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Advanced simultaneous interpreting - LAN00120M

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Eloisa Monteoliva Garcia
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will build on skills developed in the prerequisite module to increase proficiency specifically in simultaneous interpreting. Throughout the module, you will learn the key skills necessary to enter the market as a professional interpreter, along with transferable skills that will empower you to successfully navigate a range of real-world interpreting assignments. You will also become confident in the use of relevant technologies.

Related modules

Prerequisite module: Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This is an advanced module designed to develop your skills in simultaneous interpreting, so as to achieve a high level of competence when interpreting advanced-level content in simultaneous mode. Through intensive workshop-style training throughout the semester, you will develop your ability to overcome interpreting challenges (linguistic and otherwise) and apply industry- standard tools, techniques and strategies in your practice. You will also develop the crucial soft skills of discourse analysis, self-reflection, peer-to-peer feedback and giving/receiving feedback, alongside competence with cutting-edge technologies. You will have opportunities to learn appropriate techniques to adjust to the needs emerging from interpreting in person, online and in hybrid modes.

Module learning outcomes

After completing this module, you should be able to:

  • effectively prepare for an advanced simultaneous interpreting assignment,
  • implement recognised analytical and linguistic strategies,
  • critically apply knowledge and understanding of current affairs and international relations,
  • successfully interpret advanced content in simultaneous mode,
  • critically apply industry-standard tools, techniques and technologies to a high level,
  • conduct yourself professionally and ethically in accordance with relevant industry expectations.

Module content

Throughout the semester, you will develop skills to cope with advanced-level simultaneous interpreting assignments including fast-paced speeches, specialised content, dense speeches (lexical, rhetorical and other types of density), scripted speeches with and without text, speakers with different accents, and speeches featuring other types of difficulties.

Indicative list of topics and foci

  • Politics
  • Transport
  • Industry/technology
  • Communications and the media
  • Education
  • Agriculture
  • Tourism
  • Business
  • Finance
  • (International) law
  • Research
  • Glossary building
  • Interpreting practice
  • Simultaneous with text
  • Mock conferences
  • Techniques
  • Stress management

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Simultaneous interpreting of speech 1		 0.25 hours 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Simultaneous interpreting of speech 2		 0.25 hours 50

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Given the hands-on nature of this course and the focus on intensive practice in workshops and mock conferences, you will receive regular feedback and feedforward on your performance. You will also receive guidance on best practices around self and peer assessment so that you can apply them during self-study time in the interpreting lab and/or at home.

Assessment 1: You will receive written and verbal feedback from your language-specific tutor.

Assessment 2: You will receive written and verbal feedback from your language-specific tutor and the course unit convenor.

Indicative reading

Defrancq, B., & Fantinuoli, C. (2021). Automatic speech recognition in the booth: Assessment of system performance, interpreters’ performances and interactions in the context of numbers. Target, 33(1), 73-102.

Feng, X., Zhang, H. and Zhan, C. (2023). Developing Competence for the Conference Interpreting Profession. In The Rise of Conference Interpreting in China: Insiders' Accounts (p. 82). Taylor & Francis.

Gile, D. (1999). Testing the Effort Models' tightrope hypothesis in simultaneous interpreting-A contribution. HERMES-Journal of Language and Communication in Business, (23), 153-172.

Gillies, A. (2013). Conference interpreting: A student’s practice book. Routledge.

Jones, R. (2014). Conference interpreting explained. Routledge.

Moser-Mercer, B. (2000). Simultaneous interpreting: Cognitive potential and limitations. Interpreting, 5(2), 83-94.

Nolan, J. (2005). Interpretation: Techniques and exercises. Multilingual Matters.

Magalhaes, E. (2019). The Language Game. Inspiration and Insights for Interpreters.

Pöchhacker, F. (2023). Pioneering interpreting studies: The extraordinary case of Ingrid Kurz. Interpreting.

Rodriguez, S., Gretter, R., Matassoni, M., Alonso, A., Corcho, O., Rico, M., & Daniele, F. (2021 July). SmarTerp: a CAI system to support simultaneous interpreters in real-time. In Proceedings of the Translation and Interpreting Technology Online Conference (pp. 102-109).

Saeed, M. A., González, E. R., Korybski, T., Davitti, E., & Braun, S. (2022, June). Connected yet distant: An experimental study into the visual needs of the interpreter in Remote Simultaneous Interpreting. In International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 214-232). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Seeber, K. G. (Ed.). (2021). 100 Years of Conference Interpreting: A Legacy. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Setton, R., & Dawrant, A. (2016). Conference interpreting: A complete course. John Benjamins Publishing Company


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.