In the modern world, simultaneous interpreters remain particularly in demand
And yet, as Deutsche Welle notes, artificial intelligence will still only be an aid for human translators. Despite the active development of computer technology, the profession of translator, which requires diverse skills and talents, remains promising and is not threatened with extinction in the foreseeable future. This applies primarily to oral interpreters.
According to estimates by the independent analytical organization Common Sense Advisory (CSA), the volume of the global linguistic services market, of which interpretation services are an important segment, will grow from $46.5 billion (2018 figure) to $56 billion by 2021.
But simultaneous interpreters remain particularly in demand—invisible specialists without whom no international congress or prestigious award ceremony can do. They translate in real time, with a delay of just a few seconds. But how does one become such a specialist? And where are they trained in Germany?
Types of interpreters
Germany has 25 universities that train written translators (Übersetzer) and oral interpreters (Dolmetscher), who in turn are divided into specialized translators (Fachkorrespondent) occupying respective niches in the translation market segment. There are literary translators (Literaturübersetzer), sworn court interpreters (Gerichtsdolmetscher), translators specializing in medical (Medizindolmetscher, Medizinübersetzer), economic (Wirtschaftsdolmetscher, Wirtschaftsübersetzer), and technical (Technischer Dolmetscher, Technischer Übersetzer) topics.
But the elite of the translation community are still simultaneous interpreters (Simultandolmetscher, Konferenzdolmetscher). As a rule, they work in special soundproof booths with headphones and microphones, or they sit next to a participant of an international event and whisper the interpretation into their ear or through a special mobile device (Flusterdolmetscher).
Simultaneous interpretation is a very complex and stressful job. The World Health Organization (WHO) has even listed this profession among the most stressful.
Which German universities train simultaneous interpreters
Currently, there are four universities in Germany where one can obtain a master's degree in simultaneous interpretation. First and foremost is Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, specifically its Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics, and Cultural Studies located in Germersheim. This institution has established itself as a major center for training simultaneous interpreters, distinguished by the diversity of languages taught and the high quality of education.
Incidentally, in Germany, this is the only translation faculty where Russian (like French, Italian, Greek, Dutch, Spanish) can be declared as a native language, or language "A" in translation jargon. In other similar universities, the native language is always German.
The list continues with Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Leipzig University, and the Technical University of Cologne. In each of these universities, the duration of study in the master's program in simultaneous interpretation is four semesters. However, to be admitted, knowledge of foreign languages acquired in secondary school is usually insufficient.
Admission requirements
At the Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics, and Cultural Studies of Mainz University in Germersheim, regardless of which language is your native language and which foreign languages you intend to work with, upon admission to the master's program, proficiency in both the first (language B) and second (language C) foreign languages must correspond to at least level C1 of the recommended European standards of linguistics (CEFR).
For example, a Goethe-Institut certificate is recognized as an international document confirming a sufficient level of German language proficiency for admission to the translation faculty. And the official confirmation of your English language knowledge is the so-called "Cambridge Certificate"—proof that you have passed the tests conducted by the Cambridge University Examination Board.
Also, upon admission, you must present a diploma of higher education or a bachelor's degree, or if not yet obtained, a transcript of the academic disciplines studied during your university education.
Entrance exams
Then you must pass entrance exams in two foreign languages. In total, there are three. First, a 30-minute exam in language B, during which the candidate must demonstrate the ability to present thoughts in a structured manner. After that, a conversation with the examiner. Then, the candidate's ability to work in a simultaneous interpretation booth is tested.
The second exam is on knowledge of language C. It lasts 30 minutes and includes a conversation with the examiner, as well as a test that checks the candidate's ability to express themselves fluently in the foreign language and their understanding of the essence of the text being interpreted. Then, an exam on knowledge of language C in the simultaneous interpretation booth is conducted. After that, the admissions committee decides which of the declared foreign languages the candidate will take an extended exam in.
The third exam is also a test of knowledge of language C. Its duration is 20 minutes. This test is identical in sequence to the 30-minute version, except the candidate does not have to work in the simultaneous interpretation booth. During this exam, passive understanding of language C is tested.
Promising niche
The curriculum of the Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics and Cultural Studies at the University of Mainz in Germersheim covers all aspects of translation, provides training in simultaneous interpreting using booths and special equipment such as portable mobile systems called "whisper devices," and also includes linguistics and cultural studies directly related to translation. Thanks to a variety of interdisciplinary courses, students broadly acquire skills in intercultural communication, as well as technical, economic, medical, legal terminology, tourism terms, and internet slang.
Be that as it may, the better the university where you have mastered the profession of a simultaneous interpreter, the more successful your career will be. An interpreter of the highest class can even gain access to work in EU structures. In the multinational European Parliament, such specialists are constantly needed.
If the starting salary for non-simultaneous translators in Germany is between 27,000 and 36,500 euros per year, a simultaneous interpreter can earn 750 euros per day at the start of their career. As for good, experienced simultaneous interpreters, they are in demand in all fields and earn at least 1,000 euros per day. And the longer the experience, the higher the fees.
Beginners in the translation field in Germany receive significant support from the Association of Conference Interpreters (Verband der Konferenzdolmetscher, VKD), which has over 600 members and is part of the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer, BDÜ). To help its young members, a separate training program has been developed, in which experienced colleagues teach them in special courses. Regular advanced training courses are also held for a wide range of interested parties. Not to mention that this professional organization solves employment problems by acting as a link between employers and interpreters.