Best Websites To Enhance Translating and Interpreting Skills
These days I'm exposed to new experience and new skill-set, one of which is translating, and (a little bit) of interpreting. In today blog post, I'll introduce some of my study strategies with direct links. By strictly abiding by the plans, I have now successfully surmounted the fear and apprehension of using English for purpose of work.
In order to successfully carry out the role of an translator and an interpreter, you are expected to be meticulous, elaborate, as well as flexible in terms of choosing the suitable terms conveying the messages both accurately and succinctly. Apparently, it is not simple to achieve the ability at which all the mentioned requirements are met. I am struggling myself, so I am never the best person to give advice and tips at this moment. However, I'd be glad to show you some of my study strategy using some websites and assisting tools such as flashcards or iPad apps. Remember that strategy can varied amongst different people, nevertheless putting into lots of effort is crucial. Endeavor to spend as much time as possible on practicing and be enthusiastic about even a moderate improvement, you'll be good to go.
Besides maintaining to broaden your vocabulary on the specialized field, you can develop translating and interpreting skills through forms of videos, articles or websites designed for novices around the world. Since I've already linked with the address, you simply need to click right onto the headings, and the Internet system will redirect you to the website of your request. I know this is a frivolous precaution; however, due to the significant design of Wix, linked words or phrases are not highlighted, instead they're underlined, which can be confusing for many of you.
I. As for translating skills, you can try out on the following websites:
Newspaper like: BBC, The New York Times and The Guardian.
Taking account of the chief purpose is promoting translating skills not language-using skills overall, I cannot put ample emphasis on that you should understand precisely what your field is, and focus on the specialized field, or some related issues only. For instance, I specialize in Business English, which means I'm required to comprehend extensively phrases & terms such as "Limited liability company", "Joint venture company", "Subsidiary", and so forth in order to qualify to translate a contract or commercial documents. I highly recommend the book titled "Business and Administration" by author Rawdon Wyatt, if you also pursue Business English.
I'm just a beginner. Thus, I have not yet to dig that deep into the area. Presently, I am only able to grasp the tip of the iceberg which is the most basic meaning when translated into Vietnamese. Nonetheless, by acknowledging the correct pathway to take, I believe I can go remarkably further in future.
Strategy for dummies:
The mentioned website and newspapers produce articles ranging from the difficulty scale of "Easy" to "Hard", determine your current ability level and pick suitable ones to read.
Develop a habit of reading an article periodically.
At first reading, skim to get general ideas.
Then proceed to read extensively whilst highlighting and taking notes of unfamiliar terms and phrases. You can consider utilizing app: LINER to highlight.
Make flashcards out of the new terms and phrases. If you don't know where to purchase flashcards, you can follow my advice by going to a printing shop nearby and get yourself a number of blank visit cards.
Translate the complete article on your own without the assistance of dictionary. Avoid writing by hand at all costs. Writing on computer can spare you a plenty of time for other activities.
Check for grammar mistakes. I'm using Grammarly which I find very efficient and effective. Here's how you use it: Copy the text you have written, paste onto this app and let the magic happen.
Try to review the flashcards as regularly as possible.
II. Interpreting skills, on the other hand, you can take a look at this list down below and follow these steps as reference to your own study plan:
Websites:
Strategy for dummies:
First step is similar to the strategy of translating skills. Since all of the indicated websites provide you with videos ranging from the difficulty scale of "Easy" to "Hard", you should be able to determine the level of your current ability and choose out savvily the most decent one to support you.
Once you have managed to pick the website to study from, develop a schedule to watch and interpret periodically.
Try to watch the video for a minimum of 3 times without subtitles.
Following the at least 3 times, stop the video after each sentence and interpret. Then, continually play the video in accelerated speed (From slow to normal) and interpret the complete speech.
On the final time you watch the video, you can turn on subtitles to enhance comprehension. However, it's up to your choice because this step can be passed over if you find unnecessary.
Look up unfamiliar words, phrases, idioms, etc and take notes.
Quickly summarize main ideas of the whole speech on a paper.
Using the paper and notes, you should now try to give a talk before a mirror once in the language you learn and another in your mother tongue.