The ABC of an interpreter

The art of interpreting is a very nice one. Being an interpreter requires a great responsibility, because you have the mission of transmitting the thoughts, words, emotions of another person that speaks a foreign language. Sometimes, it might seem easy, but remember time may be very difficult. If you are not sure you will handle being in front of a crowd of people, interpreting, and better wait a little more time. Use this time to study hard and get the confidence you will need on the stage.

Below you can find some great advices, not theory, but practice. I invite you to read them and remember, for sure if you are interested in interpreting. Because I practice interpreting both, Romanian into English and vice versa, I will share with you the things I discovered during this years of interpreting. I hope they help you and please confirm that with a comment if they do. Also you are opened to ask questions and I promise to answer them as best as I can.

1. You need to know English well. By knowing English, I mean both vocabulary and grammar. There are people that say, “I do not need grammar, the only thing I need is vocabulary.” We cannot separate grammar from the vocabulary; they both go together the same way butter goes on the bread. And, trust me, your auditorium will observe the way you handle both vocabulary and grammar from the first minute of your translation. That’s why I am sure you look forward to create a good impression, both on the public and on the speaker.
2. Experience has its word to say. Try to speak English as often as you can. If this is not possible, a very good exercise is to watch movies, news in English, or listen to songs. Sharing with you a hint, usually the way I do it is I listen to the song fist and try to understand all the words. Then I look for the lyrics of the words and see which I had wrong and which I had right. This is a great exercise to learn new words, too.
3. You might confront yourself with the risk of concentrating too much on grammar and by doing that you lose the idea you were responsible to transmit. Try to find your own balance regarding this.
4. Another good exercise you can try is always to translate everything you listen to in your mind, (if you listen to Romanian – translate into English, if you listen to English – translate into Romania). For example, when I am in church I always translate in my mind the sermon that I am listening to. By doing that I see which things I know, and which things I do not. Also, it helps me improve at the level of synonyms.
5. Do not limit yourself to the same vocabulary you have known all your life, be opened to always learn from native speakers, expressions, idioms and spoken language. Use every opportunity to ask them the things you do not understand.
6. When you are not sure you understood the idea correctly, better ask the speaker. As an example: “Excuse me, could you repeat the idea again”, or “Use some other words, please.” Please, do not do the same mistakes I was doing when I started to interpret. Do not lose yourself, because you did not know a word, all our life we learn and there is no possibility for us to know everything in a foreign language. Still, it is worth trying!!!
7. In case you do a mistake, don’t let it overwhelm you. Smile and remember that everybody listens to your words, but more than that they read your face. Get the courage to apologize if you translated something wrong and correct your mistake by translating right the idea.

Next week I will share with you some advices of written interpreting, which are the things you need to know and which are the tricks that will help you in the art of interpreting.