69470 - English Liaison Interpreting II (Second Language)

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

- use basic dialogue interpreting strategies and acquainted with issues relating to Codes of ethics

- apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the field of dialogue interpreting.

Course contents

This module focuses on interpreting in legal settings (courts, police interviews, questioning by investigating magistrates, etc). Based on recent EU recommendations on legal interpreter training, this module will cover five core topics:

1) Knowledge of the Italian criminal justice and the common law system. Students will acquire basic knowledge of how these two different systems work, above all in those situations in which an interpreter is required (hearings, interviews, etc).

2) Transfer skills. Interpreting-related issues will be tackled. These may arise as a result of differences that exist between the two systems. Exercises aimed at consolidating already developed interpreting techniques (such as sight translation, memorisation, short consecutive) and specific exercises for chuchotage (whispered simultaneous).

3) Resources and information retrieval. Students will learn how to identify and assess resources in order to build specific glossaries and prepare for a legal interpreting assignment

4) Specialised language skills. Students will learn to identify and translate as faithfully as possible specialised legal terminology (medical-legal terminology, the description of weapons and tools used to commit crimes, etc) as well as colloquial language, criminal slang, and other jargons.

5) Code of ethics. Issues relating to the professional code of ethics and professional good practice in legal settings will be discussed.

Readings/Bibliography

The textbooks are the following:

• Falbo, C. (2013), La comunicazione interlinguistica in ambito giuridico. http://www.openstarts.units.it/dspace/handle/10077/9305
• Rudvin, M., Spinzi, C. (a cura di), 2015. L'Interprete giuridico. Profilo professionale e metodologie di lavoro. Roma: Carocci.
• Russo, M., Mack G. (a cura di) (2005). Interpretazione di Trattativa. La mediazione linguistico-culturale nel contesto formativo e professionale. Milano: Hoepli.

A specific reading list will be provided during the course.

Teaching methods

This module aims to combine a hands-on approach to dialogue interpreting – i.e. sight translations, recorded or live interviews/lessons with legal professionals (lawyers, judges, etc) and real life simulations - with theory, namely with regard to the professional code of ethics. Students will further be encouraged to work in groups and to draft specialised terminology glossaries on the situations presented in class with the aid of electronic resources made available on the e-learning site. The printed/audiovisual material will gradually increase in difficulty and become more specific. Assignments and activities will be carried out both in class and at home.

Assessment methods

Students will be divided into groups. Each group will be given a specific assignment relating to the situations tackled during the course. This simulation will last around 15 minutes. During this simulation students must demonstrate that they are able to:

a. apply dialogue interpreting techniques, i.e. sight translation, short consecutive and whispered interpreting;

b. translate procedural jargon and specific terminology used in the legal setting;

c. effectively translate the terms used for a specific crime (drug offences, violence, etc);

d. handle the three-party communication and efficiently solve all the unforeseen issues that may arise during the simulation.

In preparation for the simulation students must also prepare a specific glossary.

Teaching tools

Language labs, websites, electronic resources. All printed and audiovisual material used in class, as well as resources for the specific topics tackled in class will be made available on the students’ e-learning site.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Gallai