For most of the history, interpretation was mainly done consecutively, with speakers and interpreters making pauses to allow each other to speak. But after the appearance of radio technology, a new simultaneous(同时的) interpretation system was developed.
In the simultaneous mode, interpreters translate a speaker’s words while he speaks without pauses. On the surface, it all looks effortless, but behind the scenes, human interpreters work continuously to ensure every idea gets across as intended, and that is no easy task.
It takes about two years of training for already fluent bilingual professionals to expend their vocabulary and master the skills necessary to become conference interpreters. To get used to the unnatural task of speaking while they listen, students shadow the speakers and repeat their every word exactly as heard in the same language. In time, they begin to paraphrase what is said, making necessary adjustments as they go.Practicing in this way creates new neural pathways in the interpreters’ brain, and the constant effort of reformulation gradually becomes second nature. Interpreters are also skilled at keeping calm in the fact of chaos. Remember, they have no control over who is going to say what, of how expressive the speaker will sound. A curveball can be thrown at any time. Also, they often perform in front of thousands of people and in very thrilling settings. To conduct a task well, they carefully prepare for an assignment, building glossaries in advance, reading eagerly about the subject matter, and reviewing previous talks on the topic. Finally, interpreters work in pairs. While one colleague is busy translating incoming speeches in real time, the other gives by locating documents, looking up words, and tracking down related information. Because simultaneous interpretation requires intense concentration, every 30 minutes, the pair switches roles. Success is heavily dependent on skillful collaboration.
Language is complex, and when abstract concepts get lost in translation, the consequences may be deadly. As Margaret Atwood famously noted, “War is what happens when language fails.” International conference interpreters of all people are aware of that and work diligently behind the scenes to make it never does.
29. What might be the best title of this passage?
A. How to Be an Effortless Speaker
B. How Interpreters Manage Two Languages
C. How to Avoid War with Successful Translation
D. How Interpreters Enlarge Their Vocabulary
30. To become a skilled simultaneous interpreter, a student has to practice .
A. looking effortless behind the scene
B. following and copying what the speaker says
C. changing the speaker’s words into other meanings
D. creating new neural pathways to keep calm
31. What does the underlined sentence mean?
A. No one knows when a ball will be thrown out.
B. Unexpected events may happen at any moment.
C. Interpreting is like throwing a ball.
D. The speaker sometimes cannot control the interpreter.
32. Why do simultaneous interpreters work in pairs?
A. Because they have to build vocabulary before their task.
B. Because each of them works 30 minutes and then takes a break.
C. Because they have to change roles to support each other.
D. Because their success depends on looking for information.