Aptitude testing over the years

Testing aptitude for intepreting is a daunting task. For over 50 years now researchers, training institutions and interpreting service providers have been engaged in major efforts to find efficient and reliable procedures to test suitable candidates for interpreting training programs and for the profession. The paper draws a preliminary distinction between testing methods to detect the ability to perform as an interpreter and the ability to learn to become an interpreter, depending on the institutional mission of the aptitude test-giver, with a view to hightlight the main peculiar features accordingly. The paper aims at dispelling the mith that interpreters are born and not made, based on an in-depth review of the whole literature published on the subject starting from the early 60s. In particular, the author shows how the candidate’s ideal profile as suggested by interpreting researchers, trainers, conference interpreters, professional associations over almost 50 years has not changed. This holds true for both. spoken language interpreters and sign language interpreters. Subsequently, the paper focuses on what to measure and how in would-be interpreters. This section critically describes admission testing procedures across a wide range of interpreting training academic institutions. Finally, the papers presents the most accredited aptitude testing projects and dwells on the few aptitude tests developed sofar which are correlated with interpreter students’ school efficiency, among which the one developed by the author.