The Complete Interpreter
A podcast to help spoken language conference interpreters or public service interpreters stand out in a competitive market by improving their skills, mindset, and marketing.
The Complete Interpreter
How to be a great relay (long version)
Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.
Sign up for my workshop on salami technique, 8th May 2025 6.30 pm (UK)
Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.
This episode is about relay: what annoys you when you're taking relay, what you find helpful, and your tips for being a good relay for other interpreters.
It covers the same content as a shorter episode, but with more thoughts, stories, explanations...and echoey sound! You can find the shorter version here.
This was the first time I ran a survey so I could incorporate your thoughts and experiences into the podcast, and I really enjoyed it! Many thanks to everyone who contributed.
Your top pet peeves were:
- Relay too fast/read out
- "undigested", relay follows syntax of original, leaves words in original language etc.
- unclear pronunciation/strong accent
- too hesitant, lots of pauses
- unfinished sentences
- mumbling/poor enunciation
- convoluted syntax, chaotic
- not quick enough off the mark, or not releasing the channel fast enough at the end
The top things you found helpful when taking relay were:
- "cleaning up" the output, i.e. salami/adding structure/KISS - basically, not being a parrot
- clarity, avoiding ambiguity
- pronunciation, especially of NAMES, figures, difficult concepts
- clear enunciation
- all sentences finished, complete ideas
- 'good pace' - even
- simple language, avoiding idioms
- calm and confident
- summarising/being concise
- pausing between sentences, or using intonation to separate ideas
- good intonation
More than 3/4 of respondents said they adapt their output when they know they are being taken on relay. Here are the top suggestions:
- Chunking!! Keep sentences short, with simple grammar.
- Remove padding and stick to the main point (i.e. simplify, edit)
- Pronounce names especially clearly (slow down); figures too
- Slow down
- Avoid weird and wonderful idioms
- Stay calm even if you don't feel calm
- Start quickly - don't leave relay-takers hanging
Some of the resources I mentioned in the podcast:
- My podcast episode about clarity in simultaneous
- My podcast episode about being concise in simultaneous
- This LinkedIn post by Ilhem Bezzaoucha about catching names when interpreting
My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
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Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/
Or email me at info@theinterpretingcoach.com