SATI Simultaneous Interpreting Accreditation Overview

Accreditation in Simultaneous Interpreting

Prerequisites Active and paid SATI membership of at least three months (student membership does not qualify) plus Evidence of at least three years experience as a simultaneous interpreter OR Current SATI accreditation as simultaneous interpreter 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Venue and Date Testing for simultaneous interpreting accreditation takes place once a year on an ad hoc basis in different centres in South Africa, as the need arises Candidates are required to attend the testing scheduled at a particular date and venue 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Languages Simultaneous interpreting exams can be taken in one language combination, either in one direction OR in both directions (for example only English to Zulu, or English to Zulu and Zulu to English) Simultaneous interpreting exams are currently available for the following language combinations: English to Afrikaans English to French English to German English to Portuguese English to Sepedi English to Spanish English to Tswana English to Zulu English to Xitsonga French to English Portuguese to English Spanish to English German to English Tswana to English Zulu to English Afrikaans to English 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Preparing for the exam The SATI examination is designed for candidates who are already experts and seasoned interpreters and would like to add SATI accreditation to their qualifications. SATI does not train interpreters and we do not offer preparation material to prospective candidates. 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Exam procedure The exam involves actual interpreting The exam is not done in an interpreting booth, but in a quiet room where the candidate sits at a table A source recording is played to the candidate using a laptop and the candidate interprets into a microphone, being recorded Each source recording is usually between 10 - 15 minutes long Candidates are informed of the subject of the source recording for their particular language combination a few days before the exam; they do not see the source text beforehand and are not given any other background information The recordings currently in use have been made especially for SATI exam purposes and are not taken from live situations As the source texts are non-specialised and should be generic enough for any candidate to be able to approach it 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Assessment procedure At the end of the examination, the recordings are copied onto a CD and, together with the source recordings, sent to two or more examiners for assessment. Criteria taken into account: Accuracy and coherence of message TL vocabulary and register TL grammar, idiom and purity Interpreting technique 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Results The examination's assessment can take up to six weeks. Candidates will receive a report with a selection of examiners comments. Note: - Not all errors will be listed in the report - Candidates cannot discuss their results with the examination officer 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Accreditation certification Successful candidates: - will receive an accreditation certificate - will be listed on SATI s website as accredited members - may use their accreditation status in communication with clients, e.g. in their email signature 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Unsuccessful result If a candidate fails to meet the required standard for accreditation in simultaneous interpreting on the day of the examination, they may apply to re-take the exam after one year. The candidate should read the comments carefully and follow the advice given. 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Appeal A candidate who wants to lodge an appeal should submit the application form and proof of payment within 8 weeks after having received the result. The original recording will be assessed by a third examiner and that report will be the final result. No further correspondence will be entered into after the final result is made available. If the Fail result is overturned, the candidate will be refunded for the appeal and will be considered accredited in simultaneous interpreting.. 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

Accreditation validity Accreditation practitioner remains a member of SATI. remains valid as long as the language Accreditation practitioner wish to become re-accredited, they will have to re-apply to do the examination and pass it again. lapses when membership lapses. Should the 52 SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING Presentation

For more info, please email SATI's Accreditation Officer Erica du Preez: accreditation@translators.org.za