Interpreters at work

Summary

The transcript details the journey of an individual who transitioned from a career in industrial engineering to becoming a professional interpreter. This person studied at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and worked in multinational companies before deciding to pursue their passion for interpretation. They furthered their education at New York University, focusing on court interpretation, and then worked freelance for over a decade. The speaker highlights the importance of curiosity and the private market's role in honing their skills. They discuss the challenges and rewards of interpreting in various languages and cultures, especially within the United Nations, where they served as the president of the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities. The speaker emphasizes the significance of interpretation in facilitating communication between diverse cultures and the importance of remaining calm and composed under pressure. They also touch upon the role of an interpreter in field missions, where they must accurately and objectively convey information from interviews with victims and local authorities. The transcript concludes with the speaker's reflections on the need for continuous learning and adaptability in the field of interpretation, drawing parallels to the Olympic Games and the importance of multilateralism in international diplomacy.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker has a background in industrial engineering and has worked in multinational companies in Colombia and the United States before transitioning to a career as an interpreter.
• 📚 They pursued further studies in court interpretation at New York University and have been freelancing for over a dozen years, which they consider an excellent learning experience.
• 🌟 The private market offers a wide range of opportunities for interpreters, requiring a curious mindset and the ability to work with various languages and cultures.
• 🎓 The speaker emphasizes the importance of being well-prepared, curious, and studious, as well as maintaining calm and sanity when interpreting complex topics.
• 🌍 The role of an interpreter in international organizations like the United Nations involves working with people from all over the world and interpreting in multiple languages simultaneously.
• 🤝 The speaker is the president of a committee on the rights of persons with disabilities and a native speaker, highlighting the fundamental role of interpretation in the exercise of their presidency.
• 👥 The speaker discusses the challenges of interpreting in high-stress environments, such as when dealing with authorities, military, police, and during visits to prisons and police stations.
• 📈 The speaker views their work as a team sport, emphasizing the camaraderie and solidarity among colleagues, which is crucial in the UN environment.
• 🔍 The main challenge for the speaker is managing stress, which they approach by transforming potentially paralyzing and negative energy into something positive and stimulating.
• 💡 Interpreters must be prepared to understand and convey the message accurately, maintaining a posture of constant learning and openness to new things.
• 🏆 The speaker compares their work to the importance of the Olympic Games, as they deal with events of global significance and are motivated to train and improve continuously.

Q & A

What was the speaker's educational background before becoming an interpreter?

The speaker studied Industrial Engineering at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá.

Why did the speaker decide to leave their job in multinational companies to become an interpreter?

The speaker always wanted to be an interpreter and reached a point where they decided not to wait until retirement to do what they truly enjoyed.

Which university did the speaker attend to study court interpretation?

The speaker studied court interpretation at the University of New York.

What does the speaker believe is essential for a private market interpreter?

The speaker believes that being essentially curious of spirit is essential for a private market interpreter.

What attracted the speaker to the role of an interpreter at the United Nations?

The speaker was attracted by the diversity of people from all countries, the opportunity to work in different languages simultaneously, and the challenge of negotiating various topics across vastly different cultures.

What role does the interpretation service play in the speaker's role as president of the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities?

The interpretation service is fundamental for the good exercise of the presidency, as it allows for clear communication in meetings and interactive sessions.

What does the speaker believe is the main challenge for an interpreter at the United Nations?

The main challenge is managing stress, as the work involves high-speed discourse and requires a different approach to handle the pressure.

How does the speaker describe the role of an interpreter in the field when visiting potential human rights violations?

The interpreter is expected to translate and interpret interviews with victims and local authorities faithfully and objectively, becoming a part of the mission team.

What are the expectations from an interpreter when accompanying United Nations officials on field visits?

The interpreter is expected to provide accurate and objective translations during interviews and interactions with various authorities, including ministers of justice, attorneys general, military members, and police.

What does the speaker emphasize about the need for an interpreter to maintain a certain posture?

The speaker emphasizes that an interpreter must maintain a posture of constant learning, openness to new things, and a level of enthusiasm about their work.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to being an effective communicator as an interpreter?

The key is to be inquisitive, maintain calmness, and have a curious and studious nature while also being able to convey the message with the same force and expression as the person who is speaking.

How does the speaker view the role of an interpreter in terms of team dynamics?

The speaker views the role as not an individual sport but a team sport, where interpreters work with colleagues who have a sense of solidarity and work together in camaraderie.