Improvisation exercise (criticism)

In today’s post, I’d like to look at different ways to express criticism.

There is a plethora of verbs and expressions in English to express the idea of criticism.

Activity 1

I’ve created a word search for you. Your task is to look for 10 words that mean ‘criticise’ or ‘rebuke’. If you get stuck, you can click on the yellow ‘show word’ button.

Click on the image to begin.

Activity 2

This is a word matching game. The idea is to click on the words that belong to the same group.

Inevitably, there is an element of subjectivity here, but I’ve created four groups for you:

  • neutral register words or phrases meaning ‘criticise’
  • expressions meaning ‘criticise heavily’ (high register
  • expressions meaning ‘scold’
  • lower register expressions meaning ‘criticise’
Click on the image to begin.

Vocabulary mining

To find useful expressions in this area, all you need to do is look for articles in the press about a controversial new policy or decision by the government. Here are a few paragraphs taken from press articles.

“The speed of the plans, even with confirmed daily UK cases above 108,000 on Wednesday, and nearly 19,000 Covid patients in hospital, has brought speculation that a main motivation has been to provide a politically embattled Johnson with some good news for his mutinous MPs.”

“Downing Street has come out in strong support of the embattled Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, after a backlash to the government’s decision to extend her time in office.”

“Allegra Stratton arrives at a moment when the government is besieged by restive backbenchers sceptical about Covid restrictions, and facing fierce criticism over the way they are being communicated.”

The embattled Financial Services Authority last night promised a “root and branch” review into its handling of the Northern Rock crisis as it emerged that the Bank of England had provided a £3bn emergency line of credit to help the Newcastle-based bank over the past week.

After coming under criticism earlier in the week, pressure on the Bank eased yesterday following the explanation provided for its actions by governor Mervyn King.

The Treasury and the Bank closed ranks behind Sir John Gieve, the deputy governor responsible for financial stability and a non-executive board member of the FSA.”

Improvisation exercise

Here’s a fun improvisation exercise for you. You will need to pick some kind of controversy based on current affairs. Choose a person or organisation being criticised, and the person or organisation doing the criticising.

Pick a personChoose a verb: ‘is being…’by whom?This person/organisation is…Pick an adjectiveThe result is that this person is…
e.g. the Prime Ministeradmonished
rebuked
censured
upbraided
berated
crucified
pilloried
excoriated
flayed
lambasted
condemned
reprimanded
your choice!finding fault with
taking to task
coming down hard on
severely criticising
beleaguered
embattled
hard-pressed
on the back foot
floundering
under fire
in trouble
rattled
OR (lower register)
skewered
dissed
panned
blasted
clobbered
slammed
OR (lower register)in a pickle
up the creek without a paddle

Now create a sentence or paragraph along this model:

The Prime Minister has been slammed by his backbenchers for his latest proposal to remove all coronavirus restrictions. MPs have come down hard on Boris Johnson. The embattled Prime MInister is now floundering, and is hard pressed to come up with a justification given the lack of scientific backing for the proposal.

Make it as elaborate as you like!

How to prep 3 speeches in 30 minutes

I’ve written quite a lot about speech preparation as a useful exercise, both for interpreters and for trainers.

In this post, for example, I’ve talked about the benefits of speech prep, and in this one, I’ve outlined how I go about preparing a speech quickly and efficiently.

Today, I want to talk about how you can create an outline for three different types of speech very quickly – i.e., how to extract the maximum amount of juice from your hard work! If you’re a trainer, for instance, you don’t want to spend 2 hours on a single speech. The process I will describe will allow you prepare three speeches in one fell swoop – or even more!

The idea is to use the same research and background knowledge to create a simultaneous, a consecutive with notes, and a consecutive without notes on the same subject. But read on, and you’ll see that you can take things even further and prepare several short speeches on different subjects, or approach a subject from different angles.

Step 1: create an outline for a consecutive speech

For more detail on how to pick a suitable subject and research it, refer to my previous post.

In brief, I chose bedbugs as my topic, because I heard a piece about the recent outbreak on a Radio 4 programme called ‘PM’, and the very next day, an interpreting colleague mentioned she had been evacuated from a Paris-Strasbourg train because of bedbugs.

I spent 10 minutes or so reading this article in The Guardian, and this one in the Independent, to get some ideas.

Then I came up with this outline:

I often start with an outline for a consecutive with notes, because that’s the type of speech I prepare more frequently, but you could also start with a consecutive without notes, as I’ve done here.

Consecutive without notes is by definition a short exercise without too many demands on the interpreter’s memory, i.e. few figures, dates, or names, so it’s easy to come up with an outline. You can generally only cover two or three points, subsumed under one or two main ideas, in a consecutive without notes.

