Requisite skills
LINGUISTIC ABILITY ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE A CONFERENCE INTERPRETER. HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES?
Awareness, concentration, quick reflexes, mental dexterity as well as a broad general knowledge are all of the essence, as is the ability to keep calm when it gets stressful, which it often does!
The skills of the conference interpreter
Besides an in-depth knowledge of their working languages as well as of the cultures related to them, an excellent command of their native tongue is an absolute for every conference interpreter. But the skill set required to become a successful interpreter does not stop at linguistic ability alone. It takes much more:
── Excellent listening and concentration skills
── A good memory, analytical skills and mental dexterity
── A broad general knowledge
── A pleasant voice and good diction
── The ability to keep cool under pressure
── The poise required to perform before a large audience
── Respect for professional confidentiality
── The ability to work as a member of a team and in the spirit of collegiality
── A liking for travel, since interpreters are often on the move for professional reasons
And since interpreters are only ever as good as their preparation,
even with all of these boxes ticked,
only rigorous study and dedicated application will allow you to really deliver!