Translator / Interpreter
Working as both a translator and interpreter gives me amazing and exciting opportunities in a range of cultural and social situations, from formal, academic interpreting in France at a literary colloquium, to acting as a less formal interpreter for the GB cross-country team or travel groups. I have also translated and interpreted in the professional footballing world (French players) and translated business documents for various companies, both in France and the UK.
Such ventures enable me to network, build lasting friendships, or work in different social situations. The privilege to work with well-known individuals (sporting, political, business-oriented), as well as companies or individuals, requiring linguistic knowledge, cultural sensitivity, or simply competent communication skills is fulfilling and rewarding.
I believe the ability for creativity, as well as a genuine desire to convey an accurate and precise ‘message’, is important; I want to be true to both my provider and my target ‘audience’, whether reader or listener.
Communication challenges will always be encountered. This could be due to rendering an idea or concept in the original language and remaining ‘faithful’ in the target translation (poetry translation is especially tricky). The Balzac novel La Rabouilleuse (the fish-tickler) is translated as The Black Sheep in the Penguin translation edition by Donald Adamson. More amusing is observing a ‘clumsy’ translation gaffe that evokes either a smirk or grimace from the receiver.
How about the following?
Je regarde Bleu Pierre et Coronation Rue (harmless)
Je suis chaud(e)/froid(e) (this could be a relationship disaster!)
Est-ce qu’il y a des préservatifs dans la confiture ? (interesting culinary addition)
In essence, translating and interpreting are exacting and rigorous skills, despite the advent of chatGPT AI; I am able to deliver compassion, understanding, facial expressions, empathy, helpfulness … a human touch, to foster connectivity.
ЯK – September 2023
Fun ‘bite’
L’un dit
L’autre m’a redit
Tu fais maigre, dis !
Je dis
Ce que mon ventre dit
Et ça me dit, le plus souvent
Dis, mange !
