Intercollegiate Student Interpretation Competitions as an Efficient Training Tool
The study analyzes intercollegiate student interpretation competitions in terms of their academic value for interpreter training. The significance of such events for becoming a professional interpreter is presented. Key student interpretation competition management principles are proposed. The author discusses evaluation criteria used at such competitions, and the need for the criteria unification to enable objective and measureable performance metrics. It is proposed to introduce two categories of such metrics: linguistics and behavior. The former includes such metrics as interpretation accuracy and completeness, using correct terminology, adherence to stylistic and grammar rules of the target language. The latter covers the way the interpretation is presented (voice volume and clarity, confidence, emotional capability, speech rate convenient for the audience, hesitation pauses (yes/no), “extra” sounds, etc.), and such behavioral patterns as the interpreter location with his or her reference to the speaker and the listener, their posture, gesturing, eye contact with the audience. Each metrics has a weighting factor to obtain a more or less objective estimate and assess the interpretation quality.