Elena S. Bell
T&I adjunct
- Office
- 499 Pierce St, McCone Building
- Tel
- (707) 616-4094
- bell@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Online by appointment
Elena S. Bell, an adjunct professor of translation and interpretation, is an MIIS alumna. She began her interpreting and translating career nearly 30 years ago, working for a wide variety of clients at conferences, seminars, negotiations, workshops, training sessions, court hearings and trials, interviews, and cultural and community events. A significant portion of her assignments dealt with mass media. In the early 2000s, she worked as an interpreter and translator for Internews International. In 2016–2024, she went on reporting tours for the U. S. Department of State Washington Foreign Press Center. In 2025, she helped The New York Times conduct interviews for a publication and podcast focusing on the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration policies in the United States.
As a contract interpreter for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Language Services since 1998, she worked on various projects, including the International Leadership Visitors Program, the International Women of Courage Award, the Anti-Corruption Champions Award, Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, and more. This work gave her the rare opportunity to observe people-to-people international relations through U.S. public diplomacy programs for Russia and other former Soviet states. Elena is also an experienced court interpreter who is certified in her home state of Oregon and, through reciprocity, in several other states.
Her translation work included translating and adapting the K–12 curriculum for the Portland Public Schools Language Immersion Program (2014–2024). She especially enjoyed translating children’s poetry, transcribing, translating and dubbing educational videos into Russian.
Elena is grateful to her alma mater and all her MIIS professors who helped her to launch an exciting career. Her career took her not only to the U. S. Department of State interpreting booths, but also to the bottom of a coalmine, the top of a windmill, aboard a border security helicopter, inside a giant church organ, and everything in between.
Elena’s return to MIIS is an opportunity to share with her students the experience and knowledge she gained in the field, teach them the “tricks of the trade,” and prepare them for the challenges and rewards of real-life interpreting in various settings.
Courses Taught
TIRU 8635
Current
Adv Intrp I Consc into English
Course Description
Advanced Interpretation I Consecutive into English
This is the first of two complementary courses designed to bring interpretation knowledge and skills up to the professional level. Students are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the first-year interpretation courses to produce interpretations that would be of acceptable quality in a professional setting. Content on a wide range of topics and current events is interpreted, with emphasis placed on business, economics, science, technology, and other topics congruent with current market demand for interpretation in the language combination in question. Course assignments include readings and research on class topics, presentations, practice, graded exercises, and peer and self-assessment.
In consecutive interpretation, students prepare by researching topics before each session, with emphasis on sequential logic in notetaking and accurate terminology in delivery. Students continue to hone their skills by diagnosing and correcting problems at all stages from listening through delivery, while progressing to increasingly difficult and challenging material. In simultaneous interpretation, the techniques learned in the previous semester are consolidated, which enables students to polish their delivery and language register. Focuses on nuance of meaning, accuracy of interpretation, research and preparation for conferences, and glossary development. Special attention is given to maintaining concentration while under significant psychological stress. Students learn to recognize SL discourse patterns and render them effectively in TL.
At the end of the course, students are able to interpret difficult passages that are derived from professional settings. In consecutive, students are able to interpret passages up to several paragraphs in length. In simultaneous interpretation, students are able to interpret passages that are between fifteen and twenty minutes in length. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.
Terms Taught
TIRU 8636
Current
Adv Intrp I Consc into Russian
Course Description
Advanced Interpretation I Consecutive into Russian
This is the first of two complementary courses designed to bring interpretation knowledge and skills up to the professional level. Students are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the first-year interpretation courses to produce interpretations that would be of acceptable quality in a professional setting. Content on a wide range of topics and current events is interpreted, with emphasis placed on business, economics, science, technology, and other topics congruent with current market demand for interpretation in the language combination in question. Course assignments include readings and research on class topics, presentations, practice, graded exercises, and peer and self-assessment.
