Competences of the interpreter

The article describes the practical skills of the interpreter. It reviews necessary professional skills essential for the interpreter. The author describes professional and innate abilities as vital when mastering and improving one’s skills of the simultaneous interpretation: mental alertness, long-term and operational memories, diaphragm breathing, and communication skills. The presentation plays a decisive role in the interpretation, in this regard, the author speaks about the problem of the working tool of the interpreter: voice hygiene. A special place in the article is devoted to the concept of the background knowledge, cultural competence, and their practical significance for the interpreter. The author concludes that range and richness of the background knowledge means more than recent news from media. The article also depicts the grounds of common mistakes in studying interpretation. In conclusion, the author emphasises the necessity of interpreters’ motivation and qualified training that together with personal development and experience of intercultural communication can result in a competent professional interpreter.