Have you ever wondered how the role of a conference interpreter came to be? For most of history, it was believed that anyone who knew two languages could be an interpreter. Today, it’s widely acknowledged that the complexity and accuracy required in interpreting demand professionals. Let’s dive into the past to explore the origin and importance of conference interpreters.
Early Conference Interpreters at the Paris Peace Conference
A pressing need for people who could serve as liaisons between military units speaking different languages arose during World War I. At this time, war interpreters appeared, whose role was crucial in the course of war conflicts. Some acted as mediators at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, where representatives of the four victorious countries met to discuss a series of issues that led to the famous Treaty of Versailles and the founding of the League of Nations. The League of Nations was the first intergovernmental organization of its kind with the role to promote international cooperation, peace, and security.
At these meetings, English and French were established as official languages, and interpreters were responsible for transmitting the speeches of the speakers through consecutive interpretation. Consecutive interpretation requires pauses following the pattern: the speaker speaks, then the interpreter, and then the speaker again. The role of these interpreters was essential and, for the first time, their names went down in history and the importance of the profession was recognized.
Emergence of the First Interpreting Equipment
In 1926, the first patent for simultaneous interpreting equipment appeared. At that time, simultaneous interpretation, which occurs concurrently with the speaker’s speech without pauses, was not yet established as a standard interpreting model.
The system was called “Hushaphone Filene-Finley IBM”, and was used for the first time at the International Labor Conference in 1927. Later, at the 1931 and 1932 assemblies of the League of Nations, attempts were made to test the validity of the simultaneous interpretation process, although the system did not come to fruition until ten years later.
The Evolution of Conference Interpreting at the Nuremberg Trials
After World War II, the Allied nations needed an efficient way to conduct the Nuremberg Trials, given the linguistic diversity involved. Held from November 20, 1945, to October 1, 1946, these trials aimed to prosecute top Nazi leaders from Hilter’s National Socialist regime for crimes of aggression against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The Tribunal consisted of representatives from each of the states that signed the London Agreement in 1945, with defendants speaking German, tribunal members using English, French, and Russian, and witnesses speaking a variety of languages. This process marked a pivotal moment in the history of interpreting, it was vital to find a solution to resolve the trials without major complications and in the shortest possible time.
Consecutive interpretation had been the primary model for successfully bridging language gaps when two spoken languages were involved. This mode of interpretation was utilized outside the Palace of Nuremberg, handling tasks like interrogations and exclusive interpretation for judges.
The Nuremberg Trials marked the experimental phase of simultaneous interpretation, allowing for the inclusion of more than two spoken languages. This mode of interpretation was conducted in booths to handle multilingual needs, speed, immediacy, and ensuring defendants understood the proceedings to qualify for a fair trial as required by Articles 16 and 25 of the Tribunal’s Statute.
Defendants faced the judges, with four simultaneous interpretation booths nearby, isolating twelve interpreters behind glass panels. Five translation channels and six microphones were used, with all participants wearing headphones. The interpreters faced several problems, such as limited space in the booths, the small number of headsets available, technical problems, the chilling testimony – and the maintenance of neutrality despite it – insufficient pauses by the speakers, and some linguistic and cultural challenges.
After Nuremberg, simultaneous interpretation moved beyond the experimental phase and gained worldwide support and recognition. Its success led to its implementation in many courts and international organizations, such as the United Nations, a few years after its creation. In the 1950s, the technical equipment for interpretation improved considerably, and the universities of Geneva and Vienna began including the technique in their curricula.
The First International Conference Interpreters
Due to the non-existence of professional interpreters, recruiting them was a complicated task. It is not known for certain how many interpreters took part in Nuremberg. Among them were students and professors from the School of Interpreting at the University of Geneva (the first in the field), as well as immigrants and refugees with a good knowledge of French, English, German, or Russian. Notable interpreters included Colonel Léon Dostert, Siegfried Ramler, and Patricia Van Der Elst, who played significant roles despite their varied backgrounds and limited training.
