Multilingual news websites as a resource for interpreter training

Abstract

The information technology revolution can substantially support and serve interpreter training. Whether the main purpose is acquiring interpreting skills or developing communication competence, the use of multilingual news websites is a very economical method to prepare students for the subsequent consecutive and simultaneous interpreting techniques. Initially, but also throughout the entire training period, interpreting students are exposed to several complementary interpreting techniques, the most common of which are oral summaries, sight translations and reformulations. By using Internet resources, all three of these techniques can be practiced in one oral translation method. The method can be divided into three stages: a contextualisation stage, sight translation stage and reinforcement stage. Each stage contains several steps that can be used flexibly. It proves particularly useful in the context of interpreter training in South Africa at the university I represent, as it enables students to acquire valuable general knowledge and improve their working languages while learning interpretation skills. This article aims to underscore the benefits of using multilingual news websites in interpreting training. It proposes a teaching method and a pedagogical application of sight translation practice, with brief examples taken from French, German, Spanish and English translation combinations.