An Article on the Profession of Conference Interpretation

I chanced upon an interesting article by Frauke Schäfer published in Die Zeit as part of my translation studies several years ago. A candid account of an interpreter’s troubles in her profession, the writer expresses the challenges and exciting prospects that this line of work offers. 

[Die Zeit, 6th June 1986. https://www.zeit.de/1986/24/dont-think

The Background Story of a Professional Language Translator

The author evinces how her friends found it exciting that she travelled to and explored different destinations several times a week for her work, which from her perspective is a tiring ordeal. She, however, ackonwledges the range of subjects that she gets to listen to and talk about, an intellectually stimulating activity. She also points out the level of responsibility borne by an interpreter, and how communication could break down without her, or if she were unable to perform on any given occasion. 

Discouraging Aspects of the Interpretation Profession

Perhaps the most discouraging aspect of her profession, she says, is when she asks the speakers to give her a manuscript in advance to prepare, and how the speakers claim to have none, only to produce it out of thin air on the day of the conference. At the time of the event, they seem to  have well prepared tomes, from which they rattle off tonnes of words of knowledge. Imagine, she bemoans, if the interpreter were to avenge such treatment, give up or fail in her abilities to deliver!

Attitudes towards Translators & Interpreters

She also laments the almost inhuman  and insensitive attitude that some employers have, and how they treat interpreters like machines. She narrates the incident involving an American speaker, who once asked her and her colleague, not to think but to simply say what he says! Strange of course, that he did not seem to realise that one needs to understand before translating. 

Great Learning in the Translation Field

The author goes on to narrate other interesting learnings and observations about different nations and cultures, of how the Americans and Englishmen like to begin with short anecdotes, while the Germans are usually serious, and want to sound erudite, almost as if they do not want themselves to be understood by the audience without effort. 

Perks of the Conference Translator 

Along with the challenges, there are also many perks, she says. Apart from the travel and the learning opportunities, she enjoys the adulation of her friends and audience. Since work is irregular, she gets adequate time to rest. At the same time, the profession provides wider horizons. One gets to hear and learn about things that one would not ordinarily have the opporunity to. One such topic, she mentions (back in the 1980s) is environmental conservation. Although not much is written and spoken about it, she says, at least it is being thought about! 

Tight Rope Walking in Simultaneous Interpretation & Conference Translation 

Towards the end of the article, Schäfer draws an interesting analogy with tight-rope walking. She says, it is sometimes awe inspiring to think what she does, but thinking is not a luxury she is allowed after all! Just like in tight-rope walking – one may not look down, or think – all one can do is mover forward. Fascinating isn’t it? 

The author has led the reader to effortlessly meander through the various aspects of her profession. From highlighting the rewards to exploring the downsides, enabling the reader to vicariously ride the rollercoaster of her career. The reader gains insights into the cultural, intellectual and touristic experiences of the author. Schäfer interweaves her experiences and comments seamlessly in an anecdotal style. Her grievances are veiled by humour and nonchalance, and make for an interesting read.

Professional translation services especially the orally rendered services have a marked strain on the brain and the person. It is no ordinary feat to listen, process and speak simultaneously in two languages.