prepare to be an interpreter

INTERPRETING AND TRANSLATING

On the surface, the difference between interpreting and translation is only the difference in the medium: the interpreter translates orally, while a translator interprets written text.

While linguistic and cultural skills are still critical, the most important mark of a good translator is the ability to write well in the target language.

Interpreting, just like translation, is fundamentally the art of paraphrasing—the interpreter listens to a speaker in one language, grasps the content of what is being said, and then paraphrases his or her understanding of the meaning using the tools of the target language. However, just as you cannot explain a thought to someone if you did not fully understand that thought, neither can you translate or interpret something without mastery of the subject matter being relayed. (source)

KEY TO YOUR PREPARATION ARE

understanding the topics under scrutiny
learning the technical words used to write resolutions and debate issues in Fermun
practise switching from one language to the other
develop your writing skills in the target language

--> deux sites recommandés par Mme Atauri, interprète à la commission européenne:

Le speech repository de l'union européenne : le plus facile d'utiliser, il peut vous être très utile pour pratiquer la technique (on peut choisir la langue, le niveau, le sujet):

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/sr

Dans UN TV des Nations Unies, il peut être plus compliqué de trouver les bons discours et certains peuvent être très difficiles, mais les sujets plus intéressants :

https://media.un.org/en/webtv

PREPARATION 2024

FerMUN 2024 will be hosted by the ILO (International Labour Organization) or OIT in French (Organisation internationale du Travail):

Founded in 1919, it became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946.

1) Explore what the ILO is:

Find it on this chart – what sort of agency is it?
Explore the ILO website here
as well as their youtube channel here

You can use the interesting of the Council of the European Union : for advice, exercises, and general theory on consecutive and simultaneous interpretation

in English: https://orcit.eu/resources-shelf-en/story_html5.html
in French: https://orcit.eu/resources-shelf-fr/story_html5.html
in Spanish: https://orcit.eu/resources-shelf-es/story.html

We will be all working in the ILO 4 – Innovation – (Trilingual committee)
keywords: Intelligence Artificielle, remplacement des humains au travail par des machines, conservation de l’artisanat et des petites entreprises face aux machines, télétravail.

Issue 1: The impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work: How can we protect workers whose jobs could disappear and how can we use AI to improve working conditions and open up new opportunities?
Problématique 1: Les impacts de l’intelligence artificielle sur l’avenir du travail : Comment protéger les travailleurs dont les emplois pourraient disparaître et comment utiliser l’IA pour améliorer les conditions de travail et permettre de nouvelles opportunités.

Issue 2: The digital economy: A pathway to more and better work for young people?
Problématique 2: L’économie numérique : Une voie vers des emplois plus nombreux et de meilleure qualité pour les jeunes ?

(reports are not available yet)

Chairs: Saliqa Amin, Davis Spade, Gabriela Valle.

(other committees here: https://fermun.org/problematiques-et-rapports/)

2) You can use TED events videos to practice interpreting - and getting used to speaking and listening at the same time. Listening, taking notes and speaking at the same time needs practice!

Try with this video (link to the official TED website with video and transcript)

Piyachart Phiromswad: The tech we need to fight workplace ageismFrom exoskeletons and robotic arms to the mass adoption of remote work, economist Piyachart Phiromswad explores what seniors need to overcome the physical, mental and societal barriers to employment, a necessary shift in our rapidly aging world. Learn more about how these tools could empower elderly workers and better the world — for everyone.

How do we stop the massive inequality dominating the world economy?The world's top 20 internet companies come from just two countries -- the US and China -- and they show no signs of slowing down (think Amazon and Alibaba, respectively). We need a more equitable digital revolution to spread the wealth or else face massive global inequality, says digital strategist François Candelon. His solution? To urge governments and tech titans to invest their brainpower for win-win strategic partnerships on a micro and macro level. Our brave new digital world depends on it.

3) Watch this video and practise interpreting as she speaks: work in pairs, have a paper ready to take notes and scribble some things to help your partner.

You can check your work against the official video published with subtitles in French https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlcB9-6YtSc or in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBIG1I5asuY

4) THE FUTURE OF WORK

in English: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/future-of-work/lang--en/index.htm

Co-chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, the independent 27-member Commission includes leading global figures from business, trade unions, think tanks, government and non-governmental organizations. It was established by the International Labour Organization in 2017 as part of the ILO’s Future of Work Centenary Initiative. The Organization marks its centenary in 2019.

Among the key issues considered by the Commission are new forms of work, the institutional ramifications of the changing nature of work, lifelong learning, greater inclusivity and gender equality, the measurement of work and human well-being, and the role of universal social protection in a stable and just future of work.

en français: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/future-of-work/lang--fr/index.htm

Cette commission indépendante de 27 membres regroupe des personnalités mondiales du monde des affaires, des syndicats, des groupes de réflexion, ainsi que des organisations gouvernementales et non gouvernementales, sous la houlette de ses deux coprésidents, le Président de la République d’Afrique du Sud, Cyril Ramaphosa, et le Premier ministre suédois, Stefan Löfven. La commission a été créée en 2017 dans le cadre de l'Initiative du centenaire sur l'avenir du travail de l'Organisation internationale du Travail. L'OIT célèbre son 100e anniversaire en 2019.

Parmi les questions clés examinées par la commission figurent les nouvelles formes de travail, les ramifications institutionnelles de la nature changeante du travail, l'apprentissage tout au long de la vie, l'inclusion et l'égalité du genre, la mesure de l'emploi et du bien-être des êtres humains et le rôle de la protection sociale universelle dans un avenir de travail stable et équitable.

en español: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/future-of-work/lang--es/index.htm

Copresidido por el presidente sudafricano Cyril Ramaphosa y el primer ministro sueco Stefan Löfven, la Comisión independiente de 27 miembros incluye a importantes figuras mundiales provenientes de empresas, sindicatos, grupos de expertos, gobiernos y organizaciones no gubernamentales. La Comisión establecida por la Organización Internacional del Trabajo en 2017 como parte de la Iniciativa del centenario del futuro del trabajo de la OIT. La organización celebra su centenario en 2019.

Entre los temas clave considerados por la Comisión se incluyen las nuevas formas de trabajo, las ramificaciones institucionales de la cambiante naturaleza del trabajo, el aprendizaje a lo largo de toda la vida, una mayor inclusión y la igualdad de género, la medición del empleo y el bienestar de los seres humanos, y el papel que cumple la protección social universal en un futuro de trabajo estable y justo.

HOMEWORK: