The annual UN General Assembly debate taking place at the beginning of each year includes the delivery of a policy address by each of the 191 member states of the United Nations Organization. A policy address is a formal kind of speech that has a political status, because it officially states a position of a member state for the record. State representatives who may deliver a policy address include ambassadors, ministers for foreign affairs, heads of state, or heads of government. UN interpreters who are in charge of delivering the policy address in their target language must pay maximum attention to accuracy.
Interpreting a formal policy address
Moreover, a formal policy address is usually a long speech full of details. Due to time limit constraints, speakers may tend to speak very fast or speed up as the time limit gets nearer. Therefore, the interpreter must watch out for speed and avoid lagging too much behind. An excess of decalage in these cases must be avoided. The topics covered by a policy address can vary, and they are usually referring to the most recent events happening all around the world, therefore a diplomatic interpreter shall be informed of all latest political news, environmental threats, etc. Finally, a formal policy address has a goal in mind, and the mission of the original speaker must be conveyed when interpreting.
Reference: Chapter 11 of Interpretation Techniques and Exercises by James Nolan.
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