Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Sign up for my workshop to create an action plan for the EU test

Support the show

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is dedicated to creating a stress management strategy ahead of an important exam, e.g. the EU's interinstitutional accreditation test, or the UN test for freelances.

DISCLAIMER: I am neither a doctor nor a psychologist. My background is in personal fitness training and nutrition. Where I suggest exercise, diet changes, or supplements, please exercise common sense and consult your doctor first.

I have added chapter markers so you can find your way around. Here are the aspects I've addressed:

• The four pillars of health, without which stress management techniques are a sticking plaster
• identifying stressors: drainers and nourishers
• motivation
• habituation
• stress management techniques for stressful situations
• mindset
• on the day
• summary: creating rituals

If you'd like more detail on the techniques I mention in the podcast, or you want to discover more powerful mind/body techniques, you can access my e-course here.

Use the coupon EUtestcoupon for a 50% discount!

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at info@theinterpretingcoach.com

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Sign up for my workshop on salami technique, 8th May 2025 6.30 pm (UK)

Why 'Complete Interpreter'? Because you're not just a translation machine, you're also a person and a business owner, and I hope to help you take a 360 view of yourself and share some great tried-and-tested strategies to improve your interpreting skills, mindset, use of target language, and marketing.

This episode is about relay: what annoys you when you're taking relay, what you find helpful, and your tips for being a good relay for other interpreters.

It covers the same content as a shorter episode, but with more thoughts, stories, explanations...and echoey sound! You can find the shorter version here.

This was the first time I ran a survey so I could incorporate your thoughts and experiences into the podcast, and I really enjoyed it! Many thanks to everyone who contributed.

Your top pet peeves were:

1. Relay too fast/read out
2. "undigested", relay follows syntax of original, leaves words in original language etc.
3. unclear pronunciation/strong accent
4. too hesitant, lots of pauses
5. unfinished sentences
6. mumbling/poor enunciation
7. convoluted syntax, chaotic
8. not quick enough off the mark, or not releasing the channel fast enough at the end

The top things you found helpful when taking relay were:

1. "cleaning up" the output, i.e. salami/adding structure/KISS - basically, not being a parrot
2. clarity, avoiding ambiguity
3. pronunciation, especially of NAMES, figures, difficult concepts
4. clear enunciation
5. all sentences finished, complete ideas
6. 'good pace' - even
7. simple language, avoiding idioms
8. calm and confident
9. summarising/being concise
10. pausing between sentences, or using intonation to separate ideas
11. good intonation

More than 3/4 of respondents said they adapt their output when they know they are being taken on relay. Here are the top suggestions:

• Chunking!! Keep sentences short, with simple grammar.
• Remove padding and stick to the main point (i.e. simplify, edit)
• Pronounce names especially clearly (slow down); figures too
• Slow down
• Avoid weird and wonderful idioms
• Stay calm even if you don't feel calm
• Start quickly - don't leave relay-takers hanging

Some of the resources I mentioned in the podcast:

• My podcast episode about clarity in simultaneous
• My podcast episode about being concise in simultaneous
• This LinkedIn post by Ilhem Bezzaoucha about catching names when interpreting

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at info@theinterpretingcoach.com

Hi! Welcome to the Complete Interpreter podcast by the Interpreting Coach.

Support the show

Sign up for my workshop on salami technique, 8th May 2025 6.30 pm (UK)

This episode is about relay: what annoys you when you're taking relay, what you find helpful, and your tips for being a good relay for other interpreters.

There's a longer version of this podcast if you're still thirsty for more. It covers the same content, but with more thoughts, stories, explanations...and echoey sound!

You can find the longer version here.

This was the first time I ran a survey so I could incorporate your thoughts and experiences into the podcast, and I really enjoyed it! Many thanks to everyone who contributed.

Your top pet peeves were:

1. Relay too fast/read out
2. "undigested", relay follows syntax of original, leaves words in original language etc.
3. unclear pronunciation/strong accent
4. too hesitant, lots of pauses
5. unfinished sentences
6. mumbling/poor enunciation
7. convoluted syntax, chaotic
8. not quick enough off the mark, or not releasing the channel fast enough at the end

The top things you found helpful when taking relay were:

1. "cleaning up" the output, i.e. salami/adding structure/KISS - basically, not being a parrot
2. clarity, avoiding ambiguity
3. pronunciation, especially of NAMES, figures, difficult concepts
4. clear enunciation
5. all sentences finished, complete ideas
6. 'good pace' - even
7. simple language, avoiding idioms
8. calm and confident
9. summarising/being concise
10. pausing between sentences, or using intonation to separate ideas
11. good intonation

More than 3/4 of respondents said they adapt their output when they know they are being taken on relay. Here are the top suggestions:

• Chunking!! Keep sentences short, with simple grammar.
• Remove padding and stick to the main point (i.e. simplify, edit)
• Pronounce names especially clearly (slow down); figures too
• Slow down
• Avoid weird and wonderful idioms
• Stay calm even if you don't feel calm
• Start quickly - don't leave relay-takers hanging

Some of the resources I mentioned in the podcast:

• My podcast episode about clarity in simultaneous
• My podcast episode about being concise in simultaneous
• The longer, unedited version of this podcast with more stories, thoughts, quotes, etc.
• This LinkedIn post by Ilhem Bezzaoucha about catching names when interpreting

Support the show

My website and blog: https://theinterpretingcoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interpretingcoach/
Twitter: @terpcoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-interpreting-coach/

Or email me at info@theinterpretingcoach.com