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.

Outlines

00:00

😀 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.

05:02

😃 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.

10:03

😟 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.

15:03

🧐 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.

20:05

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Keywords

💡Interpretation

Interpretation refers to the process of translating spoken language from one language to another in real-time. It is a core theme in the video, as the speaker discusses their career as an interpreter, particularly in the context of the United Nations. The importance of interpretation is highlighted in facilitating communication between different cultures and languages during international negotiations and meetings.

💡Curiosity

Curiosity is described as an essential trait for an interpreter. It is the desire to learn and understand more about the world, which is vital when dealing with diverse topics and languages. In the script, the speaker mentions that being curious helps them to be a better interpreter, as they need to be knowledgeable about various subjects to accurately convey messages.

💡Stress Management

Stress management is the ability to handle pressure or tension in a way that allows for effective performance. The video emphasizes that interpreters must manage stress because they work in high-stakes environments where accuracy and composure are crucial. The speaker talks about converting potentially paralyzing stress into a positive and stimulating force.

💡United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and promote social progress, better living standards, and human rights. The speaker discusses their work as an interpreter within the UN, highlighting the organization's role in bringing together people from different countries and cultures to address global issues.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled. The video script mentions the speaker's role in compiling information on possible human rights violations, emphasizing the importance of accurate interpretation in documenting and addressing these issues. The interpreter's role is crucial in conveying the experiences and testimonies of victims and authorities alike.

💡Neutrality

Neutrality is the state of not favoring or supporting any particular side in a conflict or dispute. As a representative of the United Nations, the speaker mentions the importance of maintaining neutrality and not taking sides, which is key to the credibility and effectiveness of their work in the field. The interpreter's role is to faithfully and objectively communicate messages without personal bias.

💡Teamwork

Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal. The speaker describes their work as part of a team, highlighting the sense of solidarity and camaraderie among colleagues. In the context of the video, teamwork is essential for the successful execution of missions and the interpretation of complex and sensitive information.

💡Cultural Communication

Cultural communication is the exchange of information, ideas, and beliefs between different cultures. The video emphasizes the interpreter's role in facilitating this exchange, particularly in the context of negotiations and discussions involving individuals from various cultural backgrounds. The speaker finds the communication between vastly different cultures to be a fascinating aspect of their work.

💡Continuous Learning

Continuous learning is the ongoing process of acquiring new knowledge and skills. The speaker stresses the importance of being open to learning new things and maintaining a level of enthusiasm about their work. As an interpreter, one must be prepared to study and receive new topics, demonstrating a curious and studious nature.

💡Diplomacy

Diplomacy is the practice of conducting negotiations, maintaining relations, and handling issues between countries in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. The video discusses the speaker's involvement in multilateral diplomacy, where they interpret for various international entities, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Diplomacy is portrayed as a complex field that requires skilled communication and understanding.

💡Disability Rights

Disability rights refer to the rights of individuals with disabilities to be free from discrimination and to have access to the same opportunities and resources as others. The speaker mentions their role as the president of the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of interpretation services in ensuring the effective exercise of their duties and in advocating for the rights of this community.

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

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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

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25

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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

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u

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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

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[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

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wadar

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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

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