Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies (LINCS)

1. THE TEAM APPROACH TO SPECIALIST TRAINING IN PUBLIC SERVICE INTERPRETING AND TRANSLATING AT HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies (LINCS) Centre for Translation & Interpreting Studies in Scotland (CTISS) Isabelle Perez & Christine Wilson

2. RATIONALE • Postgraduate provision • Legislation and policies • Market demand

3. Liaison interpreting is a profession where, like medicine, teaching and the law, the client’s welfare is usually affected directly. This is not only because most liaison interpreting takes place in the context of other professions such as medicine, teaching and the law, but also because interpreting has its own particular kinds of knowledge, skills and practices which require particular ethical considerations. Gentile et al, 1996

4. Course Structure and Theoretical Underpinning • Core provision (Translation) • Dedicated modules (Interpreting) • Practical activities • Theory (Ethics)

5. METHODOLOGY - DELIVERY • Interactive lectures • In-house simulations inc Mock Trial • Interactive seminars led by PS professionals • Input on procedures • Field visits • Applied practice

6. TEAM APPROACH • Internal: work across language groups, self and peer assessment, students as users… • External: PS professionals as real users, debriefing sessions involving all participants…

7. ADVANTAGES • Students « believe » it, • …they are able to challenge and discuss • … but there is still a role for the tutor • … and the PS professional feeds good practice back into their profession…

8. RESULTS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS • Enhancing employability • Widening access • VLE – Distance Learning

9. CONTACT I.A.Perez@hw.ac.uk C.W.L.Wilson@hw.ac.uk Tel: 0131 451 4201

10. REFERENCE Perez, IA & Wilson, CWL et al (2006). Translating, Interpreting & Communication Support: A Review of Provision in Public Services in Scotland. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive. [ISBN 0 7559 2893 8] http://www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch