Conference Interpreting – A Complete Course: (120 Benjamins Translation Library)

The conference interpreting skillset – full consecutive and simultaneous interpreting – has long been in demand well beyond the multilateral intergovernmental organizations, notably in bilateral diplomacy, business, international tribunals and the media. This comprehensive coursebook sets out an updated step-by-step programme of training, designed to meet the increasingly challenging conditions of the 21st century, and adaptable by instructors with the appropriate specializations to cover all these different applications in contemporary practice. After an overview of the diverse world of interpreting and the prerequisites for this demanding course of training, successive chapters take students and teachers through initiation and the progressive acquisition of the techniques, knowledge and professionalism that make up this full skillset. For each stage in the training, detailed, carefully sequenced exercises and guidance on the cognitive challenges are provided, in a spirit of transparency between students and teachers on their respective roles in the learning process. For instructors, course designers and administrators, more detailed and extensive tips on pedagogy, curriculum design and management will be found in the companion Trainer’s Guide.

Table of Contents:
1. Abbreviations; 2. General introduction; 4. 1. Introduction to the Complete Course; 5. 2. The interpreter's job; 6. 3. Prerequisites and admission; 7. 4. Initiation to interpreting; 8. 5. Consecutive interpreting; 9. 6. Sight Translation; 10. 7. Language and knowledge enhancement; 11. 8. Simultaneous interpreting (SI); 12. 9. Reality and advanced tasks; 13. 10. Professionalism and ethics; 14. 11. Introduction to professional practice; 15. Appendix A. The professional examination: tips for candidates; 16. References; 17. Name index; 18. CC-TG subject index

Review :
These books undoubtedly need to be in the library of any professional conference interpreter and are a must read for interpretation students. [...] The books cover in their scope all major aspects of teaching conference interpretation: until now there was no such attempt so the books are indeed unique. Each topic is sufficiently detailed and the books objectively describe established practices as well as controversies [...]. Currently teaching conference interpretation – in my opinion – depends heavily on standards and rules of a particular educational institution or a particular instructor. The Trainer’s Guide is a unique attempt if not to standardize then to summarize logically and clearly methods and techniques of teaching. It is not possible to go into all details in an Amazon review but the book will be an invaluable training aid for any serious interpreter trainer worldwide. The Complete Course is somewhat smaller in size (470 pages) but is no less comprehensive. Geared more towards students than trainers, it covers duties and responsibilities of an interpreter, prerequisites and exercises, initiation to interpreting. It is a highly practical volume that will be useful in class and outside of it. [...] Both books are truly unique and complete – a real treat for trainers and students and interpreters. Setton and Dawrant’s Complete Course is the best-argued and most thoroughly explained training manual I have read to date, addressing most if not all aspects (closely or loosely) related to conference interpreter training. The authors chose a well-known and firmly established paradigm in which to embed their training manual and manage to cover all relevant aspects of conference interpreter training within that framework. A fresh copy of Conference Interpreting – A Complete Course (and accompanying Trainer's Guide), autographed by Robin Setton and Andrew Dawrant came in the mail a few weeks back. I have since been immersed in it and I'm delighted at the solid content and the authors' conversational style. I am particularly struck at how much we seem to agree on aspects such as neutrality, loyalty and the changing role of interpreters. I find myself nodding along as I read. This is a book I wish I had written. Only Robin and Andrew did it way more competently than I would ever have managed to do. This is a must-have item on every interpreters' library. It is a good read and a reference book you'll want to keep handy for many years to come. [...] My hat off to Robin and Andrew on their excellent work. This book probably lives up to its title of being a 'complete' course book. The wealth of information and the thoroughness with which so many interpreting-related topics and techniques are treated is extraordinary. I highly recommend this book to students and trainers alike. It will be THE reference work for many years to come. Brace yourselves: the most up-to-date, comprehensive, authoritative and--if we may be permitted an unusual word in a book review--magnificent textbook for conference interpreting has just been published. With it comes an equally comprehensive trainer's guide. This is a double gift to universities, colleges, students, trainers and language services around the world, among others. It is such an achievement that I will be reviewing these two books in more depth in January--something never done in the seven-year history of this newsletter. Kudos to Benjamins. And one word to the authors: BRAVO. The language is impeccable, with frequent metaphors that will make the reader smile and a style that even non-native speakers will find very readable. In addition, layout is attractive: overviews or brief explanations of selected points are set off from the body of the text in a reader-friendly box format, with sensible highlighting of ideas for further reading (full details of which can be found in the bibliography at the end of each volume). [...] For students, the CC volume is definitely attractive and informative [...]. Students will be better able to reflect upon what they do and why their trainers choose specific exercises for them. For trainers, it is advisable to have both volumes – not on their bookshelves, but on their office desks. Whenever they are in doubt about how to organize their courses and what material to use, a look into either volume will provide them with more suggestions than they will ever be in a position to put into practice.