Role And Responsibilities Of An Interpreter

By Viki Savira Nasyarin

1. Translate without changing the meaning

The main task of an interpreter is to translate someone's speech from a foreign language or vice versa without changing its meaning. Although interpreters are tasked with making translations that are not one hundred percent exactly the same as the original using interpretation, they still have to pay attention to the meaning.

Even though you know that the audience does not understand what the speaker is saying directly, as an interpreter must convey everything that the speaker says without changing the meaning.

You should not add or subtract things that the speaker has said. Your job is just to translate and convey the message as it is.

2. Understanding the Speaker's Character

In addition to translation, an interpreter must also be good at understanding the character of the speaker. The reason is, they must also be able to adjust to the style of humor and the way of speaking.

3. Doing Event Research

An interpreter must also do some research about the event. Because, this is very related to the tradition and atmosphere of the event brought by him.

4. Understand the theme to be discussed

As someone who wants to convey a message to others, the interpreter must first understand the theme to be discussed.

In addition to the theme, the interpreter must also understand the points that will be conveyed by the speakers.

Therefore, an interpreter must have careful preparation, including requesting materials from the event organizer or speaker.

This is needed so that the interpreter does not have difficulty understanding the context conveyed by the speaker.

5. Translating what the speaker says into the audience's language

The core responsibility of an interpreter is to translate what the speaker says to the audience.

Usually, the speaker uses a language that the audience is not familiar with. However, the speaker conveys important things in the event.

Therefore, at least an interpreter must master two languages, namely the language used by the speaker and the language used by the audience.

Skills Needed To Be An Interpreter

1. Mastering Alien Languages

The main skill that must be mastered by an interpreter is the ability to master foreign languages. In this case, you are not only required to be able to understand, but also to be able to convey it back well.

2. Verbal Communication

An interpreter must have good communication skills. The reason is, the interpreter is tasked with conveying what the speaker says so that the audience can understand it coherently and clearly.

3. Listening

In addition to communication skills, an interpreter must also be able to listen carefully to what is conveyed by the speaker. This is because the speaker sometimes has an accent that is quite difficult to understand the meaning.

 4. Quick Thinking

The last skill that an interpreter must have is the ability to think fast. Because, they must be quick in processing the translation of what is conveyed and then interpreting it without losing its meaning.