How can you use translation skills to work in diplomacy?

Being a professional linguist, such as a translator or interpreter, in diplomacy can lead to specific and prestigious roles. These include serving as a language specialist in international bodies like the United Nations, where you may be tasked with translating critical documents or interpreting high-level meetings. In embassies, linguists often work as cultural attachés or communication experts, playing key roles in diplomatic engagements. Government departments involved in foreign affairs may employ you as a policy advisor, leveraging your language skills to navigate complex international treaties. Such positions not only require linguistic prowess but also a deep understanding of cultural contexts, making them rewarding.

Boundaries of social systems stratify into internal and external layers with respective social agencies. Diplomacy is an internal – endohomorous – phenomenon that cannot reach the other side of the boundary without an external – ectohomorous – phenomenon such as translation. Translation is the outmost contact point where the system meets the environment – another system. Ectohomorous phenomena can fulfil their social-systemic function without endohomorous, but not the other way round. Diplomats can deal with systems in the environment only indirectly via translation, which specialises in direct contacting the system’s other.

Utilizing translation skills in diplomacy involves bridging language gaps, ensuring clear communication, and fostering understanding between nations. Translation aids in accurate interpretation of diplomatic documents, negotiations, and speeches. It enhances diplomatic relations by promoting cultural sensitivity and effective communication across diverse linguistic backgrounds. The ability to convey nuanced messages and avoid misinterpretations is crucial in diplomatic settings, contributing to successful international collaborations and negotiations.

Effective communication is essential to build/ foster relationships and resolve conflicts. Therefore, translation skills are crucial in diplomacy. In times dominated by global conflicts, I believe the following aspects become particularly more important: Negotiation support: In diplomatic negotiations, interpreters facilitate mutual understanding, conveying nuanced positions, fostering mutual understanding and trust. Crisis Communication: During crises or emergencies, translators are essential for accurate communication and their skills can be critical in de-escalating tensions and resolving issues peacefully.

Be respectful of the content. There is no room for improvisation. Do some research on the terminology used, for there are certain terms, neologisms, expressions used that are solely for diplomatic/political context. In Diplomacy/International Affairs there will be a vast use of transliterated terms from French, German, mainly European languages. Inquire if they have an officially recognized equivalent in your target language, otherwise, leave as is, and Italize them in your translation. Respect the acronyms, they stand for concrete content known between all parties.

Effective communication in diplomatic relations requires translation skills and cultural understanding. Consider a party may have special interests which could lead to potential bias. Find the balance between the original message and being aware of underlying motives to avoid manipulation. Translators must also be aware of the historical, social, and political contexts shaping language use. Take, for instance, the 2009 incident between U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Clinton presented a red button to symbolize a "reset" in U.S.-Russian relations. However, the word "reset" was mistranslated as "overcharge" or "overload." So instead of signalling a fresh start, it suggested the opposite.

From the XIV to early XVI centuries Greeks and Armenians replaced the Jews in having best expertise in European languages. Starting from the XVII century, Christian families sent their sons to study translation in Italy. Later they were employed at various administrative levels across Ottoman Empire as mediators in collecting taxes or maintaining order. The Sublime Porte and foreign embassies – Venetians, Genoese, French, English– hired interpreters. They were mostly Moslem converts – Muhtadi – from the outskirts of the Empire, Hungarians, Poles, Germans, Italians, Greeks. Members of the Greek patrician class educated in the West (Phanariots from the district Phanar in Constantinople), became the original official dragomans (translators).

Translation skills are crucial in diplomacy as they enable effective communication and mutual understanding between nations with different languages. Accurate translation helps in conveying nuanced diplomatic messages and intentions, reducing the risk of misunderstandings that could lead to conflicts. It fosters trust and respect, as it shows a commitment to fully engage with the cultural and linguistic context of the counterpart. Moreover, skilled translators can capture cultural subtleties, ensuring that diplomatic gestures and expressions are appropriately interpreted. This is essential in negotiations, treaties, and international relations, where clarity and precision are paramount.

This is a very important role of translation skills. It can facilitate more effective and harmonious international relations, it will build bridges between cultures. Translators can accurately translate documents and communications that can be understood by all languages involved. They can facilitate communication during diplomatic negotiations or important conversations. They can also translate speeches, public statements ensuring all messages are delivered properly.

Nuance is incredibly important in diplomacy, especially when communicating across languages and cultures. Translating effectively involves a lot of research.

The distribution of the expertise in the required foreign language can vary. Although it is helpful for ambassadors to be familiar with the culture and know the language(s) used, it is not always necessary. The practice was that emissaries were relocated routinely to different countries, and they are not always appointed to their country’s legations in the same geographic area or in countries of similar languages. Before the IWW US diplomats were sent to Europe and LatAm. French was the language of diplomacy in Europe, in Latin America, Spanish was used too. In Renaissance Europe, Latin was the language of international interactions. In eighteenth and twentieth century French played the same role. Today English is used as a lingua franca.

