Admission exams in international organisations: The United Nations’ Language Competitive Examination (LCE)
Abstract In most cases, prior to being admitted into an international organisation as a conference interpreter, candidates need to be tested. The Language Competitive Examination (LCE) is the test that the United Nations organises to assess the level of proficiency of candidates and decide who possesses the necessary skills to work at the UN. Since 2001, an increasing number of examinations have been held to establish a roster from which to cover present and future vacancies. Despite the large number of applicants, very few of them actually pass. One reason might be that LCE speeches present specific challenges that candidates have to master beforehand in order to pass the examination. An analysis of LCE procedure was carried out to shed light on the main features of the LCE. The results show that UN topics, speed and accents are the main challenges that candidates must be aware of if they are to prepare appropriately. These findings are corroborated by a survey targeted at UN staff interpreters, who suggest that the challenge lies in the very modality tested at the LCE, which is simultaneous interpreting.
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Barghout, Alma, Ruiz Rosendo, Lucía and Mónica Varela García. 2015. «The Influence of Speed on Omissions in Simultaneous Interpreting». Babel 61 (3): 305-334. https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.61.3.01bar
Barghout, Alma, Ruiz Rosendo, Lucía and Mónica Varela García. 2016. «The Omission as a Quality Indicator in Simultaneous Interpreting: An Experimental Study». 8th Congress of the EST (European Society for Translation Studies). University of Aarhus (Denmark). 15-17 September 2016.
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Barik, Henri C. 1973. «Simultaneous Interpretation: Temporal and Quantitative Data». Language and Speech 16: 237-270. https://doi.org/10.1177/002383097301600307
Changshuan, Li. 2010. «Coping strategies for fast delivery in simultaneous interpretation». JoSTrans 13: 19-25.
Cheung, Andrew K. F. 2013. «Non-native accents and simultaneous interpreting quality perceptions». Interpreting 15 (1): 25-47. https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.15.1.02che
Déjean Le Féal, Karla. 1978. Lectures et improvisations: Incidences de la forme de l'énonciation sur la traduction simultanée. Doctoral dissertation. Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle.
Derwing, Tracey M. and Murray J. Munro. 2009. «Putting Accent in its Place: Rethinking Obstacles to Communication». Language Teaching 42 (4): 476-490. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026144480800551X
Diur, Marie. 2014. Preparing Candidates for the United Nations Language Competitive Examination (LCE). Masters dissertation. Université de Genève.
Donovan, Clare. 2003. «Entrance Exam Testing for Conference Interpretation Courses: How Important is it?» Forum 1 (2): 17-46. https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.1.2.02don
Gaiba, Francesca. 1999. «Interpretation at the Nuremberg Trial». Interpreting 4 (1): 9-22.
Gerver, David. 1969/2002. «The Effects of Source Language Presentation Rate on the Performance of Simultaneous Conference Interpreters». In The Interpreting Studies Reader, ed. by Franz Pöchhacker and Miriam Schlesinger. London: Routledge, 53-66.
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Hale, Sandra, Bond, Nigel and Jeanna Sutton. 2011. «Interpreting Accent in the Courtroom». Target 23 (1): 48-61. https://doi.org/10.1075/target.23.1.03hal
Lin, I-hsin I., Feng-lan, A. Chang and Feng-lan Kuo. 2013. «The Impact of Non-native Accented English on Rendition Accuracy in Simultaneous Interpreting». Translation & Interpreting 5(2): 30-44. https://doi.org/10.12807/ti.105202.2013.a03
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Mazzetti, Andrea. 1999. «The Influence of Segmental and Prosodic Deviations on Source Text Comprehension in Simultaneous Interpretation». The Interpreters' Newsletter 9: 125-147.
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Meuleman, Chris and Fred Van Besien. 2009. «Coping with Extreme Speech Conditions in Simultaneous Interpreting». Interpreting 11 (1): 20-34. https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.11.1.03meu
Moser-Mercer, Barbara. 1994. «When multiculturalism and international competence are a must». In Educational Exchange and Global Competence, ed. by Richard D. Lambert. New York: The Council, 95-107.
Pio, Sonia. 2003. «The Relation between ST Delivery Rate and Quality in Simultaneous Interpretation». The Interpreters' Newsletter 12: 69-100.
