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Idiomatic translation
A translation that conveys the meaning of the original, or source text, by using equivalent language and the forms and structures of the target language, in order to produce a translation that reads like an original.
Infrared interpretation equipment
Interpretation equipment that uses infrared emissions to transmit sound. Infrared systems require an emitter, a modulator, and receivers. They are less susceptible to radio interference than FM systems, but they require a clear line of sight between the emitter and the receiver and are very susceptible to light. They are recommended for meetings where secrecy is important, as the interpretation cannot be heard outside of the emitter's well-defined radiation pattern.
International bid
The translation of an international bid is a very complex process that must be managed as a multipart translation. For a US company, it must begin with the translation into English of the RFP. Many companies have been disqualified from the bid process by cutting corners and having a bilingual employee translate the RFP, only to find out later that the person did not understand the RFP as well as he may have thought.
Just as an international bid is normally prepared by three distinct departments in a company (legal, financial, and technical), so must its translation be done by legal, financial, and technical (or medical, if applicable) translators.
Internationalization
In the context of translation, it refers to the process of adapting products or services to the international market. It can include redesigning technical specifications, packaging, labels, etc. to conform to the legal & regulatory requirements of the target countries. Sometimes the term is used to refer to the process of designing and producing products and services which are as culturally and technically neutral as possible, so that they can be easily marketed worldwide.
Interpretation
The oral translation of spoken language. Interpretation can be simultaneous (at the same time and same rate of speech as the speaker) or consecutive (the speaker speaks, then pauses while the interpreter interprets, then speaks again).
Interpretation booth
Interpretation booths are divided into fixed, which are built into some conference rooms, and mobile, which are set up and dismantled wherever needed, typically in hotels and convention centers. There can be huge differences in the quality of mobile booths. While some companies do have booths that comply with ISO 4043, often what passes for a booth is nothing more than a flimsy shield that affords almost no sound insulation.
Interpretation broker
A person who is not an interpreter, but acts as middleman between clients, freelancers, and equipment companies. Interpretation brokers normally subcontract interpretation by bits and pieces to the lowest bidder and has little or no knowledge of how all the pieces fit together.
Interpretation equipment
Equipment used in simultaneous interpretation. Simultaneous interpreting requires (1) appropriate equipment for the interpreters. This includes, at a minimum interpreters headphones, microphones, amplifiers, control consoles, and a booth (fixed or mobile) that meets ISO standards of sound insulation, dimensions, air quality, and accessibility. It may also include risers, video monitors, and other equipment, depending on the venue or application; and (2) appropriate equipment for the participants. This includes transmitters, receivers, headphones or earphones, and any other equipment required by the venue or particular application. Click here for more information.
Interpretation equipment company
A company whose primary business consists of supplying interpretation equipment for meetings and conventions. As a sideline, they usually also "source out" interpreters who may, or may not be competent, but who will surely not be able to do their best work since the equipment people know nothing of interpretation and can offer them neither guidance nor supervision.
Although some interpretation equipment companies have excellent equipment and technicians, their scant knowledge about interpreters and lack of a comprehensive approach to the interpretation service makes them a poor choice for large or important meetings.
Interpretation team
A simultaneous interpretation team is made up of two, or sometimes three interpreters, depending on the language and various other factors.
The essential qualities of an interpretation team are competence, teamwork, and mutual assistance. Since members must complement one another's skills, the selection of team members is extremely important and must be based on a thorough knowledge of each member's strengths and weaknesses, as well as of the specific demands of the subject matter and target audience of the meeting.
Interpreter
A person who translates spoken language orally, as opposed to a translator, who translates written language
Interpreter booth
Interpretation booths are divided into fixed, which are built into some conference rooms, and mobile, which are set up and dismantled wherever needed, typically in hotels and convention centers. There can be huge differences in the quality of mobile booths. While some companies do have booths that comply with ISO 4043, often what passes for a booth is nothing more than a flimsy shield that affords almost no sound insulation.
Interpreter console
Any of a number of different devices, such as the IC-1 or the Interpreter Desk used by simultaneous interpreters to control the interpreter's microphone and headphones. As a minimum, an interpreter console must include a volume control for the interpreter's headphones, a switch to turn the microphone on and off, and a mute or cough button that the interpreter can press to turn off the microphone momentarily.
