Why are interpreting services essential for news broadcasting?

by Target Language Translation Services

- August 13, 2021

According to The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA), interpreting is the facilitation of spoken or signed language communication between users of different languages. It is an ancient human activity used as a connection bridge across different cultures throughout history and predates the invention of writing.

There are various modes of interpreting services and they can take place in many settings and for various reasons. Interpreting (Simultaneous, Consecutive, Liaison or Bilateral Interpreting, Sight interpreting or Whisper Interpreting) can be on-site with the interpreter present, on the spot. With telephone or video interpreting, the people using an interpreter are in the same room, but the interpreter provides his/her services over the phone or via a video link.

Meanwhile, there are various types of interpreting services offered, including the following: conference interpreting, legal or court interpreting, community or public sector interpreting, healthcare interpreting, media interpreting, sign language interpreting, etc.

As for news interpreting, there may have been a few instances you stumbled upon a channel where the hosts were talking and a different voice in another language is overlaid on their live speech. This an instance of simultaneous interpreting applied in broadcast media as they distribute their content to regions where a different language prevails. Media outfits, however, also apply consecutive interpreting in some cases especially when doing interviews with occasional guests.

There’s no question that interpreters are needed to facilitate understanding for news broadcast audiences who use various languages. The more significant point here, though, is that you can’t just hire any interpreter. For those in the media, most especially those involved in news and current affairs, it’s essential to apply professional news interpreting services primarily for the following reasons:

Guarantee accuracy

Accuracy is no less important when the news story is simultaneously translated to people who speak other languages. It is vital that the same ideas and content are conveyed to non-English speaking audiences not only because they deserve to be as informed as English speakers, but because the information can help keep people safe and inform their world view.

It’s not just about plain accuracy. A word-by-word translation can be regarded as accurate but not all of the time. Emphasis should be given on contextual accuracy.

Maintain credibility

The commitment to accuracy is related to another attribute media outfits should have – credibility. To be credible, it’s fundamental to be associated with dependable information, something that can only be achieved by being accurate. Of course, it’s not possible to be faultless all the time. However this is not an excuse to be cavalier when it comes to language interpreting.

Occasional interpreting mistakes are forgivable, but committing them habitually because of not using professional interpreting services is a self-destructive imposition. It can seriously damage the reputation of a news program or even an entire media outlet. Take note that in many cases, interpreters are needed because a program is dealing with a foreign guest whose words are deemed relevant locally and internationally.

Avoid being a joke

It’s not fun for an organization that is expected to be serious with journalistic accuracy standards and ethics to be reduced into a short comedic video clip.

That’s why it’s only logical for media organizations to apply professional and experienced interpreting services. There’s nothing wrong with being frugal and mindful of expenses, but being a tightwad to the point of ditching specialized interpreters to reduce operating costs does not bode well for the image of a serious news organization. This can even be exploited by competitors to mock and belittle the capabilities and credibility of a news outlet.

Keep up with the pace

Simultaneous interpreting for broadcasts does not only need accuracy, but it also necessitates speedy thinking. TV or webcast audiences expect the interpreting to be almost similar to dubbing, which means gaps between the actual conversations and interpretations should be barely conspicuous. It’s extremely hard to do this even for professionals, as the interpreter needs to listen, understand, translate, and speak at virtually the same time. If professionals find this task difficult, what would you expect from amateurs and ordinary polyglots who are not accustomed to the simultaneous interpreting routine?

Timely delivery of information

Simultaneous interpreting appears to be the preferred mode for news broadcasts, and rightly so because news needs to be delivered at its freshest. Only professionals interpreting services can offer the right combination of speed and accuracy required for the simultaneous interpreting necessary for live broadcasts, who have special ways of framing thoughts and compressing long lines without losing the accuracy of the message being conveyed. You can’t expect the same from inexperienced newbies and those who lack adequate interpreting training.

The impact of interpreting services

Errors brought about by the mistakes of an interpreter can have serious consequences not only to the credibility of the program but also to those who rely on the information aired by the program.

Professional interpreters are significant for news broadcasts because only those who have the proper training and experience are capable of interpreting for news broadcasts with accuracy and the right speed to keep up with the pace speakers talk (during simultaneous translation) to help maintain a news program’s credibility and prevent gaffes and reputational damage.

Target Language Translation Services is a global language solutions provider that serves clients in different countries in the populated continents of the world. We cater to your language service needs across different industries, from automotive to finance, healthcare, technology, legal, electricity, etc. The agency’s international network of interpreters, translators, localization experts, and other language professionals are always eager to handle any kind of job that involves the translation of one language to another. These include the subtitling and interpreting of news and other programs, interpreting for interviews and press conferences, as well as the localization of websites, apps, and video games.

This article is reprinted from acutrans, Day Translations and commit.

If there is a copyright, please inform us in time, we will delete it right the first time.