a child, elderly or mentally disable person.
2) Interpreting for multiple parties.
3) When the content is horrific.
4) In emergency situations when summarizing is needed.
5) Intervening as interpreter
What should you do if a provider keeps speaking in third person/indirect speech? -
Answer-1) Try to direct communication to patient .
, 2) Remind provider to speak to each other.
Why do memory skills matter for interpreters? - Answer-Memory skills allow the
interpreter to interpret longer segments accurately, thereby supporting direct
[uninterrupted] communication.
What is chunking? - Answer-Process of taking information and breaking it into parts.
Organizing information into smaller meaningful wholes.
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.
Questions and Answers
Module 2
Define working language - Answer-Languages in which an interpreter is fluent and can
use in his/her work
Define source language - Answer-Language that will be interpreted to a target language
Define target language - Answer-Language into which you interpret
List the three stages of the encounter - Answer-Pre-encounter, The encounter, Post
encounter
Identify seven steps of the encounter - Answer-Preparation, Briefing (Optional),
Professional introduction, Interpreting, Intervening, Debriefing (Optional), Analysis
Identify four interpreting protocols - Answer-Positioning (appropriate place to sit or stand
to Promote direct communication), Professional introduction (Brief and clear), Direct
speech ( speaking in first person), Turn taking (managing the flow)
What is the goal of effective positioning? - Answer-The goal is to promote direct
communication between service provider and patient.
Which guideline principle will help decide which position to take? - Answer-The principle
of role boundaries helps decide position.
Write down the four elements of an interpreter's introduction that come after the
interpreter states his or her name/organization? - Answer-1) I will be interpreting
everything that is said.
2) I will keep everything confidential.
3) Please speak to each other, not to me.
4) If I need to pause I will make this gesture.
What are some exceptions to using first person/direct speech? - Answer-1) Service user
is a child, elderly or mentally disable person.
2) Interpreting for multiple parties.
3) When the content is horrific.
4) In emergency situations when summarizing is needed.
5) Intervening as interpreter
What should you do if a provider keeps speaking in third person/indirect speech? -
Answer-1) Try to direct communication to patient .
, 2) Remind provider to speak to each other.
Why do memory skills matter for interpreters? - Answer-Memory skills allow the
interpreter to interpret longer segments accurately, thereby supporting direct
[uninterrupted] communication.
What is chunking? - Answer-Process of taking information and breaking it into parts.
Organizing information into smaller meaningful wholes.
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.
