XN000022-1972-10-08 — Page 2

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Sunday, October 8, 1972

Mr. Cheng pointed out that the standard of interpretation may not

However, he hoped that improvement would come

be ideal in the early stages.

with more experience.

"To do a good job, not only is it necessary to have suitable interpre-

tation equipment, it is also necessary to have qualified interpreters,"

Mr. Cheng said.

"The Government has already employed a number of part-time interpreters

who have been going through some intensive training in the past few months."

According to Mr. Cheng, simultaneous interpretation may be basically

similar to other translation work, but its demand on the work of the interpreter

is different.

In ordinary translation, there is always time enough for thinking or

for consulting reference books, and a chance to touch up the translated work.

A simultaneous interpreter, however, has to be able to interpret a

apeech rapidly and accurately the moment it is being delivered. This requires

volubility and an unperturbed but fast mind.

They must, of course, also be expert in the two languages to be

interpreted and be familiar with the idioms and technical terms of the languages.

On the other hand, their efficiency may be lowered if a speech is

spoken with a heavy accent or too quickly.

Good interpreters are difficult to find and the fees paid by the

Government are set according to the standards laid down by the International

Association of Conference Interpreters (Association Internationale des Interpretes

de Conference) in Geneva.

Part-time