http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/lifestyle/education&careers/2010-01/496748.html
- Source: Global Times
- [01:16 January 07 2010]
- Comments
By Paul Morris
A bi-product of globalization, the rise of international institutions and China's economic prominence has ushered in an increased demand for skilled communicators capable of translating and interpreting accurately and e ciently between Chinese and other languages. A report by the US Department of Labor suggested that the demand for interpreters is expected to increase by 24 percent by 2018 from 2008, a much faster rate than average.
The terms "translating" and "interpreting" are often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same. Translators work with the written word and interpreters with the spoken. While translators have the luxury of contemplation and, if necessary, a dictionary, interpreters are expected to understand all the intricacies and complexities of the language and immediately convey them to a waiting audience.
Many who are lured to interpreting see the work as "easy" money (the best in the business can earn 2,000 yuan an hour), but the circle of quality practitioners is small, and reputation counts for everything. "The reason I am paid to study is that there is a lack of quality western, Chinese interpreters," says Jonathan Rechtman, a practicing interpreter and second year interpretation student at the University for International Business and Economics in Beijing. "The circle of good people is very limited. You want to make sure you're very good before you start or you might kill your career."
Many foreigners choose to study Chinese for the potential vocational advantages, but very few will ever learn to discuss sub-prime mortgages or the fi ner details of Chinese economic policy, vocabulary and concepts that are often required to be an interpreter. "Sixty to eighty percent of the subject matter is trade, the climate and the economy," points out Rechtman.
Even for profi cient interpreters, China's economy has developed so quickly that the terminology is still playing catch up to structures or practices already in place. "The most di cult thing is that what you need to do is interpret culture, not just necessarily language," explains Alice Chen, a PR account manager and interpreter at Pegasus Communications in Beijing. "It isn't about moving words across verbatim, you should always translate the idea."
Generally, there are two types of interpreting: simultaneous and consecutive. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter translates once the speaker has fi nished. The interpreter often stands or sits by the native speaker, jotting notes, and when the speaker pauses, renders that section of the speech into the target language. Simultaneous translation, perhaps the more di cult of the two, requires the interpreter to continuously translate the message into the target language, as quickly as possible. They normally work from a sound proof booth, speaking into a microphone connected to headphones worn by the audience as they watch the speaker.
There is an intense level of pressure when interpreting not to make oral faux pas that could potentially lead to misunderstanding or worse, o™ ending politicians, monarchs or business leaders. "It is often a thankless job. People will only notice the interpreter if he or she messes up," says Rechtman. "Additionally, the burn-out rate is high. Interpreters' short-term memories are shot to shit. They are mentally and physically a mess."
Yet one of the most striking things you get from speaking with interpreters is the sense that their profession is more an artistic endeavor or calling than simply a means of employment. Their eyes light up when they begin to talk about "crafting" and knowing that they have done justice to the words being spoken.
There is also an element of performance; the adrenaline that comes with this particular kind of pressure seems to drive interpreters. "Interpreting attracts many who are fascinated with language, but not just loving language, rather, loving the communication of messages rendered in one language using another language," explains Chow Wan Ee, a freelance professional translator.
Among online discussion forums are nuggets of advice for training or newly practicing interpreters. One of the most commonly cited is to make sure to pick up a newspaper on the way to work, as you don't know what references the speaker will throw into his or her speech. Interpreting is so much about trying to be at least one step ahead while making sure to remain in the present and remember the immediate past. "I do not take on jobs when the subject matter is not something that I like or that I am not confi dent of doing a good job with," says Chow. "We have a responsibility to both deliver the speaker's message as accurately as possible, and ensure the audience receives the speaker's message as comfortably as possible."
Simultaneous shorthand
Simultaneous interpreters use personally crafted shorthand when working. Jonathan Rechtman jotted the notes seen here while interpreting at a recent conference. The printed text to the right is a "translation" of these notes.
"One of the biggest issues faced at Copenhagen was the question of who should take responsibility for cutting global emissions."
"Developing countries note that the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are almost entirely the result of hundreds of years of emissions by developed countries. They call for more support from developed nations in the form of funds and technology to help developing nations cut their CO2 emissions and better adapt to the e. ects of global climate change."
"Developed nations accept responsibility for their emissions over the course of recent history, but point out that the largest emissions growth rates today are in emerging economies such as China and India, and call for those countries to adopt binding targets for emissions reductions."
コメント