ERIC Number: ED277266
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1985
Pages: 12
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Language Performance, Context and the Personality of the Interpreter.
Henderson, John
Interpreting is an example of context-bound performance in which the interpreter has a prescribed role in infinitely varied contexts. The use of interpreting to train language students in confident and competent language use in less demanding contexts contributes to the development of both interpersonal skills and the ability to switch language codes. If the instructor constructs realistic interpreting situations for students, the students are also more likely to keep current with world events. A traditional view of interpreters is that they are generally extroverted, while translators are generally introverted in personality. However, a survey of 65 translators and 35 interpreters did not find as much difference between the two groups as expected, refuting the idea that interpreting is an activity useful for only extroverted language students. The findings also suggest that just as extroverted students can benefit from tackling the challenges of translation, introverted students can benefit from being required to concentrate hard, respond quickly and spontaneously, and communicate verbally in interpreting. (MSE)
Descriptors: Audiolingual Skills, Classroom Techniques, Code Switching (Language), College Second Language Programs, College Students, Higher Education, Interpreters, Interpretive Skills, Language Proficiency, Learning Strategies, Personality Traits, Second Language Instruction, Translation, Undergraduate Study
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A
Note: In: Doble, G., Ed. and Griffiths, B. T., Ed. Oral Skills in the Modern Languages Degree. Proceedings of a Conference at the University of Bradford (Bradford, England, January 3-6, 1984); see FL 016 311.