Being a freelance interpreter requires a stable client base and a good reputation. This forces us, who are engaged in interpreting, to constantly strengthen our learning. Certification alone is not enough, practical experience and strength are quite important.
First of all, the vocabulary reserve is a very crucial point. To do a good job in interpreting, even the basic accompanying interpreting, exhibition interpreting, nothing more than some basic issues. But this also requires a vocabulary of about 8,000, to put it simply, at least the level of the fourth grade of English, otherwise it is difficult to expect customers will suddenly say what you do not understand the fresh vocabulary.
The second thing is to have a wide range of knowledge. You should know a little bit about geography, history and culture, or at least memorize the names of major countries. Some out-of-the-way countries, such as Barbados, Ecuador, Venezuela and so on, are also basic vocabulary that professional interpreters must master.
Let's talk about how to learn English, it's definitely listening and practicing. If you watch an American drama or a drama about life a few times, you will be able to master a lot of vocabulary. Let's recommend some useful websites. Coco English is very good, I like the CNN and NPR programs, which are translated. It is beneficial to listen to it a few times more, but you must stick to it and not give up halfway. Listen to 2 segments every day and listen to them twice without reading the subtitles to see if you can master the content of 80%, and then read it a few times against the subtitles. The words you don't know should be mastered and reviewed in time, so that your listening will improve very quickly.
NPR, short for National Public Radio, is a general radio station that broadcasts to the Native American public. In fact, quite a lot of its materials are selected in our required course "Listen to This" for English undergraduate majors. Here you can hear live American pronunciation and expressions, learn about authentic American history and culture, and the latest current events, which will really take your listening level to the next level.
NPR was founded in 1970, and about 10% listeners in the United States listen to NPR broadcasts, and there are many intellectuals, politicians and business people among its listeners. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has said that he is a loyal listener of the station.
NPR English program for people: English learners taking CET-6, TEM-4, TEM 8; expatriates preparing to go to the U.S. to study, visit, or visit relatives; English majors in colleges and universities and non-English majors; TOEFL, IELTS, and other kinds of English training courses; newsmakers, foreign personnel and foreign enterprise employees; self-learners wanting to improve their listening skills.
As an interpreter, it is actually very hard work. Like me, I have to go on many trips a year, prepare words for many fields, and bear a lot of psychological pressure. However, I think if you really love this profession, you will not find it hard, but if you are not psychologically prepared, forget it, it is better to find a stable job. Although I am always busy, even when I go home for the New Year, I don't dare not to read or listen to English for a few days, I am afraid that my language ability will deteriorate, because after all, English is not my mother tongue, and it is very difficult to forget it and pick it up again. So everyone should stick it out and cheer together, every one who learns a foreign language is good at it!
