Interpreters at work
Summary
TLDRThe 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.
Outlines
😀 Personal Journey to Becoming a UN Interpreter
The speaker shares their background as an industrial engineer who worked for multinational companies in Colombia and the US. However, they always wanted to be an interpreter. At a certain point, they decided to pursue their passion and quit their job to study court interpretation at New York University. They then worked as a freelance interpreter for over a decade, which they found to be an excellent learning experience. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being curious and highlights the unique opportunity to work with people from all over the world and in multiple languages simultaneously.
😃 Role of Interpretation in Bridging Cultural Differences
The speaker discusses the fascinating aspect of an interpreter's job, which is facilitating communication between vastly different cultures. They mention their role as president of the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities and as a native Spanish speaker. The interpretation service is crucial for the effective exercise of their presidency. The speaker also talks about the challenges of communicating in a non-native language, especially on complex topics. They emphasize the importance of the interpretation system in making them feel comfortable and welcomed.
😟 Challenges and Risks of Field Missions
The speaker describes the essential purpose of field visits, which is to gather information on possible human rights violations and abuses. Interpreters are expected to provide accurate and objective translations of interviews with victims and local authorities. The speaker highlights the interpreter's role as an integral part of the mission team. They also share their personal experiences of visiting prisons, police stations, and courthouses, which can be nerve-wracking and risky despite the UN's neutral stance. The speaker emphasizes the need for interpreters to remain calm and composed in such situations.
🧐 Skills and Qualities of a UN Interpreter
The speaker outlines the key attributes of a successful UN interpreter. They must be willing to constantly prepare, study, and adapt to the topics they are presented with. Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge are essential, but maintaining composure and sanity is equally important. The speaker stresses that interpreters should not get lost in the words but rather understand the underlying ideas and messages. They should aim to convey the speaker's intent as accurately and empathetically as possible, like an open envelope, not a sealed one. The speaker also emphasizes the need for interpreters to maintain a posture of lifelong learning and enthusiasm.
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Mindmap
Keywords
💡Interpretation
💡Curiosity
💡Stress Management
💡United Nations
💡Human Rights
💡Neutrality
💡Teamwork
💡Cultural Communication
💡Continuous Learning
💡Diplomacy
💡Disability Rights
Highlights
The speaker transitions from industrial engineering to interpreting, illustrating a dramatic career shift driven by passion.
The diversity of languages and cultures at the United Nations fosters a unique work environment, emphasizing the importance of multilingual communication.
As President of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the speaker emphasizes the crucial role of interpretation services.
The interpreter's role is vital in accurately and objectively translating during field visits involving human rights violations.
The speaker notes the tension and potential dangers faced by UN staff in volatile environments, highlighting the neutrality of the United Nations.
Challenges of UN interpreting include managing high-speed speeches and stress, paralleling the pressures experienced by actors.
Interpreters must continuously learn and prepare for various subjects, maintaining curiosity and calm under pressure.
An interpreter must not only translate words but also grasp and convey the underlying ideas, requiring deep understanding and empathy.
Constant learning and maintaining enthusiasm are crucial for interpreters, equating their preparation to that of athletes in the Olympics.
Working at the UN is likened to being at the heart of history, underscoring the global significance and reach of the organization.
The speaker's journey from multinational corporations in Colombia and the United States to freelancing in New York highlights diverse professional experiences.
Engaging with people from every country and handling technically and politically complex topics enriches the interpreting experience.
The value of team spirit and camaraderie among colleagues at the UN enhances workplace dynamics and effectiveness.
Field visits often involve interactions with high-level officials and sensitive locations, requiring meticulous interpretation.
The ability to switch a negative, paralyzing energy into something positive is a key skill for interpreters, facilitating better communication.