Interpreter control center
The name given by Williams Sound Corporation® to the interpreter console it manufactures and sells. Also known as IC-1.
Interpreter equipment
Equipment used by the interpreters, as opposed to the equipment used by the participants. This includes, interpreters' headphones, microphones, amplifiers, control consoles, and a booth (fixed or mobile) that meets ISO standards of sound insulation, dimensions, air quality, and accessibility. It may also include risers, video monitors, and other equipment, depending on the venue or application. Click here for more information.
Interpreter neutrality
The concept that establishes that the interpreter’s job is to convey the meaning of the speaker’s discourse and under no circumstances may he or she allow personal opinion to tinge the interpretation.
Interpreting
The process of translating spoken language orally, as opposed to translating, which deals with written language.
IR interpretation equipment
Interpretation equipment that uses infrared (IR) emissions to transmit sound. Infrared systems require an emitter, a modulator, and receivers. They are less susceptible to radio interference than FM systems, but they require a clear line of sight between the emitter and the receiver and are very susceptible to light. They are recommended for meetings where secrecy is important, as the interpretation cannot be heard outside of the emitter's well-defined radiation pattern. Click here for more information.
ISO
Acronym for the International Organization for Standardization, a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies).
ISO Standards
Standards defined by the International Organization for Standardization, which are named as ISO + a number.
The work of preparing International standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75% of the member bodies casting a vote.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75% of the national bodies casting a vote.
Source: International Organization for Standardization, AIIC.
ISO Standards for Fixed Booths
These standards are set forth in ISO 2603-Fixed booths for simultaneous interpretation. ISO 2603 was first issued in 1974 and revised in 1983 and 1998, and evaluated by the technical committees of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and the Joint Service Interpretation-Conferences (JSIC) of the European Commission (EU).
Source: International Organization for Standardization, AIIC.
ISO Standards for Mobile Booths
Are set forth in ISO 4043-Mobile booths for simultaneous interpretation. This standard was prepared at the request of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and the Joint Service Interpretation-Conferences (JSIC) of the European Commission (EU). Its purpose is to define optimal conditions for simultaneous interpretation using mobile booths. It adapts ISO 2603 to booths that must be set up and dismantled in facilities not equipped with fixed booths.
Source: International Organization for Standardization, AIIC.
Language combination
(1) The languages a translator translates from and into. (2) The source language and target languages of a translation or interpretation. (3) The languages interpreters work into (active language) and from (passive language) during an interpretation.
Language competence
The ability to read, write, and speak a language at the level of a college-educated native speaker. Although language competence is a basic requirement of translation competence, it is not a criterion for judging a person’s ability to translate. Translation competence requires much more than simple language competence.
Language pair
(1) The two languages a translator or interpreter translates from and into. (2) The source language and target language of a translation or interpretation. (3) The two languages an interpreter works into (active language) and from (passive language) during a given interpretation. See also language combination.
Language school
A business set up for the purpose of teaching foreign languages. Many language schools profit from the popular misconception that being fluent in or a native speaker of a language qualifies a person to translate. Language schools usually offer the lowest quality translations.
Legal interpretation
Interpretation of speeches at continuing legal education seminars, bar association conventions, etc. Not to be confused with court interpretation.
Legal interpreter
A legal interpreter is not to be confused with a court interpreter. Legal interpreters are highly skilled interpreters with an extensive knowledge of comparative law who interpret at continuing legal education seminars, bar association conventions, etc.
Legal translation
The translation of legal documents such as contracts, legislation, etc.
Legal translator
A translator with extensive knowledge of comparative law who specializes in international contracts, licenses, franchises, legislation, and other international legal documents. It takes a highly skilled legal translator to translate legal documents from a civil law country into the language of a common law country and vice versa, since many of the legal concepts do not have exact parallels.
Literal translation
Translation that closely follows the form of the source text. Because language derives a great deal of meaning from its form, a literal translation distorts meaning and often reads as nonsense. See also word-for-word translation.
Literary translator
A translator who specializes in the translation of fiction, such as novels and poetry.
Localization
One of the most overused words of the last few years. In the context of translation, it usually refers to the process of adapting software to the specific language, technical standards, laws, and requirements of the target market, as for example, translating screen texts, help files, etc.
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