Technology, language, media are constantly developing and unless interpreters develop with them, the will not be able to keep up with the demands of the profession.
X. OTHER USEFUL HINTS
When working in consecutive, always insist on being seated at the table and within comfortable hearing distance of all speakers.
If slides or film are to be shown, ask the sound engineer to make sure the screen is placed where it is clearly visible to all booths. If necessary explain firmly but courteously that if you cannot see, you cannot do your job properly.
If a film is to be shown, do not attempt to interpret the soundtrack unless you have a direct feed to your headset and have had a chance to study the script in advance. Film and TV commentaries are spoken too fast to be interpreted correctly without a prepared script to hand.
If the interpretation is being recorded, ask for what purpose. If it is for subsequent sale or commercial exploitation, AIIC rules on copyright apply. Check with the Secretariat if necessary.
If you need glasses for reading or seeing slides on a screen, be sure not to forget them at home or in the hotel. If the screen is very far away, opera glasses may be useful.
Remember to keep careful accounts of income and professional expenditure so that you can easily prepare your income tax and, if applicable, VAT returns.
XI. AIIC MEMBERSHIP
As this booklet is an AIIC publication, you will not be surprised to find yourself enjoined to apply for membership of your professional association as soon as you start working as a conference interpreter.
The first step is to get three AIIC colleagues to sign the form registering you as a candidate. This confirms that indeed you are working as a professional. Once you have completed 200 days work you will need at least five signatures (the actual number depends on the number of language pairs to be covered) from AIIC colleagues of five years standing or more who have worked with you and are prepared to vouch for your professionalism and language combination. The rules on how the language combinations should be covered by sponsors are quite complicated but when the AIIC Secretariat sends you the forms, these will explain the procedur