Pym, Anthony. 2009. «On Omission in Simultaneous Interpreting: Risk Analysis of a Hidden Effort». In Efforts and models in interpreting and translation research: A tribute to Daniel Gile, ed. by Gyde Hansen, Andrew Chesterman and Heidrun Gerzymisch-Arbogast. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 83-105. https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.80.08pym
Reithofer, Karin. 2010. «English as a Lingua Franca vs. Interpreting: Battleground or Peaceful Coexistence?» The Interpreters' Newsletter 15: 143-157.
Ruiz Rosendo, Lucía and Marie Diur. 2017. «Employability in the United Nations: An Empirical Analysis of Interpreter Training and the LCE». The Interpreter and Translator Trainer 11(2-3): 223-237. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399X.2017.1344921
Sabatini, Elisabetta. 2000. «Listening comprehension, shadowing and simultaneous interpreting of two «non-standard» English speeches». Interpreting 5 (1): 25-48. https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.5.1.03sab
Seleskovitch, Danica. 1965. «Colloque sur l'enseignement de l'interprétation». Geneva: AIIC (Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conference).
Seleskovitch, Danica and Marianne Lederer. 1984. Interpréter pour traduire. Paris: Didier Érudition.
Shlesinger, Miriam. 2003. «Effects of presentation rate on working memory in simultaneous interpreting». The Interpretes' Newsletter 12: 37-49.
Sunnari, Marianna. 1995. «Processing strategies in simultaneous interpreting (SI): «Saying it all» vs. synthesis». In Topics in interpreting research, ed. by Jorma Tommola. Turku: University of Turku, 109-121.
United Nations. 1980. «Other Administrative and Budgetary Questions». In The Yearbook of the United Nations, ed. by United Nations, Volume 34, 1220-1247. New York: United Nations. Accessed February 15 2015. http://cdn.un.org/unyearbook/yun/chapter_pdf/1980YUN/1980_P1 _SEC5_CH3.pdf
United Nations. 2015. «United Nations Careers». Accessed August 25 2015. https://careers.un.org/
Albl-Mikasa, Michaela. 2010. «Global English and English as a Lingua Franca (ELF): Implications for the Interpreting Profession». Trans-kom 3(2): 126-148.
Altman, Janet. 1990. «What Helps Effective Communication? Some Interpreter's Views». The Interpreter's Newsletter 3: 23-32.
Baigorri Jalón, Jesús. 2004. Interpreters at the United Nations: A History. Salamanca: Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca.
Barghout, Alma, Ruiz Rosendo, Lucía and Mónica Varela García. 2015. «The Influence of Speed on Omissions in Simultaneous Interpreting». Babel 61 (3): 305-334. https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.61.3.01bar
Barghout, Alma, Ruiz Rosendo, Lucía and Mónica Varela García. 2016. «The Omission as a Quality Indicator in Simultaneous Interpreting: An Experimental Study». 8th Congress of the EST (European Society for Translation Studies). University of Aarhus (Denmark). 15-17 September 2016.
Barik, Henri C. 1994. «A Description of Various Types of Omissions, Additions and Errors of Translation Encountered in Simultaneous Interpretation». In Bridging the Gap: Empirical Research in Simultaneous Interpretation, ed. by Sylvie Lambert and Barbara Moser-Mercer. Amsterdam, Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 121-138. https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.3.12bar
Barik, Henri C. 1973. «Simultaneous Interpretation: Temporal and Quantitative Data». Language and Speech 16: 237-270. https://doi.org/10.1177/002383097301600307
Changshuan, Li. 2010. «Coping strategies for fast delivery in simultaneous interpretation». JoSTrans 13: 19-25.
Cheung, Andrew K. F. 2013. «Non-native accents and simultaneous interpreting quality perceptions». Interpreting 15 (1): 25-47. https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.15.1.02che
Déjean Le Féal, Karla. 1978. Lectures et improvisations: Incidences de la forme de l'énonciation sur la traduction simultanée. Doctoral dissertation. Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle.
Derwing, Tracey M. and Murray J. Munro. 2009. «Putting Accent in its Place: Rethinking Obstacles to Communication». Language Teaching 42 (4): 476-490. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026144480800551X
Diur, Marie. 2014. Preparing Candidates for the United Nations Language Competitive Examination (LCE). Masters dissertation. Université de Genève.
Donovan, Clare. 2003. «Entrance Exam Testing for Conference Interpretation Courses: How Important is it?» Forum 1 (2): 17-46. https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.1.2.02don
Gaiba, Francesca. 1999. «Interpretation at the Nuremberg Trial». Interpreting 4 (1): 9-22.
Gerver, David. 1969/2002. «The Effects of Source Language Presentation Rate on the Performance of Simultaneous Conference Interpreters». In The Interpreting Studies Reader, ed. by Franz Pöchhacker and Miriam Schlesinger. London: Routledge, 53-66.
