How interpreters juggle two languages at once - Ewandro Magalhaes

Summary

The video script recounts the misinterpretation of Khrushchev's 1956 statement, which escalated Cold War tensions, highlighting the importance of accurate translation. It explains the evolution of interpretation methods, from consecutive to simultaneous, and the rigorous training interpreters undergo to master language nuances. The script emphasizes the challenges interpreters face, their strategies to maintain precision under pressure, and the collaborative nature of their work to prevent miscommunication with potentially dire consequences.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Khrushchev's 1956 statement 'My vas pokhoronim!' was mistranslated as 'We will bury you!', causing significant Cold War tension.
• 🌐 The true meaning of Khrushchev's words was that communism would outlast capitalism, a less threatening perspective.
• 🔍 The misinterpretation of Khrushchev's speech highlights the importance of accurate translation in international relations.
• 📚 Interpreters play a crucial role in overcoming language barriers and ensuring clear communication between different cultures.
• 🎧 The development of simultaneous interpretation after World War II revolutionized the way interpreters work, allowing for real-time translation.
• 👥 Interpreters undergo rigorous training, typically for two years, to expand their vocabulary and master the necessary skills for conference interpreting.
• 🎓 Interpreters learn to shadow speakers, paraphrase, and adjust their style, gradually building neural pathways for quick and accurate translation.
• 🔑 They develop techniques to manage speed, terminology, and accents, including using acronyms, generic terms, and referring to visual aids.
• 🤯 Interpreters must remain composed under pressure, often translating for large audiences in high-stakes settings like the UN General Assembly.
• 📝 Preparation is key for interpreters, who build glossaries, read extensively on topics, and review previous talks to manage the unpredictability of speeches.
• 👭 Interpreters typically work in pairs, with one translating and the other providing support, switching roles every 30 minutes to maintain concentration.
• ⚠️ The complexity of language and the potential for misinterpretation can have serious consequences, as noted by Margaret Atwood: 'War is what happens when language fails.'

Q & A

What did Nikita Khrushchev's original statement mean in the context of the 1956 diplomatic reception?

Khrushchev's original statement 'My vas pokhoronim' should have been interpreted as 'We will live to see you buried,' implying that Communism would outlast Capitalism, rather than a direct threat to bury the Western Bloc.

How did the literal translation of Khrushchev's words impact the Cold War tensions?

The literal translation 'We will bury you' was perceived as a direct threat, which heightened the Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the US, potentially setting back East/West relations by a decade.

Why is accurate translation crucial in diplomatic contexts?

Accurate translation is crucial because misinterpretations can lead to severe misunderstandings and escalate tensions, as was the case with Khrushchev's statement, which could have led to catastrophic consequences.

What is the difference between consecutive and simultaneous interpretation?

Consecutive interpretation involves pauses for the interpreter to translate, while simultaneous interpretation allows the interpreter to translate instantly into a microphone as the speaker continues, without pauses.

How long does it typically take to train a conference interpreter?

It takes about two years of training for already fluent bilingual professionals to expand their vocabulary and master the necessary skills to become a conference interpreter.

What techniques do interpreters use to handle the challenge of speaking while listening?

Interpreters use techniques such as shadowing, where they repeat a speaker's words in the same language to practice speaking while listening, and gradually move on to paraphrasing and making stylistic adjustments.

What strategies do interpreters employ to keep up with the speed of speech?

Interpreters use strategies like resorting to acronyms for long names, choosing generic terms over specific ones, referring to visual aids, and leaving a term in the original language while searching for the most accurate equivalent.

How do interpreters maintain their composure in high-pressure situations?

Interpreters maintain composure by preparing thoroughly for assignments, building glossaries, reading extensively about the subject matter, reviewing previous talks, and working in pairs to provide support and share the intense concentration required for simultaneous interpretation.

What is the role of the second interpreter in a pair during simultaneous interpretation?

The second interpreter in a pair provides support by locating documents, looking up words, tracking down pertinent information, and giving the active interpreter a break every 30 minutes to maintain concentration.

Why is collaboration important for interpreters during simultaneous interpretation?

