Ask me a question or submit a topic for discussion on this podcast season 2: The Teaching Interpreter
Introduction & Importance of Context in Language Learning
In today’s episode, we are going to talk about language for interpreters. I think that this is an important topic to cover in the teaching season. So I’m including this as a what to teach in the teaching season of the Amanda’s musings podcast.
Language for interpreters is a little bit different than language for everyone else. Actually, it’s a lot, a bit different. Oftentimes when we are thinking about language acquisition… they acquire it in a context. They acquire it through comprehension, first and then ability to express themselves using that language.
They learn it from natural occurrences of whatever is happening around them… as we progress as humans, that is how we learn language.
Role of Context in Language Use and Fluency
We learn language in a context and as things are pertinent to what we are experiencing. So when we go into schooling, we start learning schooling language, academic language, as we go into specialties, we learn… the lingo of that specialty. We learn about the concepts and context of how to use language to explore and to articulate about a particular specialty.
Language is not something that you have or don’t have. It is something that we are constantly developing, constantly refining, and it is very context and community-based.
Personal Examples: Contextual Fluency
Before I get into interpreting context, we talk about language as being fluent, right? So I’m fluent in my native language, which is English, American English, to be specific. But that does not mean that I can communicate with any other person using American English…
There are other speakers of American English who I cannot communicate with because I do not understand what they’re saying to me, even though they’re using American English…
I have I have limits. I’m not fluent in order to communicate effectively with every other American English user in every other context that exists.
Interpreting and Dual Language Contexts
Now we think about as an interpreter. Minimally. I have two languages, two working languages… My fluency in my second language is based on the context and the content and community in which I learned it.
Interpreting opens up all these settings and all these places that I may or may not be familiar with…
The language that’s required for an interpreter is beyond what is required of just a user of the language…
Academic Language vs. Professional Specialties
We focus on… how kids learn: the things that are pertinent and relevant to them. So if we think about spoken languages that are typically affiliated with a country, we think about equipping people to be able to navigate that country…
Academic courses primarily focus on conversational level skills… not necessarily on sophisticated business or specialty business.
Limitations and Ongoing Language Development
I’ll share a story that I heard at a training from a woman who was born and raised in Germany… Her response was that her German fluency ended at 18, because she didn’t do all of the other adult things in Germany to continue developing that language.
Language is unique to each individual, depending on their context, content, and communities…
Specialization and Adapting to New Environments
My specialty currently is courtroom interpreting. If I were to venture into a new arena like medical, I would not be equipped initially, because that’s not a context or content in which I am immersed…
It would require me to become fluent. I am not familiar enough in those environments. I do not know enough about that. It would take time and training.
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Macro vs. Micro Level Language Adaptation
On the macro level, I need to know: What do I do in this context? What does the language look like here? What is the function of it?…
On the micro level, I need to know: How do I establish communication with a specific individual who has a specific content and context?
Self-Awareness & Learning Strategies
One of the first things we teach is how people can be aware of what they know, what their contexts are, where their limits are… Because again, we often use this concept of: I’m fluent or I’m a native speaker, therefore I’m good. And that is not true.
We need to develop the self-awareness of individuals, to understand the limitations of their language and to look for those clues…
Language Learning is Ongoing
When we are learning a new language or vocabulary, it goes through multiple stages. You have to hear or see something multiple times before you even recognize it’s a thing, and more before you try it in your own language.
Context clues and closure skills are essential… Sometimes you won’t understand a term, and you have to use resources—dictionaries, experts, etc.—to improve your understanding.
Breadth and Depth: Reading and Beyond
Language for interpreters is different than for regular people. We have to have a breadth and depth of language available to us…
One of the best ways to do that is reading, both fiction and nonfiction, listening to diverse voices, and intentional practice.
Conclusion
Interpreters need to be continually expanding their language skills in both their working languages. It’s not just about exposure, but about incorporating new language into your active use.
I look forward to your thoughts on language for interpreters and how you intentionally expand your breadth and depth in your work.
Are you an interpreter educator looking for support, fresh ideas, and a community that gets the real challenges of your work?I’m opening the wait list for a new offering called the Connected Interpreter Educator Circle. It’s a group coaching ex. Experience where you will gain confidence, spark creativity, and connect with peers who are on the same journey. Space is going to be limited ’cause I wanna keep it small. So grab your spot on the wait list today and start transforming the way you teach and lead.ou can check it out at arsmithstudios.com, and there’s a yellow banner that will take you to the page to tell you a little bit more about it and for you to sign up. For the wait list.
Share the podcast, leave a review, and join the conversation on social media. If you have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about, head over to the episode notes where you’ll find the link to the Google form and you can let me know what is on your mind. As always, I would love to know how this podcast landed for you today, particularly around our reflective questions of what connected you to your care about the work that we do as educators and interpreters.
What sparked your curiosity and drives you to find out more? What activated your creativity and is there something that you’re gonna experiment with? Today or this week, I would always love to hear from you. You can email me at arsmithstudios@gmail.com.
If this episode resonated with you, download my free Reflective Dialogue Toolkit — a guide to talking about the work with curiosity and confidence.
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