The relevance of training to become a conference interpreter

Abstract

The recognition of Interpreting as a profession requiring a set of skills gave birth to the concept of Interpreter Training. The need for training emerged through different contributions deriving from psychologists, who regarded interpreting as a high-level mind performance; self-taught interpreters who wanted to impart their knowledge; pioneers of a cognitive approach who developed mental process models to help understand the interpreting skill acquisition process; and International Interpreting Organizations which established rules of conduct to ensure quality in Interpreter Practice. This dissertation aims to give an appreciation of Interpreter training by applying the framework of deliberate practice and qualitative research methods such as observations of students at their training sessions as part of the Master´s program in Interpreting Studies at the University of Malta. This study fills an existing gap since there is no research which observes the skill acquisition progress of student interpreters working with Maltese. Moreover, through online questionnaires with certified interpreters who have also followed the Master in Interpreting Studies in Malta, this study seeks to answer whether the knowledge acquired through an interpreting training program is transferrable to other areas, and hence, the relevance of training to become a conference interpreter. I have always regarded the interpreting training program as something which equipped me with a lot more than just the technical skills needed for this profession. I wanted to explore whether this appreciation was something which only belonged to my way of thinking, or whether my colleagues who have tasted the interpreting world in some way or another, also carry this mind-set past the interpreting program.