Here, I’ve giv aden a personal/visual introduction, briefly explained what’s happening in France and why it’s important, then turned to whether the UK should worry, and how you can get rid of bedbugs.

With 10 minutes of research and a few minutes listening to the radio in the car, we now have an outline for a consec without notes.

How to take it further so that we can create several more speeches based on the same material?

Expanding a short speech into a longer one

On this occasion, since I had started with a consec without notes, I looked for ways to expand it into a consecutive with notes.

There are many options for introducing more challenges into a speech. You could add:

  • figures
  • more detail or secondary information
  • someone else’s point of view
  • a personal opinion
  • interesting language (e.g. images, idioms)
  • a quotation
  • a digression
  • a whole other idea or argument

On this occasion, I decided to expand the speech as follows:

  • give two figures (one from Rentokil, the pest control agency, and the other referring to the number of households in France that had a bedbug infestation)
  • use some more interesting descriptive language about bedbugs, and to describe Paris and London
  • talk more about what political action is being taken in France; this was an opportunity to include several points of view
  • give a bit of history about bedbugs, to introduce a date, and a technical term (DDT, the name of a pesticide)
  • add a little more detail here and there

Expanding a consecutive into a simultaneous

When I prepare consecutive speeches, they typically last 2-5 minutes (consec without notes), 5-7 minutes (consec with notes), or 10-12 minutes (simultaneous). That’s because I work for the EU institutions and train interpreters who want to work for the EU, and the EU accreditation test uses speeches of that length.

Filling 10-12 minutes of time on a specific subject is quite different from preparing a 3 minute consec without notes. You need more facts and figures, so you can expand more on your ideas. Or you need to structure your speech so that it contains more arguments/ideas (e.g. someone else’s point of view, for instance).

Generally speaking, this requires a bit more research. On this occasion, I had everything I needed from the two articles and radio programme. All I had to do was organise the material in a way that suited me; I added whole extra sections (“has there really been an increase in the number of bedbugs?” and “what risk do they pose?”), as well as changing the conclusion.

I’ve put my three speech outlines in a table, so you can compare them and see how I’ve added information to turn the original short speech into a longer consec with notes and then a simultaneous.

In the first column (my original outline for a consec without notes), I’ve put the links between ideas in bold.

In the second and third columns, I’ve put extra information in bold.

CONSEC WITHOUT NOTESCONSEC WITH NOTESSIMULTANEOUS
Intro: colleague travelling by train from Paris to Strasbourg is evacuated bcs of bedbugsIntro: colleague travelling by train from Paris to Strasbourg is evacuated bcs of bedbugsIntro: colleague travelling by train from Paris to Strasbourg is evacuated bcs of bedbugs
We used to encounter bedbugs in dodgy hostels when backpacking around the world; now they’re everywhere in ParisWe used to encounter bedbugs in budget hostels when backpacking around the world during gap year – red bites on arms and legs; now they’re everywhere in Paris/FranceWe used to encounter bedbugs in budget hostels when backpacking around the world during gap year – red bites on arms and legs; now they’re everywhere in Paris/France
Or at least they’re everywhere on social media! Examples: Fabric seats on trainsCinemasCharles de Gaulle airport-> widespread panic, people standingOr at least they’re everywhere on French social media! Photos, videos of nasty little critters:
– Metro – people standing
– Cinemas
– Charles de Gaulle airport-> widespread panic & paranoia
Or at least they’re everywhere on French social media! Photos, videos of nasty little critters: Metro – people standingCinemasCharles de Gaulle airport Figs: Anses (French national health body) says 11% households infested over past 5 years. -> widespread panic & paranoia
Why is this important? Bcs France is hosting the Olympic Games next year, so must be seen to be doing somethingWhy is this important? Bcs France is hosting the Olympic Games next year, so must be seen to be doing something (image)Why is this important? Bcs France is hosting the Olympic Games next year, so must be seen to be doing something (image)
 Political action:
– Paris City Hall says invasion must be tackled, has written to PM & is calling for a dedicated national taskforce
Transport Minister has summoned train and bus operators to talk about how to prevent bedbugs multiplying on seats
Political action:
– Paris City Hall says invasion must be tackled, has written to PM & is calling for a dedicated national task force
– Transport Minister has summoned train and bus operators to talk about how to prevent bedbugs multiplying on seats
 History: we thought bedbugs disappeared in 1950s bcs of chemical treatments e.g. DDT, but recent resurgence.  History: we thought bedbugs (mattresses, clothes, luggage; come out at night to feed on human blood) disappeared in 1950s bcs of chemical treatments e.g. DDT, but recent resurgence.  
   
