Interpreting and Technology

The course will start with an introduction to the implications of recent technological developments for the different interpreting modes, including technologies that enable a change of mode (con-sim, Infoport).

We'll look at:

• different scenarios relating to the current working environment
• the possibilities provided by new devices and high-speed internet connections

Interpreting is increasingly being performed from a distance, aided by technical mediation. We'll therefore analyse remote, media, telephone, videoconference, and webcasting interpreting in this context.

We'll also examine computer-assisted interpreter training (CAIT) as a true paradigm shift that has revolutionised the way interpreters are trained today in an electronic, sometimes virtual environment.

This practical workshop will provide the option to perform short interpretations of selected multimedia clips from English into a language of your choice to test this innovative approach.

All these concepts will be illustrated with examples and clips of source and target material in several languages.

Techniques and strategies, training and quality standards, physical and professional constraints, ethical questions, interpreters' adaptation and adaptability will also be discussed.

We'll also provide an insight into the current landscape and future prospects of machine interpreting, one of the hottest topics within the field.