This year to celebrate International Translation Day we produced a series of This is Interpreting videos.
When people hear the word “interpreter”, most will associate it with a conference booth. But this isn't always the case! Sometimes our work takes us to the fields, as it happened to me when I interpreted for a group of businessmen who were looking to buy some farming equipment. Naturally - as conscientious buyers - they wanted to see this equipment in action. Needless to say, at the end of the working day my business attire had a sprinkle of dust.
We learn a lot through interpreting, and this experience and expertise make us professional. Specialising in legal interpreting opens a whole world of law to us but it doesn't entitle us to give our clients legal advice.
Having said that, it's incredibly important to build rapport with our clients and fit in no matter where we work. I’ve interpreted at marriage ceremonies both in church and register offices and before one interpreting job at a church wedding, I asked the vicar and the clients about my dress code. “Smart casual”, the vicar replied, “just make sure you aren’t confused for a bride!”
Ahead of one assignment at production facilities I was asked by a pharmaceutical company not to wear any make-up at all as this was the company policy. It was one of those occasions when interpreters find themselves working in factories, to interpret for people on a business trip, a training programme or an audit. Either way, provisions need to be made to facilitate work in a potentially noisy environment. And of course, health and safety is a paramount.
Keen to watch the rest of the videos? Follow the link here.
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