This blog post is a collection of practice activities meant both to accompany my webinar on Interpreting Idioms and Cultural References and also provide opportunities for self-study. If you haven’t attended my webinar, read this blog post which will provide you with an overview of strategies for interpreting idioms: Idioms for Medical Interpreters.
Step 1: Glossary
Download the idiom glossary and complete it with equivalents/translations in your working language(s). Since this is an editable document, you can use it indefinitely to record all the idiomatic expressions and figures of speech you encounter.
Step 2: Written Conversion Exercises
Download the Written Conversion Exercises. Once you do, translate the sentences into your working language(s). Use the glossary and appropriate strategies for interpreting idioms. When you complete the activity, compare your answers with another interpreter working in the same language(s).
Step 3: Consecutive Interpretation Practice
Use these audio recordings to practice interpreting idiomatic expressions.
There are two recordings with 10 sentences each.
Play the recording and pause after every sentence. Interpret that sentence and play the next one.
I highly recommend that as you interpret, you record yourself. You can then evaluate your interpretation using the transcript or exchange recordings with another interpreter working in your language(s) and give each other feedback.
Download the audio recording transcript here: 3. Idioms for Medical Interpreters Recording Scripts
Points to consider for (self)evaluation:
- Was your rendition accurate and complete?
- Were you able to get the meaning of the idiom across?
- Did the strategy you chose work for this particular figure of speech?
Good luck out there! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch using the Contact tab in the menu. Or comment with an idiom/idioms that you personally found difficult!
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👉 More from the Medical Interpreter Blog:
- For book recommendations for medical interpreters, click here.
- For podcast recommendations for medical interpreters, see here.
- For recommendations of TV shows for medical interpreters, click here.
- To learn about self-care for medical interpreters, click here.
- To learn about what compassion means for medical interpreters, click here.
- For a collection of practice resources for medical interpreters, click here.
- For resources related to note-taking, click here.
- For practice activities for developing your note-taking skills, click here.
- For ideas on glossary building, click here.
- For recommendations for Russian-language podcasts and books click here and here.
- For resources related to interpreting in mental health setting, click here.
- For emergency room interpreting: essential knowledge and preparedness, click here.
- To learn about interpreting in spiritual care encounters, click here.
- For a collection of resources related to virology, click here.
- For a collection of resources related to respiratory care, click here.
- For resources related to cancer care, click here.
- To learn about interpreting humor and jokes, click here.
- To learn about other interpreter blogs, podcasts etc., click here.
- To learn about pre-session for medical interpreters, click here.
🙋♀️ More about the author: About Yuliya Speroff
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