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2.4.3 Complex noun phrases 
Complex noun phrases (NPs) are common in English but exist in every language 
in the world and generally consist of a head, normally a noun, and of elements that 
determine and optionally modify the head or complement another element of the 
phrase. Here are some examples: 
(1) expensive houses (modifier + head) 
(2) houses downtown (head + modifier) 
(3) expensive houses downtown (modifier + noun + modifier) 
Complex noun phrases can be potentially difficult for interpreters in simultaneous 
interpreting (Barbafina, 2003; Ghiselli, 2018) as a series of words that go together 
can overload the interpreter’s working memory. Ghiselli’s study (2018), based on 
professional conference interpreting data, shows that the most common 
interpreting strategies to cope with complex NPs are complete and correct 
translations and generalisations. 
Therefore, the translation of complex noun phrases is challenging and special 
attention in training and practice of simultaneous interpreting is recommended. For 
example, the control of Ear-Voice-Span (EVS) is a crucial issue (Ghiselli, 2018). 
Van Dam (1989) describes a set of beginner exercises which include distance 
exercises to avoid tailgating the speaker and keeping the optimum start-up 
distance, which corresponds to approximately one meaning unit behind the 
speaker at the beginning of each new sentence. EVS has to vary during the task 
and a balance should be found between understanding the message before 
speaking and not overloading working memory. Another strategy that might be 
useful in the case of complex noun phrases is compression or condensing 
(Bartlomiejczyk, 2006; Kader & Seubert, 2015). Compression means summarizing 
a longer fragment with a shorter phrase, which is supposed to convey the same 
meaning, but expressed in a more concise and general way.

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Teaching simultaneous interpreting 
 
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