Consecutive interpreting is also known as dialogue interpreting. In this mode, the interpreter listens to the message in the source language and interprets it in the target language so that both speakers, who do not speak a common language, can effectively communicate. Each speaker pauses while the interpreter interprets.

Consecutive interpreting is normally done in court to deliver witness testimony when the witness does not speak the language of the court. Consecutive interpreting gives the interpreter more time to analyse and convert the message before delivery. However, court proceedings interpreted in the consecutive mode take up to three times longer than proceedings in English or French alone.

What you will be tested on

This is the second part of the Sight/Consecutive exercise. Your oral rendition of the sight translation exercise recorded at the beginning of the test will be used for the consecutive interpreting portion.

You will hear short segments of your sight translation from Section 1 and will be asked to translate your other language into English.

If you are not finished translating when a new segment starts, you should pay attention to the new segment.

The consecutive interpreting exercise will take about 7 minutes.

Practicing consecutive interpreting

For information on how to practice for the test, and for additional practice exercises, please refer to Section  6, Consecutive Dialogue.