Technical interpretation - query Thread poster: Luciana La Marca (X)
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Luciana La Marca (X)
Local time: 02:25
French to Italian
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Hi,
I was asked to translate a three-day technical training on some specific machines but the company doesn't seem willing to provide any documentation beforehand.
They don't want to provide any detail at all ...
How do you normally deal with these types of situations. Technical vocabulary can be very wide and extremely specific ...
I look forward to any suggestions or help
Luciana
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I know, it is not the most comfortable or fair situation, but it can happen. Sometimes, the information is very confidential or the speakers haven't sent their speeches on time or are reluctant to share them because they don't know who you are.
At least, they should give you the title of the conference and keep asking about the general and the specific topic (for example, the general topic could be mining and the specific topic could be alluvial mining, or blasting equipment).
... See more I know, it is not the most comfortable or fair situation, but it can happen. Sometimes, the information is very confidential or the speakers haven't sent their speeches on time or are reluctant to share them because they don't know who you are.
At least, they should give you the title of the conference and keep asking about the general and the specific topic (for example, the general topic could be mining and the specific topic could be alluvial mining, or blasting equipment).
Once you have that, normally, you will work with a colleague, so tell him/her to build up a glossary together with you to share (try to study it). You will see that many of the technical terms will be used in the event.
And finally, arrive at least 30-40 mins. before, to talk with some of the speakers about the terms. Once you introduce yourself, they are mostly understanding enough to help and explain the terms. Perhaps they have a printed copy or the file of their speech; (have your USB ready if you take a laptop) and they can pass it to you. Read it, highlight unknown terms and ask him/her for a brief explanation.
The audience normally understands that you are not a professional of the subject. Even if you leave some of the words in the original language, they will mostly understand them.
This has happened to me sometimes, but I could always manage by taking these steps.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Phil Hand 
China
Local time: 08:25
Chinese to English
| Just be explicit about what you can and can't do | Mar 9, 2012 |
If you sign a contract, make sure it's mentioned in the contract that no documentation was provided. Otherwise, state very clearly in emails that quality and speed will suffer because of the lack of documentation. Then go for it!
As it's a training course, it should start off simple, with explanations for key terms. Then you'll just have to talk to the trainer so that he can give you a heads up on any technical concepts coming up. But I agree with Cristina, audience/clients are generally p... See more If you sign a contract, make sure it's mentioned in the contract that no documentation was provided. Otherwise, state very clearly in emails that quality and speed will suffer because of the lack of documentation. Then go for it!
As it's a training course, it should start off simple, with explanations for key terms. Then you'll just have to talk to the trainer so that he can give you a heads up on any technical concepts coming up. But I agree with Cristina, audience/clients are generally pretty good - they don't expect you to know everything. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Luciana La Marca (X)
Local time: 02:25
French to Italian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Thank you + little more question | Mar 9, 2012 |
Thanks to both of you. Having to improvise on technical subjects makes me feel uncomfortable. I was told to just visit their website but I doubt that this is enough on understanding and explaining the functioning of a specific machine ...
But yes, will specify to the customers that I was not given the material to prepare the training which will definitely not facilitate the translation. Just need to "cover" myself in case they expectations are more important than what can be given.
... See more Thanks to both of you. Having to improvise on technical subjects makes me feel uncomfortable. I was told to just visit their website but I doubt that this is enough on understanding and explaining the functioning of a specific machine ...
But yes, will specify to the customers that I was not given the material to prepare the training which will definitely not facilitate the translation. Just need to "cover" myself in case they expectations are more important than what can be given.
One last little more question :
The training starts at 8 am and ends at 6 pm i.e. 8 hours overall. Lunch lasts 2 hours and will be taken together with the trainer and the clients. When and how do I take a "break" since during lunch time I may be asked to translate conversations also (this already happened on other missions).
Thank you every so much for any info or suggestion you could provide
Luciana ▲ Collapse
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Paola Dossan
Italy
Local time: 02:25
English to Italian
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| Please, don't! | Mar 9, 2012 |
Hi Luciana,
I am an interpreter myself and I know pretty well what you mean. That's why my advice is: don't take up this assignment.
You did not specify whether this is going to be in simultaneous or consecutive mode, so I may only guess, however the point is this is not a conference, this is training and participants MUST absolutely understand it perfectly. If you do not understand yourself, you would never be able to let them understand.
One more: this is a technical subject.... See more Hi Luciana,
I am an interpreter myself and I know pretty well what you mean. That's why my advice is: don't take up this assignment.
You did not specify whether this is going to be in simultaneous or consecutive mode, so I may only guess, however the point is this is not a conference, this is training and participants MUST absolutely understand it perfectly. If you do not understand yourself, you would never be able to let them understand.
One more: this is a technical subject.
Would you know how to translate "smerigliatrice" into French? And "fresa"? Do you know the difference between "saldatura" and "incollatura"?
You just can't think of accepting such a technical assignment if you are not given the details of the subject matter for you to prepare properly.
If you are so brave to accept, let them sign a "liberatoria" first at least.
In this way, they formally acknowledge that you had no material to prepare on and there would be no point for complaints thereafter.
Actually, I wouldn't take it up any way...
My two cents...
Good luck.
Paola ▲ Collapse
| | | | Paola Dossan
Italy
Local time: 02:25
English to Italian
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Hi Luciana,
here I am back again on the question.
As concerns your doubt on breaks, actually two interpreters would be required for such an assignment. I thought it was obvious, so I did not say that in my first reply...
I guess this should be a consecutive job, so two people are absolutely required for both to enjoy the right breaks.
Plus: don't have lunch with trainer and trainees. You must have a break and you wouldn't if you just eat with them.
These are basic r... See more Hi Luciana,
here I am back again on the question.
As concerns your doubt on breaks, actually two interpreters would be required for such an assignment. I thought it was obvious, so I did not say that in my first reply...
I guess this should be a consecutive job, so two people are absolutely required for both to enjoy the right breaks.
Plus: don't have lunch with trainer and trainees. You must have a break and you wouldn't if you just eat with them.
These are basic rules of any interpreting assignment...
Good luck again.
Paola ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Two big problems | Mar 10, 2012 |
Dear Luciana,
this assignment is a very good example of what impossible requests some customers have.. A 3-day- training about a technical subject without any specific information on the subject?! On top of that, just one interpreter for a 3-day-job? I think the only possible answer here is: no thanks, not with me!
The fact that the customer does not understand the importance of you getting material beforehand is nothing new in our profession, but I think it is absolutely fund... See more Dear Luciana,
this assignment is a very good example of what impossible requests some customers have.. A 3-day- training about a technical subject without any specific information on the subject?! On top of that, just one interpreter for a 3-day-job? I think the only possible answer here is: no thanks, not with me!
The fact that the customer does not understand the importance of you getting material beforehand is nothing new in our profession, but I think it is absolutely fundamental for us to get that information! At least some general information to start to prepare a glossary! As others already said, of course you can decide to take up the assignment anyway, but the customer should be aware of the consequences of this lack of information on their side on the quality of your work.
However, what I really see as the biggest problem here is the fact that, if I understand your post correctly, you are going to be on your own. 8 hours interpreting, even with 2 hours for lunch break, is simply too much. Apart from the fact that it would exhausting for you, the quality of your interpreting will definitely suffer from it at some point. Maybe there is a chance to further discuss this aspect with your customer?
Good luck!
Chiara ▲ Collapse
| | | | Luciana La Marca (X)
Local time: 02:25
French to Italian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks a lot Chiara
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