Speaking the wrong language

This can be a challenge for any language speaker, especially if it takes place during a live interpretation. Often when you have a knowledge of several languages you know the right word, but it comes out in the wrong language! This is why when interpreting, you have to have full concentration.

Dealing with various accents and dialects

One of the hardest tasks for an interpreter can be understanding different accents and dialects. Speaking and being fluent in a language is one thing, but dealing with different cultural dialects and phrases is another. It is not unheard of for a speaker to be misunderstood, just because of their regional accent.

Translating everything the client says

The point of being an interpreter is that they are a bridge between two languages. It is important that the translator is as invisible as possible. They need to translate exactly what is being said, even the uncomfortable discussions, and always remaining neutral. It can be quite a challenging task.

Having a great memory capacity

An interpreter must be confident with a great memory capacity, especially if they are dealing with simultaneous interpreting. They have to understand and memorise the source message perfectly in order to translate it entirely in the target language.

Watching a translated film

Watching films in a foreign language should be a source of enjoyment however for multilingual people, it can often be a nightmare with incorrect subtitles. This is not only an issue for translators but for anyone with a knowledge of both languages!

 

Being an interpreter can be a tough job and can cause a lot of challenges. What difficulties do you face as an interpreter?

Forgetting the right word at the wrong time

It is important that an interpreter knows exactly the right words to use during an interpretation. But sometimes, depending on your working environment or personal reasons like illness or strain, your brain can react slower meaning that sometimes you forget the words you need.

Using the right accent

While dealing with two completely different languages, it could become a real challenge to maintain the right accent for the different languages. Each language has their natural sound but when interpreting, it is not uncommon for them to get mixed up.

Telling jokes in a foreign language

When it comes to telling jokes, well… the common problem is that the joke only works in the original language. Many jokes play on cultural backgrounds and environments so don’t work when translated and result in some blank looking faces.

Translating idioms into other languages

Idioms are used in everyday language but cannot be translated easily into another language. For example “Tourner autour du pot” is literally translated to “To turn around the vase” but its true meaning in English is to “beat about the bush”. When translating idioms, it’s important to translate the meaning, as it is not always appropriate to translate the actual wording.

Hearing people saying that being an interpreter is easy

It is always unpleasant to hear that what you do is “easy” but especially for interpreters. Many people seem to think that if you are fluent in any language that you can become a translator or an interpreter just by magic. But translation is not just about language, it is also about understanding the relevant society and cultural background.

 

 

Any interpreter would recognise at least one of these challenges and confirm that being an interpreter is a tough job and requires a lot of time and dedication, but is a worthwhile and exciting career.