Blog 18: Fourth Interview Preparation

Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in your field concerning your senior project. The focus of your questions should be on your answer to your EQ.

1. What is the purpose of interpreting?
2. What is the most important aspect of interpreting?
3. How does creativity tie into interpreting, if at all?
4. What does it mean to be fluent in a language?
5. What is the best way to achieve fluency?
6. What is the best way to deal with words that don't have an equivalent in the target language
7. Does an interpreter’s accent affect what the people listening think about the interpreter and/or what is being said?
8. What is the best way to make sure you have a realistic accent?
9. How important is it to know the culture of a language?
10. What role does a person's culture play in their understanding of a message/interpretation?
11. What aspects of culture are most important to know?
12. What are some strategies you use when you encounter someone who is difficult to interpret for?
13. How important is it to go through some kind of formal interpreter training?
14. How has your training helped you in the "real world" of interpreting?
15. What is the greatest challenge you have encountered while interpreting?
16. How can you be sure the audience is understanding your interpretation?
17. How can an interpreter best ensure understanding between people who do not speak the same language?
18. How can I go more in-depth on my EQ?
19. How can I improve any of my three answers?
20. To you, what is the best part of being an interpreter?

Blog 6: Second Interview Preparation (Finally!)

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?
        My mentor is Anne Guzman. She is a English/Spanish interpreter and owns Guzman Translation and Interpreting.

2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?

• What first inspired you to become an interpreter?
• How long have you been interpreting professionally?
• What type of interpretation do you focus on?
• How many languages do you interpret in? How did you learn them?
• In what different settings/fields have you worked and what have you learned from each?
• What interpreter training, if any, have you received? Where did you receive it?
• What is the history of your company? 

Blog 4: First Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?
        I plan to interview Monica Giron, because she has many years of experience as a consecutive interpreter for immigration court and as a medical interpreter. Because of her experience in these two different areas, I believe she will be able to give me valuable insight as to the details of being a consecutive interpreter.

2. What additional questions do you plan to ask?

• How did you know you wanted to become an interpreter?
• How does personality play a role in a person's success as an interpreter?
• What personal characteristics or qualities are valuable to have as an interpreter?
• What is the best preparation one can get for becoming a consecutive interpreter?
• What would you say are some common mistakes of aspiring interpreters?
• What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to become an interpreter?