Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Sign up for my workshop on salami technique, 8th May 2025 6.30 pm (UK)

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is about relay: what annoys you when you're taking relay, what you find helpful, and your tips for being a good relay for other interpreters.

It covers the same content as a shorter episode, but with more thoughts, stories, explanations...and echoey sound! You can find the shorter version here.

This was the first time I ran a survey so I could incorporate your thoughts and experiences into the podcast, and I really enjoyed it! Many thanks to everyone who contributed.

Your top pet peeves were:

1. Relay too fast/read out
2. "undigested", relay follows syntax of original, leaves words in original language etc.
3. unclear pronunciation/strong accent
4. too hesitant, lots of pauses
5. unfinished sentences
6. mumbling/poor enunciation
7. convoluted syntax, chaotic
8. not quick enough off the mark, or not releasing the channel fast enough at the end

The top things you found helpful when taking relay were:

1. "cleaning up" the output, i.e. salami/adding structure/KISS - basically, not being a parrot
2. clarity, avoiding ambiguity
3. pronunciation, especially of NAMES, figures, difficult concepts
4. clear enunciation
5. all sentences finished, complete ideas
6. 'good pace' - even
7. simple language, avoiding idioms
8. calm and confident
9. summarising/being concise
10. pausing between sentences, or using intonation to separate ideas
11. good intonation

More than 3/4 of respondents said they adapt their output when they know they are being taken on relay. Here are the top suggestions:

• Chunking!! Keep sentences short, with simple grammar.
• Remove padding and stick to the main point (i.e. simplify, edit)
• Pronounce names especially clearly (slow down); figures too
• Slow down
• Avoid weird and wonderful idioms
• Stay calm even if you don't feel calm
• Start quickly - don't leave relay-takers hanging

Some of the resources I mentioned in the podcast:

• My podcast episode about clarity in simultaneous
• My podcast episode about being concise in simultaneous
• This LinkedIn post by Ilhem Bezzaoucha about catching names when interpreting

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at info@theinterpretingcoach.com

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Sign up for my workshop on salami technique, 8th May 2025 6.30 pm (UK)

This episode is about relay: what annoys you when you're taking relay, what you find helpful, and your tips for being a good relay for other interpreters.

There's a longer version of this podcast if you're still thirsty for more. It covers the same content, but with more thoughts, stories, explanations...and echoey sound!

You can find the longer version here.

This was the first time I ran a survey so I could incorporate your thoughts and experiences into the podcast, and I really enjoyed it! Many thanks to everyone who contributed.

Your top pet peeves were:

1. Relay too fast/read out
2. "undigested", relay follows syntax of original, leaves words in original language etc.
3. unclear pronunciation/strong accent
4. too hesitant, lots of pauses
5. unfinished sentences
6. mumbling/poor enunciation
7. convoluted syntax, chaotic
8. not quick enough off the mark, or not releasing the channel fast enough at the end

The top things you found helpful when taking relay were:

1. "cleaning up" the output, i.e. salami/adding structure/KISS - basically, not being a parrot
2. clarity, avoiding ambiguity
3. pronunciation, especially of NAMES, figures, difficult concepts
4. clear enunciation
5. all sentences finished, complete ideas
6. 'good pace' - even
7. simple language, avoiding idioms
8. calm and confident
9. summarising/being concise
10. pausing between sentences, or using intonation to separate ideas
11. good intonation

More than 3/4 of respondents said they adapt their output when they know they are being taken on relay. Here are the top suggestions:

• Chunking!! Keep sentences short, with simple grammar.
• Remove padding and stick to the main point (i.e. simplify, edit)
• Pronounce names especially clearly (slow down); figures too
• Slow down
• Avoid weird and wonderful idioms
• Stay calm even if you don't feel calm
• Start quickly - don't leave relay-takers hanging

Some of the resources I mentioned in the podcast:

• My podcast episode about clarity in simultaneous
• My podcast episode about being concise in simultaneous
• The longer, unedited version of this podcast with more stories, thoughts, quotes, etc.
• This LinkedIn post by Ilhem Bezzaoucha about catching names when interpreting

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at info@theinterpretingcoach.com

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is dedicated to impostor syndrome.

Here are some of the approaches I suggest (I've added chapter markers to help you navigate):

OBJECTIVE METHODS to fight negative self-talk

• Check the facts/zoom out
• Feedback (client, peer) - keep a file. Document your successes.
• Questioning your assumptions/expectations - journal of self-discovery
• Is my reaction based on fact or conjecture? Am I just making up stories in my heard?
• Develop the thought: does this person’s opinion matter to my happiness or job security? What would happen if they thought badly of me?

PRACTISING SELF-COMPASSION

• How would you talk to a friend?
• Affirmations
• Learn to accept praise (thank you)
• Embrace progress, not perfection
• Celebrate your successes. Don’t belittle yourself.

GET HELP

• Open up to trusted people (and get a reality check or emotional support)
• Life coach or therapy – low self-esteem

REDEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ i.e. progress, not perfection

• Challenge yourself to fail - did it hurt? e.g. write with wrong hand, art course.

CPD RESOURCES

• Andy Gillies fantastic CPD website: https://interpreterscpd.eu/contributors/
• Andy's post about doing simultaneous for his students
• Skilliga (directory of courses, webinars etc.)
• Rock your Retour - membership site for English retourists
• Stress management ecourse - 8 science-backed body techniques, 5 'mind' techniques to help you with performance anxiety

OTHER MATERIAL

• My blog post about art: "What art taught me about interpreter training"
• My podcast about what to do when you have a bad day in the booth

Let me know what you'd like me to talk about next!

Sophie (aka The Interpreting Coach)

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at info@theinterpretingcoach.com