XCC(71)17
raised by Unofficial Members of the Urban Council as early as 1965, and in June 1966, an experiment in simultaneous interpretation was conducted by the Urban Council - but in the event, the experiment was unsuccessful. Similar experiments were later conducted with mock press conferences and simultaneous interpretation has been observed by Government representa- tives at University student seminars and among voluntary social welfare agencies. In every instance it has been shown that the standards of the interpreters employed (both inside and outside Government) were inade- quate for the discussion of important issues, particularly where it is necessary to preserve in the interpretation fine shades of meaning or emphasis. Whilst studies conducted since 1969 have culminated in pro- posals aimed at attracting better candidates to the Interpreter/Translator Grade (which are at an advanced stage of consideration in the Secretariat). it became apparent even in the earlier stages of these studies that it might be necessary to look beyond this class of officers for simultaneous interpreters. This was confirmed by Mr A. T. Pilley in his report to the Chinese Language Committee but he concluded by saying that given the right remuneration and with a correctly conducted pre-selection process (see paragraph 59 of Appendix D to the Committee's Report), he saw no reason why the right persons should not emerge.
8
On the other hand, Government has no experience in recruiting simultaneous interpreters either on a permanent and pensionable basis, on contract, or as freelances. Therefore the first logical step would appear to be the running of a sample recruitment exercise. The advertisement for such an exercise could mention broad conditions of service and minimum pay scales and invite applications for possible future employment. Should sufficient candidates express an interest, Pre-sel- ection Phase I (mentioned in paragraph 33 of Mr Pilley's Report - Appendix D to the Committee's Report) could proceed and if likely candidates emerge, Mr Pilley could be engaged in August 1971 to conduct Phase II of the Pre- selection process and a training programme of seven to ten days, at the end of which Government will know for certain whether persons capable of simultaneous interpretation are available and whether such persons are prepared to accept employment on a permanent, freelance, or "service contract" basis. Honourable Members will note that once simultaneous interpretation facilities are instituted it will be necessary to have available a "core" of 3 persons (see paragraph 6 of this paper) who must be available at the times they are required, to be supported by freelances whenever necessary, Ideally, the core of interpreters should comprise persons employed on "service contracts" which bind them for a specified number of days since staff employed on permanent terms cannot be fully employed unless they were to be given translation work but, as Mr A.T. Pilley' has pointed out, good interpreters do not necessarily make good translators. However, if permanent employment proves to be the only possibility of attracting suitable candidates, it is felt that Government should be in a position to offer such terms. If Honourable Members advise this course of action it is proposed that, following detailed investigation into the minimum pay scales and conditions of service for permanent, "service contract", and freelance employment of simultaneous interpreters, an approach be made to the Legislature for the necessary funds for the sample recruitment exercise and the costs of engaging the services of Mr Pilley.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.