Developing and Using an Ad Hoc Corpus to Teach Specialized Interpreting: A Case Study of German Embassy Speeches

Abstract

This article describes a corpus-based approach to specialized interpreter training, advocating for the compilation and use of ad hoc corpora to support trainers when developing training materials for specific domains. To do so, this article presents a case study to illustrate the utility and the subsequent analysis of an ad hoc corpus for specialized interpreting training, which is conceived of as a complement to current training practices for diplomatic interpreting. A specialized German language corpus of embassy speeches and interviews was compiled based on freely-available data and subsequently analyzed to identify genre- and domain-specific features of these types of addresses. By identifying discourse, text type, and specific terminology and expressions, trainers can develop domain- and genre-specific materials for training that align with the types of discourse that are likely to be encountered when working in these specialized domains. These materials can be used as part of courses in addition to self-study. This corpus-based approach to materials development can complement current training practices for specialized interpreting and enable authentic materials to be integrated into the interpreting classroom.