Coping Tactics

In spite of their preparation and skills, interpreters, even those with a solid reputation and long professional experience, do encounter difficulties in their work, which can be said to be unavoidable. So when these problems arise, interpreters are expected to use some tactics to reduce their impact. The following are the basic tactics often used: In spite of their preparation and skills, interpreters, even those with a solid reputation and long professional experience, do encounter difficulties in their work, which can be said to be unavoidable. So when these problems arise, interpreters are expected to use some tactics to reduce their impact. The following are the basic tactics often used:

1.Reconstruct the information by using their knowledge of the language, the subject matter, the context, or the situation; 1.Reconstruct the information by using their knowledge of the language, the subject matter, the context, or the situation; 2.Reformulate the message in a less accurate manner by using a superordinate or a more general segment; 2.Reformulate the message in a less accurate manner by using a superordinate or a more general segment; 3.Explain a term that they understand but now know the appropriate equivalent in the target language; 3.Explain a term that they understand but now know the appropriate equivalent in the target language;

4.Reproduce the sound as heard when encountering a name or technical term that is unknown or not recognized; 4.Reproduce the sound as heard when encountering a name or technical term that is unknown or not recognized; 5.Skip the information if it is not significant; 5.Skip the information if it is not significant; 6.Ask the speaker for clarification if the information is important; however, this tactic should not be used very often, and then with caution. 6.Ask the speaker for clarification if the information is important; however, this tactic should not be used very often, and then with caution.

7. Intentionally use long phrases. Sometimes interpreters tend to choose long-winded phrases to give themselves more time to think. 7. Intentionally use long phrases. Sometimes interpreters tend to choose long-winded phrases to give themselves more time to think. E.g. in order to; in terms of; E.g. in order to; in terms of; 8.Preserve the conjunction “ that ” 8.Preserve the conjunction “ that ”

9. Repeat redundant words 9. Repeat redundant words E.g. to explore and open up the vast market in the rural areas. E.g. to explore and open up the vast market in the rural areas. To do A and to do B To do A and to do B And China has already made our position known to Israel, to Arabic countries and to Palestine. And China has already made our position known to Israel, to Arabic countries and to Palestine. As long as … ; as long as; … as long as … As long as … ; as long as; … as long as …