Who typically performs sight translation?
The task of sight translation is often considered the most difficult that interpreters face. This is because other modes of interpreting (consecutive and simultaneous) involve oral language exclusively. The interpreter interprets oral language into oral language (using a different language). In sight translation, the interpreter may have to interpret carefully prepared written language into oral language, often without the opportunity to carefully prepare it. Since formal written language usually involves longer, more complex sentences than oral language, the task of interpreting the text can be more challenging, particularly in the areas of appropriate and natural expression and grammatical coordination. Also, the interpreter has to move to a different system of organizational cues, moving from punctuation to the use of pauses and intonation, and this involves segmenting the ideas in a way that is often quite different from the way ideas are organized in writing. Another reason why sight translation is difficult is because professional interpreters perform it less frequently than other modes of interpreting.
Professional interpreters typically recognize three modes of interpreting: consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and sight translation. Among these three modes of interpreting, some interpreters find sight translation to be the most difficult, but this is possibly because they perform the other modes of interpreting more frequently.
For example, a court interpreter will most often interpret simultaneously to the defendant while the attorneys, the judge or witnesses are speaking in the courtroom. A court interpreter will interpret consecutively, when an attorney is questioning a non-English speaking witness or the defendant on the witness stand. After the attorney asks a question, the interpreter renders it into the target language, and then listens to the answer. After the question is answered, the interpreter renders the answer into English. A sight translation is performed when a document (an “exhibit”) is entered into evidence. In that case, the interpreter sight translates the document for the defendant into the non-English language so that the defendant may understand its content. If the document is written in the foreign language, the judge may request that a sight translation be read aloud to the court, in which case the court reporter records the English version in the record of the proceeding. (See Appendix C to locate directories of court interpreters on the Web.)
Medical interpreters typically use consecutive interpretation. For example, if a doctor or nurse asks the patient a question, the interpreter subsequently translates the question and waits for the answer, which is then rendered into English. Medical interpreters also perform sight translation. For example, a medical interpreter may sight translate an informed consent form, allowing surgery or some other form of medical treatment. Such forms are usually written in very formal legal language. A medical interpreter may also sight translate the wording on a medicine bottle or a prescription, especially if it pertains to dosage, or the instructions for self-administering a medical test. Thus, medical interpreters are also accustomed to performing sight translation. (See Appendix C to locate directories of medical interpreters on the Web.)
Diplomatic interpreters, such as those employed by the US State Department, the United Nations, or other international agencies, also are asked to sight translate documents, although less frequently. Nonetheless, diplomatic interpreters should be able to perform sight translations without problem, since they are usually highly literate in both languages.
In most cases, full time translators and interpreters devote themselves exclusively to one occupation (either translation or interpretation). However, some individuals serve as both translators and interpreters. Some school districts employ full time translator/interpreters who carry out both kinds of tasks. These individuals should be suitable to conduct sight translation, if they have experience in carrying it out. Experience would come from sight translating documents for parents or children into their native language. If a school district translator/interpreter does not have experience with sight translation, he or she may still be able to sight translate an assessment but it will require careful preparation.