In consecutive interpretation, students prepare by researching topics before each session, with emphasis on sequential logic in notetaking and accurate terminology in delivery. Students continue to hone their skills by diagnosing and correcting problems at all stages from listening through delivery, while progressing to increasingly difficult and challenging material. In simultaneous interpretation, the techniques learned in the previous semester are consolidated, which enables students to polish their delivery and language register. Focuses on nuance of meaning, accuracy of interpretation, research and preparation for conferences, and glossary development. Special attention is given to maintaining concentration while under significant psychological stress. Students learn to recognize SL discourse patterns and render them effectively in TL.
At the end of the course, students are able to interpret difficult passages that are derived from professional settings. In consecutive, students are able to interpret passages up to several paragraphs in length. In simultaneous interpretation, students are able to interpret passages that are between fifteen and twenty minutes in length. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.
Terms Taught
TIRU 8637
Current
Adv Intrp I Simul into English
Course Description
Advanced Interpretation I Simultaneous into English
This is the first of two complementary courses designed to bring interpretation knowledge and skills up to the professional level. Students are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the first-year interpretation courses to produce interpretations that would be of acceptable quality in a professional setting. Content on a wide range of topics and current events is interpreted, with emphasis placed on business, economics, science, technology, and other topics congruent with current market demand for interpretation in the language combination in question. Course assignments include readings and research on class topics, presentations, practice, graded exercises, and peer and self-assessment.
In consecutive interpretation, students prepare by researching topics before each session, with emphasis on sequential logic in notetaking and accurate terminology in delivery. Students continue to hone their skills by diagnosing and correcting problems at all stages from listening through delivery, while progressing to increasingly difficult and challenging material. In simultaneous interpretation, the techniques learned in the previous semester are consolidated, which enables students to polish their delivery and language register. Focuses on nuance of meaning, accuracy of interpretation, research and preparation for conferences, and glossary development. Special attention is given to maintaining concentration while under significant psychological stress. Students learn to recognize SL discourse patterns and render them effectively in TL.
At the end of the course, students are able to interpret difficult passages that are derived from professional settings. In consecutive, students are able to interpret passages up to several paragraphs in length. In simultaneous interpretation, students are able to interpret passages that are between fifteen and twenty minutes in length. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.
Terms Taught
TIRU 8645
Upcoming
Adv Intrp II-Consc to English
Course Description
The course is designed to continue building students’ consecutive interpretation skills for the Russian into English combination with the goal of preparing for Professional Exams. Heavy emphasis is placed on learning to interpret high register political texts from Russian into English as may be done in the context of major international organizations. Topics include: current political events, international organizations, diplomatic protocol, nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, resolution of political and economic conflicts. Students are expected to be able to interpret in a variety of simulated professional situations.
Final semester grade is calculated based on the midterm exam (30%), the semester exam (30%) and classroom performance (40%).
Terms Taught
TIRU 8646
Upcoming
Adv Intrp II-Consc to Russian
Course Description
Advanced Interpretation II – Consecutive and Simultaneous
This course is the counterpart to Advanced Interpretation I. Students are expected to interpret speeches of considerable difficulty and complexity and to cope with the types of challenges that are likely to be encountered in professional settings. Provides final preparation for the Professional Examinations.
In consecutive interpretation, emphasis is placed on both science and technology and political rhetoric, requiring particular attention to nuance and tone. Students learn the vernacular of political speeches and other challenging material while sharpening listening, processing, and notetaking functions.
In simultaneous interpretation, advanced instruction is given for difficult speeches. Emphasizes following the logic of complex scientific and technical discourse, and remaining faithful to the style and tone of persuasive political discourse. Students are also introduced to simultaneous interpretation with text. They learn how to draw upon outlines, transcripts, slides and transparencies, and other written materials to enhance the accuracy and completeness of their interpretation. Emphasis is placed on text preparation strategies and efficient use of textual materials while on the air.
