Article,
E- Learning for interpreting
Babel: Revue internationale de la traduction/International Journal of Translation, (2007)
Abstract
This article deals on how new information technologies can be applied to interpreter training, a field of research still in its early stages. The use of a digital interpreting laboratory and the new teaching paths that are now open through the internet, such as interpreting e- or distance learning, are explored, such as the use of new digitalized sources of input for interpreting practice and the convenient storage and retrieval of student exercises on a digital format. The development of interpreting training materials suitable for this new learning environment and the actual design of teaching units and their components is also explained. An online interpreting platform that allows both for the provision of such materials and the storage of students practice files has been devised, and the procedure for their collection is given in detail. The site also provides with links of all sort of resources the trainee might need in order to accomplish practice work. Materials are aimed both at developing interpreting subskills, such as comprehension or public speaking skill and at training the whole task. In order to design appropriate courses within this new environment, a look into the field of Educational Technology is needed. In our approach, e-learning is viewed as an extension of the physical class; as such the on-line tool has proved efficient. Situated cognition and constructivist paradigms are applied to the teaching of interpreting in the new learning environments. After examining the pros and cons of the distance learning mode and the interpreting task, the authors advocate blended learning as the one that best meets interpreter training goals at present, although they are aware there is still a long way to go in CAIT (Computer Assisted Interpreter Training).
