A Day in the LIfe of a Translator or Interpreter

American Translators Association

30 Sept 201902:00

Summary

TLDRThis script celebrates International Translation Day, highlighting the vital role translators and interpreters play in the global economy. It showcases various professionals at work: Gaku, translating subtitles; Maria, creating brochures for Spanish tourists; John, editing legal contracts; and interpreters like Wayon, Annette, Gene, and Sarah, who facilitate communication in hospitals, international conferences, and courtrooms. The script emphasizes the importance of these 'bridges' between languages and cultures, with a warm appreciation for their unseen yet impactful contributions.

Takeaways

🌐 International Translation Day celebrates the work of translators and interpreters who are vital to the global economy.
📝 Translators work with written content, adapting it from one language to another, often unseen but essential for global communication.
🎥 Gaku, an English to Japanese translator, illustrates the role of translators in creating subtitles for television shows.
📚 Maria, translating a brochure for a Scottish art museum, shows how translators cater to the needs of specific audiences, such as tourists.
📖 John's work on editing German to English translations of legal contracts demonstrates the importance of accuracy in translation for business and legal matters.
🏥 Wayon, an Indonesian interpreter at a hospital, highlights the crucial role interpreters play in healthcare, ensuring clear communication for patients.
🗣️ Annette and Gene, as simultaneous interpreters at the European Union headquarters, show the real-time translation skills needed for high-level international meetings.
👩‍⚖️ Sarah, a court interpreter, underscores the critical function of interpreters in the legal system, facilitating communication for witnesses and defendants.
🌉 Both translators and interpreters act as bridges connecting different languages and cultures, highlighting their indispensable role in our interconnected world.
💼 The script showcases a variety of professional settings where translation and interpretation services are required, from entertainment to legal and medical fields.
🎉 The video script concludes with a note of appreciation for the work of translators and interpreters and an invitation for viewers to learn more about their daily contributions.

Q & A

What is the significance of International Translation Day?
-International Translation Day is a celebration of the role translators and interpreters play in powering the global economy and facilitating communication across different languages and cultures.
What is the primary task of a translator?
-A translator's primary task is to adapt written content from one language to another, ensuring that the meaning and context are accurately conveyed.
Can you describe a typical day for Gaku, an English to Japanese translator?
-Gaku's typical day involves working on Japanese subtitles for various shows, such as the latest episode of a popular series, ensuring that the content is accurately translated for a Japanese-speaking audience.
What is Maria's role in translation?
-Maria is an English to Spanish translator who works on translating materials such as brochures for institutions like a Scottish art museum, targeting Spanish-speaking tourists.
What type of document is John currently working on?
-John, who often edits German to English translations, is currently working on a legal contract for a German bank that has branches in the US.
What is the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
-A translator works with written text, converting it from one language to another, while an interpreter works with spoken or sign language, facilitating real-time communication between people who speak different languages.
Can you provide an example of Wayon's work as an interpreter?
-Wayon is an Indonesian interpreter at a hospital in Bali, where he helps communicate between medical staff and patients who do not speak the same language, such as an American who broke his leg while rock climbing.
What is the role of simultaneous interpreters like Annette and Gene?
-Annette and Gene are simultaneous interpreters who provide real-time translation of speeches, such as interpreting a French delegate's speech at the European Union headquarters.
What is Sarah's job as a Somalian court interpreter?
-Sarah works at a courthouse in Minnesota, interpreting for witnesses to crimes, ensuring that the legal proceedings are accessible and understandable for those who speak Somali.
How are translators and interpreters described in the script?
-In the script, translators and interpreters are likened to bridges that connect different languages and cultures, highlighting their crucial role in fostering understanding and communication.
What does the script convey about the passion of translators and interpreters for their jobs?
-The script conveys that translators and interpreters love their jobs and are excited to share glimpses of their daily work, indicating their dedication and enthusiasm for their profession.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Celebrating International Translation Day

On International Translation Day, we recognize the vital role translators and interpreters play in powering the global economy. Although their work often goes unseen, these professionals facilitate communication across languages and cultures. Translators focus on written content, adapting texts from one language to another, while interpreters work with spoken or sign language to help people communicate in real-time.

👨‍💻 A Day in the Life of a Translator

Meet Gaku, an English to Japanese translator who works on Japanese subtitles for TV shows. His current project involves translating the latest episode of a popular series. We also follow Maria, an English to Spanish translator, as she works on a brochure for a Scottish art museum aimed at Spanish-speaking tourists. Lastly, John, who edits German to English translations, is currently working on a legal contract for a German bank operating in the US.