Content on a wide range of topics and current events is interpreted, with emphasis placed on topics congruent with current market demand for interpretation in the relevant language combination(s). Course assignments include readings and research on class topics, presentations, practice, graded exercises, and peer and self-assessment.
At the end of the course, students are expected to interpret difficult speeches in professional settings. In consecutive, students are called upon to interpret passages that are several paragraphs in length. In simultaneous, students are able to interpret passages that are between fifteen and twenty minutes in length. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.
Course prerequisites: Advanced Interpretation I or the equivalent
Terms Taught
TIRU 8647
Upcoming
Adv Intrp II-Siml into English
Course Description
The course is designed to continue building students’ simultaneous interpretation skills for the Russian into English combination with the goal of preparing for Professional Exams. Heavy emphasis is placed on learning to interpret high register political texts from Russian into English as may be done in the context of major international organizations. Topics include: current political events, international organizations, diplomatic protocol, nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, resolution of political and economic conflicts. Students are expected to be able to interpret in a variety of simulated professional situations. Special attention is paid to relay interpretation (i.e. working both as a pivot interpreter and a user of relay). Various dialects and/or accents of the Russian language are introduced to improve source language comprehension. Source texts with a higher rate of delivery are regularly used.
Final semester grade is calculated based on the midterm exam (30%), the semester exam (30%) and classroom performance (40%).
Terms Taught
TIRU 8648
Upcoming
Adv Intrp II-Siml into Russian
Course Description
Advanced Interpretation II – Consecutive and Simultaneous
This course is the counterpart to Advanced Interpretation I. Students are expected to interpret speeches of considerable difficulty and complexity and to cope with the types of challenges that are likely to be encountered in professional settings. Provides final preparation for the Professional Examinations.
In consecutive interpretation, emphasis is placed on both science and technology and political rhetoric, requiring particular attention to nuance and tone. Students learn the vernacular of political speeches and other challenging material while sharpening listening, processing, and notetaking functions.
In simultaneous interpretation, advanced instruction is given for difficult speeches. Emphasizes following the logic of complex scientific and technical discourse, and remaining faithful to the style and tone of persuasive political discourse. Students are also introduced to simultaneous interpretation with text. They learn how to draw upon outlines, transcripts, slides and transparencies, and other written materials to enhance the accuracy and completeness of their interpretation. Emphasis is placed on text preparation strategies and efficient use of textual materials while on the air.
Content on a wide range of topics and current events is interpreted, with emphasis placed on topics congruent with current market demand for interpretation in the relevant language combination(s). Course assignments include readings and research on class topics, presentations, practice, graded exercises, and peer and self-assessment.
At the end of the course, students are expected to interpret difficult speeches in professional settings. In consecutive, students are called upon to interpret passages that are several paragraphs in length. In simultaneous, students are able to interpret passages that are between fifteen and twenty minutes in length. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.
Course prerequisites: Advanced Interpretation I or the equivalent
Terms Taught
Areas of Interest
Elena holds interpreter professionalism in high esteem and advocates for the respect and appreciation of the profession.
She is a PhD Candidate at the Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle. Her research focuses on Indigenous documentary film and video as a cross–border self–representation, communication, and educational tool as well as on the role of public and Indigenous diplomacy in the process of building international relations. A Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellow (Inuktitut, Arctic Region), she conducts comparative analysis of the Canadian, Russian, and the U.S. Arctic. Issues of interpreting, translation, and subtitling are naturally of paramount importance to her research.
Programs
Academic Degrees
University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
PhD Candidate, International Studies, in progress
Monterey Institute of International Studies (Monterey, CA)
Master of Arts, Translation and Interpretation Russian <-> English, 1998
Humboldt State University (Arcata, CA)
Master of Arts, Theater Arts (Summa Cum Laude), 1996
Tashkent State Theater and Fine Arts Institute (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
Bachelor of Arts, Theater Arts (Summa Cum Laude), 1988