Conference interpreting in general and simultaneous interpreting in particular are practice-based activities. In training future interpreters, conference interpreter trainers rely heavily on practical exercises that enable students to apply the skills they previously learnt and acquired in class in interpreting situations. For various reasons, the latter, however, may not be as realistic as a simulated conference, thereby preventing students from fully experiencing the atmosphere of real-life conference interpreting. This study begins with the hypothesis that mock conferences such as Model United Nations (MUN) conferences are effective in the training of postgraduate student interpreters in simultaneous interpreting. To examine this hypothesis, and present an alternative view if possible, the researcher observes postgraduate students in the MA Applied Language Studies (option: Translation and Interpreting) at the University of Pretoria performing in the simultaneous interpreting mode during a Model United Nations conference organised by the University‘s United Nations Association. Using a setting such as this, which simulates United Nations General Assembly or Security Council conferences, the researcher observes the students‘ performances and the delegates‘ reactions and analyses trainees‘ perceptions regarding the opportunity to use their skills set in a more realistic environment. / Mini-dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Modern European Languages / MA / Unrestricted

New technologies, more specifically, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), are today indispensable in all professions. It is undeniable, however, that some professions have been affected to a greater extent than others. This study describes ICTs used in conference interpreting, in both professional and educational settings. It also records the interpreters' and interpreter trainers' perceptions of ICTs, especially in terms of improving the quality of their performance and their professionalism. The data has been collected through two global surveys, both conducted mainly through questionnaires and personal interviews, and triangulated with in situ observations. As to the results of the research, it was found that variation in use was not always due to generational or regional differences as had been expected. Conference interpreter trainers, on their part, are identifying different ways to overcome budgetary restrictions to allow students to learn about ICTs in order to better prepare them for the labor market. / Las nuevas tecnologías, especialmente las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TICs), son actualmente un componente indispensable de todas las profesiones. Sin embargo, es innegable que hay profesiones que han resultado más beneficiadas por las TICs que otras. La presente investigación describe las TICs utilizadas en la interpretación de conferencias, tanto en el ámbito profesional como en el formativo. Registra asimismo la percepción y actitud de los intérpretes y de los formadores de intérpretes de conferencia hacia las TICs, en cuanto a mejorar la calidad de su desempeño y su profesionalismo. Para recoger la información, se llevaron a cabo dos encuestas a nivel global por medio de cuestionarios, complementadas con una serie de entrevistas y observaciones.En cuanto a los resultados de la investigación, se encontró que la variación en el uso no era siempre resultado de diferencias generacionales o regionales. Los formadores de intérpretes de conferencia, por su parte, están encontrando nuevas formas de superar las restricciones presupuestales para que sus estudiantes aprendan sobre el uso de las TICs, con el objeto de prepararlos mejor para su inserción en el mercado laboral.