Category: For translation makers

I Don’t Like Mornings Either

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Mornings at Translations with AM
I have a list of many interesting and complicated topics I want to write about on this blog, but I haven’t found the time to do so yet. In the meantime, you can have a rather superficial comment on a fleeting perception of mine.

I met a whole bunch of interesting translators at the conference that took place in Christchurch last weekend. It started early in the morning and you could see how many of us there were feeling out of place and put off by the early hours. You could tell we were all part of the same kin.

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NZSTI Conference 2016: Redefining Boundaries-Facing New Challenges

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The New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters is holding its annual conference in Christchurch this year. And it’s been a while! There are three branches in the country: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It’s been some time since the last conference took place in the latter, the city being severely affected by the earthquakes. This conference is, then, a new beginning.

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NAATI Preparation Workshop 2016

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NAATI Preparation Workshop at Victoria University
I spent my (sunny) Saturday morning inside Victoria University’s Language Lab surrounded by other interpreters, going through the AUSIT Code of Ethics and studying for the Paraprofessional and Professional Interpreting examinations offered by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI), the national standards and accreditation body for translators and interpreters in Australia.

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Danes use the same word for “marriage” and “poison”

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Flag of Denmark in front of Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark. Photographed by Niels Bosboom.
Flag of Denmark in front of Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark. Photographed by Niels Bosboom.
Flag of Denmark. Photo: Niels Bosboom

My mate said, and added: “I figured you’d get a kick out of that”. And of course I did!

Some of you might have come across this piece of information while browsing the infinite void that we call “the Internet”. After some research, I found out that the word to express these two meanings in Danish is “gift”, which brings a whole new level of greatness to the situation.

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The Equivalent to Being An Astronaut When I Grow Up

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Yes, we are all more than happy to  finally see Leo get an Oscar, but let me take a second to point out that those who don’t speak the English language wouldn’t have been able to understand anything he said during his speech if it weren’t for the simultaneous interpreters who translated the content for us. SIMULTANEOUSLY, because the coverage was live.

When you take a second to reflect upon the fact that these people interpret speeches and dialogues which are generally delivered under the pressure of strict time limitations and deeply moved by the situation, the whole job becomes just as incredible as that of the astronaut we all wanted to be when we were kids. Congratulations to the interpreters in charge.