Collaboration is important because simultaneous interpretation requires intense concentration, and working in pairs allows for role-switching every 30 minutes, ensuring that both interpreters can maintain high levels of accuracy and performance.

What did Margaret Atwood mean by 'War is what happens when language fails.' in the context of interpretation?

Margaret Atwood's quote emphasizes the importance of accurate language translation in preventing conflicts. For conference interpreters, it serves as a reminder of their critical role in ensuring that language does not fail, thus avoiding potential misunderstandings that could lead to war.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Cold War Misinterpretation: Khrushchev's Controversial Statement

The paragraph discusses a pivotal moment in the Cold War when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's statement, 'My vas pokhoronim!', was mistranslated as 'We will bury you!', causing significant alarm in the Western world. The misinterpretation was later clarified to mean 'We will live to see you buried,' indicating that Communism would outlast Capitalism, which was less threatening. This incident highlights the importance of accurate translation and the potential for miscommunication to escalate global tensions.

Keywords

💡Diplomatic reception

A diplomatic reception is a formal event where diplomats and other high-ranking officials gather for networking and discussions. In the video's context, it is the setting where Khrushchev made his infamous statement, highlighting the importance of such events in shaping international relations.

💡Nikita Khrushchev

Nikita Khrushchev was a Soviet politician who led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. His role is central to the video's narrative as his statement at a diplomatic reception became a pivotal moment in Cold War history, illustrating the power of words in political discourse.

💡Cold War

The Cold War refers to the period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, after World War II. The video discusses how Khrushchev's statement intensified the tensions of this era, emphasizing the impact of language on global politics.

💡Interpreter

An interpreter is a professional who translates spoken language from one to another, often in real-time. The video emphasizes the critical role interpreters play in international communication, especially in avoiding misinterpretations that could escalate conflicts.

💡Consecutive interpretation

Consecutive interpretation is a method where the interpreter waits for the speaker to pause before translating. The video mentions this as a historical practice, contrasting it with the simultaneous interpretation that became prevalent post-World War II.

💡Simultaneous interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation allows for the translation of a speaker's words as they are being spoken, without pauses. The video describes this as a system developed post-World War II, which has become essential for real-time communication in international settings.

💡Bilingual professionals

Bilingual professionals are individuals who have fluency in two languages. The video notes that becoming a conference interpreter requires not just bilingualism but also specialized training to handle the complexities of real-time translation.

💡Shadowing

Shadowing is a training technique where interpreters repeat a speaker's words in the same language to practice listening and speaking simultaneously. The video uses this term to illustrate the rigorous training process interpreters undergo.

💡Glossaries

Glossaries are specialized vocabularies or lists of terms in a particular subject area. Interpreters, as mentioned in the video, prepare glossaries in advance to ensure accurate translation of technical or specialized terms.

💡Aplomb

Aplomb refers to confidence and composure, especially in difficult situations. The video describes how interpreters must maintain their aplomb despite the unpredictable nature of live translation and the high-pressure environments they work in.

💡Collaboration

Collaboration is the act of working together, especially in a coordinated effort. The video highlights the importance of collaboration between interpreters, as they support each other during simultaneous interpretation sessions.

💡Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is a renowned Canadian author known for her insightful commentary on social and political issues. The video quotes her to underscore the gravity of language failures in communication, especially in the context of war and peace.

Highlights

In 1956, Khrushchev's statement 'My vas pokhoronim!' was mistranslated as 'We will bury you!', causing significant tension during the Cold War.

The intended meaning of Khrushchev's words was 'We will live to see you buried', suggesting communism would outlast capitalism, which was less threatening.

The mistranslation of Khrushchev's words is believed to have set East/West relations back by a decade.

Interpreters play a crucial role in overcoming language barriers and preventing miscommunication in international relations.

Interpretation methods evolved from consecutive to simultaneous with the advent of radio technology post-World War II.

Simultaneous interpretation allows for real-time translation without pauses, enhancing the audience's experience.

Becoming a conference interpreter requires about two years of training for fluent bilingual professionals.