Gerver, David. 1976. «Empirical Studies of Simultaneous Interpretation: A Review and a Model» In Translation: Applications and Research, ed. by Richard W. Brislin. New York: Gardner Press, 165-207.
Gile, Daniel. 2009. Basic concepts and models for interpreter and translator training. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.8
Hale, Sandra, Bond, Nigel and Jeanna Sutton. 2011. «Interpreting Accent in the Courtroom». Target 23 (1): 48-61. https://doi.org/10.1075/target.23.1.03hal
Lin, I-hsin I., Feng-lan, A. Chang and Feng-lan Kuo. 2013. «The Impact of Non-native Accented English on Rendition Accuracy in Simultaneous Interpreting». Translation & Interpreting 5(2): 30-44. https://doi.org/10.12807/ti.105202.2013.a03
Liu, Minhua, Schallert, Diane and Patrick J. Carroll. 2004. «Working Memory and Expertise in Simultaneous Interpreting». Interpreting 6 (1): 19-42. https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.6.1.04liu
Mazzetti, Andrea. 1999. «The Influence of Segmental and Prosodic Deviations on Source Text Comprehension in Simultaneous Interpretation». The Interpreters' Newsletter 9: 125-147.
McAllister, Robert. 2000. «Perceptual foreign accent and its relevance for simultaneous interpreting». In Language Processing and Simultaneous Interpreting: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, ed. by Birgitta Englund Dimitrova and Kenneth Hyltenstam. Amsterdam: John Benjamnis, 45-63. https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.40.05mca
Meuleman, Chris and Fred Van Besien. 2009. «Coping with Extreme Speech Conditions in Simultaneous Interpreting». Interpreting 11 (1): 20-34. https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.11.1.03meu
Moser-Mercer, Barbara. 1994. «When multiculturalism and international competence are a must». In Educational Exchange and Global Competence, ed. by Richard D. Lambert. New York: The Council, 95-107.
Pio, Sonia. 2003. «The Relation between ST Delivery Rate and Quality in Simultaneous Interpretation». The Interpreters' Newsletter 12: 69-100.
Pym, Anthony. 2009. «On Omission in Simultaneous Interpreting: Risk Analysis of a Hidden Effort». In Efforts and models in interpreting and translation research: A tribute to Daniel Gile, ed. by Gyde Hansen, Andrew Chesterman and Heidrun Gerzymisch-Arbogast. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 83-105. https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.80.08pym
Reithofer, Karin. 2010. «English as a Lingua Franca vs. Interpreting: Battleground or Peaceful Coexistence?» The Interpreters' Newsletter 15: 143-157.
Ruiz Rosendo, Lucía and Marie Diur. 2017. «Employability in the United Nations: An Empirical Analysis of Interpreter Training and the LCE». The Interpreter and Translator Trainer 11(2-3): 223-237. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399X.2017.1344921
Sabatini, Elisabetta. 2000. «Listening comprehension, shadowing and simultaneous interpreting of two «non-standard» English speeches». Interpreting 5 (1): 25-48. https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.5.1.03sab
Seleskovitch, Danica. 1965. «Colloque sur l'enseignement de l'interprétation». Geneva: AIIC (Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conference).
Seleskovitch, Danica and Marianne Lederer. 1984. Interpréter pour traduire. Paris: Didier Érudition.
Shlesinger, Miriam. 2003. «Effects of presentation rate on working memory in simultaneous interpreting». The Interpretes' Newsletter 12: 37-49.
Sunnari, Marianna. 1995. «Processing strategies in simultaneous interpreting (SI): «Saying it all» vs. synthesis». In Topics in interpreting research, ed. by Jorma Tommola. Turku: University of Turku, 109-121.
United Nations. 1980. «Other Administrative and Budgetary Questions». In The Yearbook of the United Nations, ed. by United Nations, Volume 34, 1220-1247. New York: United Nations. Accessed February 15 2015. http://cdn.un.org/unyearbook/yun/chapter_pdf/1980YUN/1980_P1 _SEC5_CH3.pdf
United Nations. 2015. «United Nations Careers». Accessed August 25 2015. https://careers.un.org/
Ruiz Rosendo, L., & Diur, M. (2017). Admission exams in international organisations: The United Nations’ Language Competitive Examination (LCE). CLINA Revista Interdisciplinaria De Traducción Interpretación Y Comunicación Intercultural, 3(2), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.14201/clina2017323352
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