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Page context: Home > Transport International Magazine > Issue 9 August 2002 > The view from the interpreter's booth
To build solidarity among trade unionists from all parts of the world, the differences in languages must be overcome. It is a huge task, which could not be undertaken without the services of the staff of the ITF Language Services, regional offices, and freelance interpreters/translators.
Perhaps the most exhausting part is to sit in the booth at the back of the hall for hours, providing simultaneous interpretation. But as MICHELE COSSA, Head of the ITF Language Services, explains, it has its lighter moments.
One might think that most difficulties arise between people using different languages. But even people apparently using the same language can find themselves at odds.
In one ITF meeting a seasoned Australian trade unionist stated with some vigour: “You can’t teach a grandmother how to suck eggs!” He was most surprised to see an American trade unionist jump to his feet and protest vehemently, apparently affronted by the use of “rude” language. As a shouting match developed, it was the task of the interpreters to explain to delegates in other languages what was going on. It wasn’t easy... the Australian saying translates into French “You don’t teach an old monkey how to pull faces.”
The huge variety of accents can be a source of difficulty. At another meeting, a delegate made a very fast speech, with a strong accent from the British city of Liverpool. Blank stares all around the room. After a brief silence, another British delegate stood up and said: “I’d better repeat this speech in English.” And he did.
Then there was the Canadian academic talking about liberalisation in civil aviation, who kept complaining bitterly about “lazfe”. The French interpreter tried desperately to identify the term. Is it a person? a company? a treaty? an obscure acronym? After three or four attempts, she finally recognised the expression, in fact a French one: “laissez-faire”. What a relief!
Cultural differences are not limited to using different languages. The use of words and the tone of voice vary a great deal. Do not be deceived by a British understatement: “We were not too pleased.” In the right context it could mean “we were absolutely livid”.
On the other hand, don’t be taken aback by others who use strong and colourful language in speeches, when it’s just the expression of a friendly argument.
Interpreters get tired and this can lead to slips of the tongue. After a particularly tough civil aviation meeting, the chair closed the session by thanking the union host. Laughter erupted when delegates heard the interpreter say: “thank you for your hospitalisation” (instead of hospitality). Mind you, by then she felt ready to be admitted herself!
There can also be some very poignant moments. One such was the end of a conference in South Africa, when delegates stood, tears in their eyes, while the local trade union choir conveyed through their songs all the pain, hope and sense of victory which marked their long and proud struggle. No interpretation was needed at all.
Overcoming the language barrier
Documents for ITF meetings, publications and campaign materials are regularly available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Russian. Other languages, including Japanese, Korean and Arabic, are provided on request where budgets allow. In 2001, 28 different languages were used in ITF translations. The ITF web site also now includes material in French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Russian.
The most translated regular ITF publication is the annual Seafarers’ Bulletin. With the help of ITF affiliates, it goes into no less than 13 languages, including Tagalog, Chinese, Indonesian and Polish, which are among the languages most widely spoken by the world’s seafarers.
Section home:
Issue 9 August 2002
Other pages for Issue 9 August 2002:
Congress hosts in fight to defend union rights | Workers must have a stake in the new world economy | Globalising transport | Key issues for Congress | Mobilising Solidarity Progress report | Mobilising the activists | Education and organising | Women’s union networks grow | Building more effective unions | ITF campaigns | Border blockades worked | We linked the issues | Stepping up the action | A first in Latin America | Working around the clock | Interview: Guy Ryder | People and obituaries
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