Simultaneous Interpreting of a Hyperbole

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to point out the differences and difficulties that may encounter an interpreter while converting hyperbole from English into either Arabic or French, due to the differences in the cultures and, of course, that in the languages of the study. This article uses methods from comparative linguistics and interpreting techniques to analyze several examples of hyperbole that the simultaneous interpreter faces. The analysis shows that the application of these methods will fulfill the objective of this study which is an attempt to provide guidance and methods for the process for interpreting hyperbole and propose further reference in translating it simultaneously. By so doing, the simultaneous interpreter avoids conflicts in cultures that may arise by literal translations or by the drop of the units of the concerned hyperbole rendered in the TL. The study demonstrates the expected lacunae and shortcomings in the simultaneous translations of the hyperbole English/Arabic/French. The studied examples were extracted from the cultures of the three languages of study. In investigating the cultures of the concerned languages and by forwarding a proposal in the findings, as a method for interpreting hyperbole, the future problems of interpreting it will be lessened for interpreters. The findings, also, suggest avoiding shortcomings in interpreting hyperbole, from English into Arabic or French.