STFL Public Lecture – What it takes to interpret a 15-minute speech

An interpreter’s job is both challenging and rewarding. But what are the qualities required of a competent interpreter? The answer was revealed in a virtual public lecture conducted by Dr Cheung King Man, Lecturer of the School of Translation and Foreign Languages, entitled “What it takes to interpret a 15-minute speech”, on 27 May 2022. To meet overwhelming public demand, an additional session was held on 10 June 2022.

Dr Cheung gave the audience an overview of the different modes of conference interpretation, including consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation and sight translation. He then pointed out the qualities necessary to be a competent conference interpreter: both hands-on professional training on interpreting and good listening, speaking and language skills are essential for one’s competitive advantage in the workplace.

Dr Cheung demonstrates consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting during the public lecture

Dr Cheung points out that the work of a conference interpreter is both challenging and rewarding