🗣️ A Day in the Life of an Interpreter

Interpreters facilitate real-time communication using spoken or sign language. Wayon, an Indonesian interpreter at a hospital in Bali, is helping an American patient who broke his leg. Annette and Gene, simultaneous interpreters, are translating a French delegate's speech at the European Union headquarters. Sarah, a Somali court interpreter, is at a courthouse in Minnesota interpreting for a witness to a crime.

🌉 Bridging Languages and Cultures

Translators and interpreters act as bridges connecting different languages and cultures. Their work enables clear communication and understanding across linguistic barriers. They are passionate about their jobs and are delighted to share glimpses of their daily lives, showcasing their crucial role in the global community.

🎥 Conclusion and Gratitude

The video concludes with gratitude for tuning in and a reminder of the important work translators and interpreters do every day. Their dedication and skills ensure effective communication in an increasingly interconnected world.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡International Translation Day

International Translation Day is celebrated on September 30th to recognize the work of translators and interpreters around the world. This day highlights the crucial role these professionals play in facilitating communication across different languages, which is a key theme of the video. The video starts by acknowledging this day, setting the stage for celebrating the contributions of translators and interpreters.

💡Translators

Translators work with written content, converting text from one language to another. They enable cross-cultural communication by adapting materials for different linguistic audiences. In the video, translators like Gaku, Maria, and John are shown working on diverse tasks, such as subtitling TV shows, translating brochures, and editing legal documents.

💡Interpreters

Interpreters work with spoken or sign language to facilitate real-time communication between people who speak different languages. They are vital in settings such as hospitals, courts, and international organizations. The video features interpreters like Wayon, Annette, Gene, and Sarah, demonstrating their roles in healthcare, political, and legal contexts.

💡Subtitles

Subtitles are textual versions of the spoken dialogue in media, translated into different languages to reach a wider audience. Gaku, an English to Japanese translator, is shown working on subtitles for a TV show, highlighting how translators make entertainment accessible to non-native speakers.

💡Brochure

A brochure is a printed informational document often used for marketing purposes. Translating brochures helps businesses reach diverse linguistic audiences. Maria is depicted translating a brochure for a Scottish art museum, emphasizing the role of translators in the tourism and cultural sectors.

💡Legal Contract

Legal contracts are formal agreements that require precise translation to ensure clarity and enforceability in different languages. John is shown editing a German to English translation of a legal contract, highlighting the importance of accuracy in legal translations to maintain the integrity of legal agreements.

💡Simultaneous Interpreters

Simultaneous interpreters translate spoken language in real-time, often during conferences or official meetings. They require quick thinking and fluency in both languages. Annette and Gene are simultaneous interpreters working at the European Union headquarters, showcasing their role in facilitating international diplomacy.

💡Court Interpreter

Court interpreters provide language interpretation during legal proceedings to ensure non-English-speaking individuals understand the proceedings and can participate fully. Sarah is a court interpreter working in Minnesota, interpreting for a witness, underscoring the significance of interpreters in the justice system.

💡Hospital Interpreter

Hospital interpreters assist non-English-speaking patients in communicating with healthcare providers, ensuring they receive proper medical care. Wayon, an interpreter in a Bali hospital, helps an American patient, illustrating the critical role interpreters play in healthcare.

💡Global Communication

Global communication refers to the exchange of information across international boundaries, facilitated by translators and interpreters. The video underscores how these professionals act as bridges, enabling understanding and cooperation between people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Highlights

Hello and happy International Translation Day.

Translators and interpreters power the global economy.

Translators work with the written word, adapting written content from one language to another.

A typical day for a translator: Gaku is an English to Japanese translator working on Japanese subtitles for a show.

Maria is an English to Spanish translator working on a brochure for a Scottish art museum.

John edits German to English translations and is currently working on a legal contract for a German bank.

A typical day for an interpreter: Interpreters work with spoken or sign language to help people communicate.

Wayon is an Indonesian interpreter at a hospital in Bali, interpreting for an American who broke his leg.

Annette and Jean are simultaneous interpreters interpreting a French delegate's speech at the European Union headquarters.

Sarah is a Somalian court interpreter working at a courthouse in Minnesota, interpreting for a witness to a crime.

Translators and interpreters act as bridges that connect different languages and cultures.

Both professions are crucial for global communication.

The passion and dedication of translators and interpreters are evident in their work.

Translators and interpreters play a key role behind the scenes.

Thank you for tuning in to learn about the daily lives of translators and interpreters.