Should UK worry that bedbugs will cross the Channel (Eurostar)? Bedbugs can survive on seats & British people on hols can bring back bedbugs in suitcaseOther source: second hand furniture on resale sites e.g. Ebay and Fbook marketplaceShould people worry that bedbugs will cross the Channel from the City of Love to the Big Smoke? Yes:
Bedbug lifespan is 4-6 months, can survive for a year without eating, so could get into Eurostar seats or dirty suitcase
– Other source of bedbugs in UK: second hand furniture on resale sites e.g. Ebay and Fbook marketplace
Should people worry that bedbugs will cross the Channel from the City of Love to the Big Smoke? Yes:
Bedbug lifespan is 4-6 months, can survive for a year without eating, so could get into Eurostar seats or dirty suitcase
– Other source of bedbugs in UK: second hand furniture on resale sites e.g. Ebay and Fbook marketplace
How to protect yourself? If travelling, use luggage rack rather than putting case on bed and unpackingOnce home, put clothes through hot wash and dry at high tempSecond hand furniture: use steam cleanerIf necessary, use e.g. Rentokil to kill all bedbugsHow to protect yourself? If travelling, use luggage rack rather than putting case on bed and unpackingOnce home, put clothes through hot wash and dry at high tempSecond hand furniture: use steam cleaner If necessary, use e.g. Rentokil to kill all bedbugsHow to protect yourself? If travelling, use luggage rack rather than putting case on bed and unpackingOnce home, put clothes through hot wash and dry at high tempSecond hand furniture: use steam cleaner If necessary, use e.g. Rentokil to kill all bedbugs
Rentokil says there has been a 65% increase, year-on-year, in infestationsRentokil says there has been a 65% increase, year-on-year, in infestations But this is not a good solution for low income households bcs high cost
But most experts are saying it’s not the number of bedbugs that’s increasing, but number of sightings (social media).  Are there really more bedbugs in France or more sightings? Social media can make it appear that there’s a massive problemAre there really more bedbugs in France or more sightings? Social media can make it appear that there’s a massive problem
Figs: Anses (French national health body) says 11% households infested over past 5 years. Is that really an increase? I’m not sure.Is that really an increase?
Experts say there’s always an increase in after July/Aug holidays. People bring them home in their luggage.
But it does seem as if there is a resurgence, for several reasons:
– Globalisation: container trade, tourism, immigration
– Ban on DDT, so not eliminated by chemicals
– Survivors are more resistant
– Reduction in number of cockroaches (revolting, I think), which are bedbug predators
– [BTW] for once, it’s not climate change – bedbugs are domesticated and follow humans, but global warming hasn’t changed habitat
Unfortunately, that can generate panic and cause mental health problems (paranoia about bugs in mattress -> insomnia, anxiety, depression)What IS increasing: mental health problems, e.g. insomnia, anxiety, depression.What risk do they pose?
– They don’t carry transmissible diseases
– The bites don’t last.
– They’re embarrassing (yuck factor) and inconvenient (cinema, travel)
– I think BIGGEST RISK: mental health problems, e.g. insomnia, anxiety, depression
CONCLUSION: like headlice, they’re an inconvenience rather than health risk – easily dealt with though chemical resistance is more of a challenge.
Experts tell us that we should target superspreaders, often ill, poor, marginalised. Whole other can of worms.

Here’s another table about the same three speeches. Instead of writing out the whole content of the speech, I’ve highlighted the additions and stated (in bold) what kind of additional challenge this represents for the interpreter.

CONSEC WITHOUT NOTESCONSEC WITH NOTES – additions & type of challengeSIMULTANEOUS
Intro: colleague travelling by train from Paris to Strasbourg is evacuated bcs of bedbugs  
We used to encounter bedbugs in dodgy hostels when backpacking around the world; now they’re everywhere in Parisred bites on arms and legs > secondary information 
Or at least they’re everywhere on social media! Examples: Fabric seats on trainsCinemasCharles de Gaulle airport-> widespread panic, people standingPhotos, videos > secondary information  of nasty little critters >  use of language   
Why is this important? Bcs France is hosting the Olympic Games next year, so must be seen to be doing something  
 Political action:
– Paris City Hall says invasion must be tackled, has written to PM & is calling for a dedicated national taskforce
– Transport Minister has summoned train and bus operators to talk about how to prevent bedbugs multiplying on seats   Different viewpoints
 
 History: we thought bedbugs disappeared in 1950s bcs of chemical treatments > date  
 e.g. DDT, but recent resurgence. > technical detail (subject knowledge)    
 (mattresses, clothes, luggage; come out at night to feed on human blood)
> secondary information/lists  
   