While there were twelve interpreters in the booths, the long duration of the trials led to turnover, with old interpreters leaving and new ones arriving. To avoid putting too much of a burden on them, it was agreed that interpreting would only be conducted in one direction. This meant that each interpreter translates only from one specific source language into their target language, rather than interpreting back and forth between two languages.
For example, an interpreter might exclusively translate from German to English, but not from English to German. This method helps maintain accuracy and reduces the cognitive load on the interpreter, given the speed at which they must work. Translating into one target language – often the interpreter’s native language – remains a standard practice, even when working from multiple source languages.
Conference Interpreters Today
Nowadays, conference interpreters must have excellent language skills, fluency in their mother tongue, strong nerves, and curiosity about the current world. They must also stay up to date with the latest news, as language is constantly changing.
To become a conference interpreter, most interpreters pursue a postgraduate degree to improve their language skills and specialize in conference interpreting. Despite the misconception that conference interpreters are not important due to the widespread use of English, they are specially trained for conferences with complex speeches and negotiations. At Inclusive Communication Services, most of our interpreters are certified and have worked for organizations such as the EU or the UN.
Conference interpreting continues to utilize the model known as simultaneous interpreting. This involves translating in real-time from the source language to the target language, typically while the speaker is still talking. The evolution of this practice has been remarkable, not only in the technology used today—such as booths, microphones, and specialized equipment—but also in the rigorous preparation, training, and professionalism of interpreters. Consecutive interpreting, where the interpreter speaks after the speaker, is still used for smaller settings with one or two language pairs, like gala dinners, visits, or meetings.
Ensuring Global Communication at Conferences
The Nuremberg Trials marked a turning point in world history, redefining concepts of justice and human rights while highlighting the critical role of interpreters. This pivotal moment solidified simultaneous interpretation as the standard in major international conferences.
Conference interpreters are crucial when the speaker’s language differs from the audience’s. They provide clarity, as nuances and intentions can be lost without interpretation. By allowing listeners to focus on the message rather than the language, interpreters ensure that all attendees fully understand the content, preventing misunderstandings and ensuring effective communication. Reach out to Inclusive Communication Services to arrange international conference interpreters for your next event.
Sources
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- Dario, M. (2018). Nuremberg trials and the importance of a good interpreter. Retrieved 1 October 2019, from https://euterpetranslations.com/juicios-de-nuremberg-y-la-importancia-de-un-buen-interprete/
- EU Interpreters.(2010). Patricia Vander Elst on the Nuremberg Trials [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flMgCYBueBI
- Ferrín, S. (2016). Nuremberg: interpretation and justice. Retrieved 2 October 2019, from https://blogs.comillas.edu/comillasbabel/2016/11/20/nuremberg-interpretacion-y-justicia
- Guelbenzu, C. (2010). Interpretation at Nuremberg. Retrieved 3 October 2019, from https://bootheando.com/2010/02/06/la-interpretacion-en-nuremberg/
- Moyano, A. (2018, April 10). The Nuremberg trials: original version with simultaneous translation. El diario vasco. Retrieved 3 October 2019, from https://www.diariovasco.com/culturas/juicios-nuremberg-version-20180410001232-ntvo.html
- Puerta, B. (2017). History of interpretation. Retrieved 1 October 2019, from https://www.lematraductores.com/blog/historia-interpretacion/
- Sands, P. (2014, October 22). Nuremberg trials interpreter Siegfried Ramler: ‘The things we saw were shocking. The Guardian. Retrieved 3 October 2019, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/22/nuremberg-trials-siegfried-ramler-nazis-interpreter-war-crimesSuárez , C. (2014). Simultaneous interpretation and the Nuremberg trials (Master’s Thesis. University of Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares). Retrieved 3 October 2019, from https://ebuah.uah.es/dspace/bitstream/handle/10017/23743/TFM%20carmen%20suarez.pdf?sequence=1
