Simultaneous interpretation: speech perception and production problems

We carried out our research to identify the actual problems and difficulties of speech production and perception in simultaneous interpretation. For this purpose, we studied the recordings of the plenary session of the II International Online Congress “G-Global - 21st Century World”, and also surveyed 38 working students majoring in “Simultaneous Translation” at the AlFarabi Kazakh National University and the Abylai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages to explore their attitude to simultaneous interpretation. The article defines the concepts of simultaneous interpretation, speech perception and production, highlights the pros and cons of interpretation and problems faced by synchronists, and also describes the main strategies of simultaneous interpretation. Having analyzed the excerpts of the session, we found out that qualified synchronists correctly use grammatical and lexical substitutions, integration and omissions in the interpretation process. The student survey data suggest that dissatisfaction with the work of a simultaneous interpreter is mostly due to: workload (72%), enormous responsibility (13%), irregular work schedule (8%), poor workplace equipment (7%). The study highlighted the main specifics of simultaneous interpretation; positive and negative aspects of working as a simultaneous interpreter; level of satisfaction with the profession; identified difficulties in work; and basic problems of speech perception and production. The research showed that simultaneous interpretation is one of the most complex types of translation, with certain problems that require the translator to have special psychological and linguistic training, highly focused attention and proficiency in the material being translated. However, this type of translation makes it possible to perceive the presenter’s speech without interruptions, which erases the language barriers between all the participants in the process, and the interpretation itself can be carried out simultaneously in several languages to reach a huge audience of listeners.