Interpreter training includes shadowing speakers and paraphrasing to develop the skill of speaking while listening.

Interpreters master a range of techniques to manage speed, terminology, and accents in real-time translation.

Strategies such as using acronyms, generic terms, and visual aids help interpreters cope with complex translation tasks.

Interpreters must remain composed and adapt quickly to unexpected statements or 'curveballs' during speeches.

Interpreters often work in high-pressure environments like the UN General Assembly, requiring emotional control.

Preparation for assignments includes building glossaries, extensive reading, and reviewing previous talks.

Interpreters work in pairs, with one translating and the other providing support, switching roles every 30 minutes.

The collaboration between interpreters is key to the success of simultaneous interpretation.

Language complexity and the potential for miscommunication can have severe consequences, as noted by Margaret Atwood.

Conference interpreters are acutely aware of the importance of accurate translation to prevent conflicts.

Transcripts

In 1956, during a diplomatic reception in Moscow,

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev told Western Bloc ambassadors,

"My vas pokhoronim!"

His interpreter rendered that into English as,

"We will bury you!"

This statement sent shockwaves through the Western world,

heightening the tension between the Soviet Union and the US

who were in the thick of the Cold War.

Some believe this incident alone set East/West relations back a decade.

As it turns out, Khrushchev's remark was translated a bit too literally.

Given the context, his words should have been rendered as,

"We will live to see you buried,"

meaning that Communism would outlast Capitalism,

a less threatening comment.

Though the intended meaning was eventually clarified,

the initial impact of Khrushchev's apparent words

put the world on a path that could have led to nuclear armageddon.

So now, given the complexities of language and cultural exchange,

how does this sort of thing not happen all the time?

Much of the answer lies with the skill and training of interpreters

to overcome language barriers.

For most of history, interpretation was mainly done consecutively,

with speakers and interpreters making pauses to allow each other to speak.

But after the advent of radio technology,

a new simultaneous interpretations system was developed in the wake of World War II.

In the simultaneous mode

interpreters instantaneously translate a speaker's words

into a microphone while he speaks.

Without pauses, those in the audience can choose the language

in which they want to follow.

On the surface, it all looks seamless,

but behind the scenes,

human interpreters work incessantly

to ensure every idea gets across as intended.

And that is no easy task.

It takes about two years of training for already fluent bilingual professionals

to expand their vocabulary and master the skills necessary

to become a conference interpreter.

To get used to the unnatural task of speaking while they listen,

students shadow speakers

and repeat their every word exactly as heard in the same language.

In time, they begin to paraphrase what is said,

making stylistic adjustments as they go.

At some point, a second language is introduced.

Practicing in this way creates new neural pathways in the interpreter's brain,

and the constant effort of reformulation gradually becomes second nature.

Over time and through much hard work,

the interpreter masters a vast array of tricks to keep up with speed,

deal with challenging terminology,

and handle a multitude of foreign accents.

They may resort to acronyms to shorten long names,

choose generic terms over specific,

or refer to slides and other visual aides.

They can even leave a term in the original language,

while they search for the most accurate equivalent.

Interpreters are also skilled at keeping aplomb in the face of chaos.

Remember, they have no control over who is going to say what,

or how articulate the speaker will sound.

A curveball can be thrown at any time.

Also, they often perform to thousands of people

and in very intimidating settings,

like the UN General Assembly.

To keep their emotions in check,

they carefully prepare for an assignment,

building glossaries in advance,

reading voraciously about the subject matter,

and reviewing previous talks on the topic.

Finally, interpreters work in pairs.

While one colleague is busy translating incoming speeches in real time,

the other gives support by locating documents,

looking up words,

and tracking down pertinent information.

Because simultaneous interpretation requires intense concentration,

every 30 minutes, the pair switches roles.

Success is heavily dependent on skillful collaboration.

Language is complex,

and when abstract or nuanced concepts get lost in translation,

the consequences may be catastrophic.

As Margaret Atwood famously noted, "War is what happens when language fails."

Conference interpreters of all people are aware of that

and work diligently behind the scenes to make sure it never does.