Transcripts
a pesar de laproba
de
We have a permanent stff Which
isl through a comp ex
for with respect allues these are arabic
chinese english french russian and
spanish
9
que yo era ingeniero industrial estudié
ingeniería industrial en la universidad
de los Andes en Bogotá y
trabajé en distintas posiciones en
grandes multinacionales en Colombia y en
Estados
Unidos pero como siempre había querido
ser intérprete llegó un momento en que
dije Bueno no quiero llegar a la
jubilación para hacer lo que de verdad
me gusta y renuncié a mi trabajo
y me metí a estudiar y estudié
interpretación de tribunales en la
universidad de Nueva York j'ai été
freelance pendant une douzaine d'années
alors je pense que a été un excellent
apprentissage pour Moi d'une Part parce
que pourre interpr IL fautre
essentiellement curieux d'esprit or le
marché privé offre une
telle
- 2
ens
25
[Música]
including special
tribunals the International monary fund
and the world
Bank
and though they May Sound so different
Everything I did there has somehow
helped me here help me to add Val anding
more to
theet
em
[Música]
u
[Música]
lo que más me llamó la atención y me
atraía a la vez era el hecho de que
hubiera personas de todos los países del
mundo y el hecho de que se pudiera
trabajar en distintos idiomas
simultáneamente y de que hubiera cultur
tan diametralmente opuestas sentadas
alrededor de una misma mesa Por así
decirlo tratando de negociar toda una
serie de temas a veces son temas
técnicos a veces son temas políticos
pero lo fascinante sobre todo para un
intérprete es precisamente esa
comunicación entre culturas tan
diferentes
[Música]
[Música]
como presidenta del comité sobre los
derechos de las personas con
discapacidad y persona de habla nativa
en español presido El comité en español
por lo tanto el servicio de
interpretación ha sido fundamental para
el buen ejercicio de la
[Música]
presidencia
yo hablo claro en inglés cuando tengo
que tener reuniones cosa interactual
pero nunca ser lo mismo que mi propio
idioma no es lo mismo sobre todo en
temas complejos entonces uno se siente
tan cómoda tan acogida cuando hay el
sistema de interpretación y te
n
je
que c'est pas un Sport individuel mais
un Sport d'équipe c'est quelque chose
qu'on découvre trs rapidement ici l'onu
j'ai la chance aussi d' avec des cges
absolument formidable qui ont justement
ce sens de la solidarité et je pense que
on arrive travailler dans la camaraderie
et dans le Plus
Grand
[Música]
[Música]
ov
eh los el propósito esencial para hacer
una visita en el terreno es justamente
de compilar de de eh de sacar toda la
información que se tiene sobre
alegaciones posibles alegaciones o
posibles violaciones de derechos humanos
y abusos de Derechos
Humanos las expectativas son de que el
intérprete nos traduzca nos interprete
eh fielmente Y objetivamente todas las
las entrevistas que tenemos con las
víctimas y con las autoridades locales y
como funcionario de Naciones
Unidas Esperamos que el intérprete forme
parte de la del grupo que va de la
misión
[Música]
muchas veces está uno con los
presidentes con ministros de Justicia
con
fiscal general de la nación también con
miembros del ejército con la
policía y a partir de ahí muchas veces
se hacen visitas a cárceles a comisarías
de policía calabozos en los
juzgados
[Música]
que situciones que nos han dejado muy
nerviosos donde hemos temido que nos van
a atacar a nosotros personalmente aunque
se supone que Naciones Unidas es neutral
y nosotros no tomamos partido sino que
vamos a
observar
[Música]
[Música]
wf
wadar
F
ID
I would say the main challenge for me is
the increas
je pense que IL y a des difficultés qui
sont in Au fait d' interpr l'onu Gen
d'une Part parce que les discours sonts
souvent l trs grande vitesse ce qui requ
une autre approche Au travail la
difficulté et le terme est bien choisi
c'est justement gérer le Stress IL
s'agit pas de faire disparaitre le
Stress je pense que nous sommes dans un
métier ou le Track exactement comme pour
les acteurs est un facteur important IL
s'agit simplement de changer une énergie
qui peut paralisante et trs négative en
quelque chose de positif et de stimulant
se nota la que colocan los interpr
compris en está
haciendo
cuate sea mucho más interesante para el
que lo está escuchando en distintos
idiomas motiva porque el intérprete
también motiva con con la expresión que
le pone con la fuerza que le pone al
mensaje de la misma manera que lo está
haciendo quien lo lo lo está
pronunciando en
directo but culture inquisitive
Mind des to communicate easily although
you May be se to do J and all to become
accomplished communicat as it You are
supposed to be indeed intell engaged in
the deliber Which
are
100
-
-
ae realmente ser intérprete de Naciones
Unidas yo creo que siempre tiene que
estar
dispuesto a
prepararse a
estudiar y a recibir el tema que le
pongan Hay que ser una persona muy
curiosa muy estudiosa pero a la vez hay
que mantener la calma y hay
mantener una cierta
cordura los nervios lo matan a uno
interpr Ne doit pas se perdre dans les
mots IL doit comprendre les idées et je
pense que dans 99 % des cas on doit
comprendre ce qu'on dit Au moins dans le
cadre d'une mét compréhension nous
sommes vraiment un truchement on doit la
fois dans la mesure du possible et avec
la Plus grande empathie possible essayer
de comprendre le message et la volonté
le message de la personne qui souhaite
communiquer et transmettre cela mais
comme une enveloppe ouverte et pas
fermée donc avoir bien compris le
message l'avoir bien digérer pour le
livrer quelqu'un qui étant le client
mérite
u interpreter has to maintain a posture
of constant learning you have to be Open
to learning New things
curious make sure that you maintain a
Level of enthusiasm About what you do
[Música]
and no es el Campeonato del Barrio
porque nosotros tenemos
acontecimientos que son muy importantes
y que tienen alcance mundial Entonces es
un poco como los Juegos Olímpicos y por
eso yo me siento motivada a entren
constantemente
em du multilatéralisme de la diploma
internationale qu'on se retrouve parfois
projeté comme Au cur de
l'histoire
V
gr
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