Should UK worry that bedbugs will cross the Channel (Eurostar)? Bedbugs can survive on seats & British people on hols can bring back bedbugs in suitcaseOther source: second hand furniture on resale sites e.g. Ebay and Fbook marketplace the City of Love,  the Big Smoke > use of language, imagery
Bedbug lifespan is 4-6 months, can survive for a year without eating > numbers  
 
How to protect yourself? If travelling, use luggage rack rather than putting case on bed and unpackingOnce home, put clothes through hot wash and dry at high tempSecond hand furniture: use steam cleanerIf necessary, use e.g. Rentokil to kill all bedbugs  
Rentokil says there has been a 65% increase, year-on-year, in infestations >figureBut this is not a good solution for low income households bcs high cost
> Extra argument
But most experts are saying it’s not the number of bedbugs that’s increasing, but number of sightings (social media).    
Figs: Anses (French national health body) says 11% households infested over past 5 years. > figure
Is that really an increase? I’m not sure. > personal opinion
Is that really an increase? Experts say there’s always an increase in after July/Aug holidays. People bring them home in their luggage.
But it does seem as if there is a resurgence, for several reasons:
Globalisation: container trade, tourism, immigration
Ban on DDT, so not eliminated by chemicals
Survivors are more resistant
Reduction in number of cockroaches (revolting, I think), which are bedbug predators   [BTW] for once, it’s not climate change – bedbugs are domesticated and follow humans, but global warming hasn’t changed habitat  
> extra arguments/list
Unfortunately, that can generate panic and cause mental health problems (paranoia about bugs in mattress -> insomnia, anxiety, depression) What risk do they pose? >whole extra section/argument
They don’t carry transmissible diseases
The bites don’t last
They’re embarrassing (yuck factor) and inconvenient (cinema, travel)extra argument
I think BIGGEST RISK: mental health problems, e.g. insomnia, anxiety, depression > personal opinion
 CONCLUSION: like headlice, they’re an inconvenience rather than health risk – easily dealt with though chemical resistance is more of a challenge.

Experts tell us that we should target superspreaders, often ill, poor, marginalised. > New argument

Whole other can of worms. > Idiom/pun

I hope I’ve illustrated clearly how easy it can be to take two or three sources of information (podcasts, newspaper articles), and turn them into three different speeches in a relatively short space of time.

You can tailor the speech to your students’ or practice partners’ needs, by choosing different challenges to add (e.g. figures, lists, points of view, etc.)

Taking it even further

You could, of course, go even further than this.

The simultaneous outline I’ve created gives me scope for preparing several more speeches in similar, or even quite different, topics.

The easiest type of speech to produce would be consec without notes, since it hardly requires any more research. You can draw on background knowledge to expand the ideas or take them in new directions.

Here are some ways I could repurpose the underlying material in my simultaneous speech to produce several more consec without notes speeches:

A speech about what countries do in the run-up to the Olympics

  • Intro: bedbug problem in France is making headlines. Why? Olympics
  • > City Hall and Macron’s government are suggesting action (bcs of their image)
  • Other countries have done similar things in the run-up to Olympics, e.g. Athens rounding up stray dogs and getting homeless people off the streets
  • This is like only tidying your house when people are coming round for dinner! Better to do little and often,
  • Concl: countries should have appropriate policies that are not just predicated on public image

A speech about whether there has really been a resurgence of bedbugs

  • Intro: current bedbug problem in France. Is this really an increase in numbers?
  • No: there is always an increase after the summer holidays. This is just a normal cycle, but we’re talking more about it bcs of social media
  • Yes: globalisation; ban on DDT; resistant bugs; fewer cockroaches > there are, in fact, more bedbugs
  • Concl: take precautions

A speech about how social media can create panic

  • Intro: bedbug problem in France
  • use of social media causes panic > mental health problems
  • similar examples: COVID vaccine
  • Concl: social media can be beneficial (e.g. sharing useful info) but also exacerbate the problem

One of these speeches is about bedbugs, but the other two use the bedbug example to illustrate a different point. It only took a few moments of brainstorming to create an outline for the speeches.

Conclusion

I imagine this post will be most useful to interpreter trainers. I hope I’ve shown clearly how you can extract the maximum possible benefit from the time and effort you spend in writing speeches for your students.

With a simple starting point and 15 minutes or so of research, you could create an outline for a simultaneous, a consec with notes, and 4 different consec without notes in the space of an hour or so.

What are your top tips for being efficient when preparing speeches for interpreting students?

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