Language into Language

Saúl Sibirsky practices translation and interpretation in Connecticut and has taught at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Pittsburgh, and Cornell College, Iowa. Martin C. Taylor has taught Spanish and Latin American literature at the University of Michigan, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of Nebraska. The former dean of the Panama Center of Nova Southeastern University, he is the author of several books and articles on Latin American Literature.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      A Note from the Authors      xiiiPreface      PART I: LEGAL, PROFESSIONAL, ETHICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ECONOMIC ISSUES1. IntroductionA. A Brief Overview      B. The Authors’ Aspirations      2. Historical Perspectives from the New WorldA. Communication and the Military      B. The Americas: Language Follows the Flag      3. Language and the Legal SystemsA. Federal Court Interpreters Act      B. Justice for the Limited-in-English Proficiency (LEP)      C. English-Only Statutes, Challenges, and the LEP      D. The “LEP” Controversy      4. Need for Adequate Interpretation and TranslationA. Are Interpreters Interlopers?      B. Language Mistakes      C. Ad Hoc or Stand-In Interpreters      D. Interpreters Bridge the Gaps      E. Consequences of a Lack of Interpreters      5. Professional StandardsA. Ethical Conduct      B. Expectations of Professionals      C. NAJIT’s and SDNY’s Codes      D. The Interpreter’s Role in Unfair Situations      E. Ethics, Meta-Ethics, and Postville      F. The Judicial System and Science      6. Professional QualificationsA. Interpreting Day by Day      B. Journal of an Itinerant Interpreter      C. Neutrality and Decorum vis-à-vis Misfortunes      D. Physical and Emotional Conditioning      E. Professional Qualifications Defined      F. Minimal and Desirable Characteristics      G. Defending Professional Standards      7. Training, Testing, and CertificationA. Colleges/Universities: U.S., Canada, and Other Areas      B. California      C. Arizona and South Carolina      D. Medical Interpreting in English-Only States      E. Florida      F. Sign Language: D.C. and Arkansas      G. Tests and Testing      H. Certification      I. Self-Directed Competency      J. Additional Research Resources      K. A Debate: Ortega and the Necessity and Sufficiency of Training      8. Economics, Jobs, SalariesA. Skills vs. Economic Worth      B. Government Agencies      C. Federal and State Courts      D. Private Sector Opportunities      E. Journals with Jobs      F. Networking at Conferences at Home and Abroad      G. Private Employment Agencies      H. Salary Surveys and ATA’s Role      PART II: INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION IN CULTURAL, LEGAL, AND LINGUISTIC CONTEXTS9. Comparing Interpretation and TranslationA. Formal Definitions      B. Operational Definitions      C. Philosophical Definitions      D. Guide to Classified Definitions      E. Desirable Characteristics in Interpreters      F. Traits of Successful Translators      G. Machine Translators vs. Human Translators      H. Translators and Interpreters in/of Literary Texts      10. Decoding and Encoding Multidimensional LanguageA. Interpretation as Communication      B. Triangular and Multidimensional Interpretation      C. The Speech-Chain Bridge and Diagram      D. Memory in Storing and Decoding “Units of Meaning”      11. Modes of Interpretation and TranslationA. Overview of the Modes      B. The Summary Interpretation Mode (SummI)      C. Consecutive Interpreting (CI)      D. Simultaneous Interpreting (SI)      E. Whispered SI, or Chuchotage, in Diplomacy      F. Interpreters as Scapegoats      G. Conference Interpreting (ConfI)      H. Sight Translation (ST)      I. Guidelines for Improving Performance      12. Verbal and Nonverbal Equivalencies in the CourtroomA. Searching for Verbal Equivalency      B. Strategies for Finding Equivalencies      C. Equivalencies via Grammar or Linguistics      D. Nonverbal Equivalencies or Gestures      13. Settings and Procedures in Legal and Social VenuesA. Existential Aspects of Interpretation      B. Factors that Affect the Settings      C. Classification of the Settings      14. Playacting and Power Relationships in the CourtroomA. Interpreters as Actors      B. Roles of the Other Players      C. Varieties of Power      D. Power Misplaced      E. The Power of Excellence and Modesty      15. Implications of BilingualismA. Defining Bilinguals and Bilingualism      B. Bilingual Interpreters and Translators      C. Code-Switching Patterns of Bilinguals      D. LEPs and Other Second-Language Learners      E. The Brain and Second-Language Learning      F. The Bilingual Education Act      G. Political, Cultural, and Security Aspects      16. Cultures and Languages in PlayA. Cultural Possibilities      B. Culture and Interpretation      C. Words Transmit and Distort Culture      D. Alternative Cultural Perspectives      Chapter Notes      Author and Works Cited      Suggested Readings      Index

“exceptionally well written...strongly recommended”—Midwest Book Review; “solid...excellent compendium...a one-stop reference...highly recommended”—Proteus.