Exactly! Translation in diplomacy is a versatile tool, weaving through various mediums to ensure that messages are accurately conveyed across cultural and linguistic landscapes. It's like crafting a tapestry of understanding on a global stage.

Fieldwork: Support humanitarian missions in conflict zones or disaster-stricken areas, where translation skills are crucial for communicating with local populations and coordinating relief efforts.

Diplomacy can reduce complexity but only to an extent- reducing complexity by providing information. Complexity is a range of options; information excludes some of the options by pointing to the selected option. Note of protest points to an actualised attitude of the government – amongst all possible reactions, the government is shown to disagree with the other side’s action(s). Diplomacy is capable of reducing the complexity of its system for the other side by passing on the decision of it government to the other side – handing note of protest. Yet diplomacy cannot CROSS the boundary all the way to the other side: it operates on the inside of the boundary, endohomorously, it does not reach the other side until TRANSLATION, steps in.

A few words about Institute of dragomanry. The word dragoman comes from the Turkish tercüman that is a borrowing from Arabic – terjuman –translator/interpreter. In the book of Genesis, Joseph acted as an interpreter for his brothers from Canaan. The word in Hebrew is melitz. The Aramaic translations of the Hebrew word in this meaning are meturgeman, or translator/interpreter. The Aramaic word is traced to Assyrian word ragamu meaning to speak. The word meturgeman or turgeman was borrowed from Aramaic to Hebrew – the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic is called Targum – Arabic, Turkish, and then into European languages such as Italian – turcimanno – or French – truchement. In English, a word became dragoman- translator/interpreter.

John F. Kennedy, in Berlin, in the middle of his speech, said that in the Ancient Rome, one would proudly say ‘civis romanus sum’ – I am a Roman citizen. Yet, in his time, the ‘proudest boast’ was ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ – I am a Berliner. Secretary H Clinton in 2009 met with S Lavrov, and suggested to reset Russo-American relations by giving him as a gift a red button. The inscription on the button read “peregruzka” which in Russian means overload or overcharge instead of “perezagruzka” meaning reset. Thus, whilst endohomorous agents might cross linguistic boundary on their own – they should remember that they are doing that at their own peril for acting ectohomorously is the privilege of another social agent – translator/interpreter.

With the advent of AI, translation skills and knowledge of multiple languages may become less important. Although AI can facilitate live translations, it might struggle to understand human intent.

One challenge working in diplomacy with translation skills might be maintaining a clear sense of one's own identity. Along with the skill to wear both hats and seeing things from the eyes of the two engaging parties, there is also a great deal of self identification. One must allow themselves to identify with one party and then with the other. Throughout the whole experience, which can sometime take days or weeks at a time, one must find a comfortable position where they identify themselves as themselves. And this position can sometimes be hard to maintain and keep stable.

I have been and ad hic translator due to my knowledge is Spanish and Portuguese, and believe the this role is hardly ever appreciated by anyone. Being a translator is a hard profession that requires an extensive vocabulary and knowledge of the language. I have seen and interacted with professional translators and I am at awe of their profession in and situation, especially speaking of those in the diplomatic arena!!!

Few years back, a researcher from Durham university (UK) was almost sentenced to death in UAE for incorrectly described in his papers as “Jasous” (someone involved in the act ofTahassasa or attempt to obtain information).Tahassasa appears in surah Hujurat and is used in Quran to admonish believers, as it was considered a sin if information obtained was not used for the common good. If Jasous gets information for selfish reasons, he becomes a spy. Tahassasa also denotes obtaining hidden information for common good. So, instead of translating his papers as “researcher obtaining hidden information for his research”, he should have been presented as Jasous getting Tahassasa for the common good of the ally of that Arab country (which UK was).

Imagine a diplomatic summit where a translator is translating a peace proposal. A slight misinterpretation could alter the entire negotiation. And can be a disaster! Translating diplomatic content while preserving cultural nuances and subtleties is challenging. Diplomacy often deals with politically sensitive matters like complex subjects, legal agreements and geopolitical issues. It is critical that translators are be able to navigate the sensitivities carefully, avoiding language that could be misconstrued or unintentionally offensive. Apart from linguistic proficiency, a deep understanding of diplomatic protocols, cultural awareness, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations are key skills for diplomatic translators.

An amazing example to this. It shows how delicate it can become if we look only in one direction. A form of intelligence and respect is helpful to understand the difference in the language according to religion and culture. A sense of empathy is also not bad, if someone got that feeling combined with an instinct for safety.

There are some main essential skills that are "must" when dealing with translation. Firstly, it is important to understand the real meaning (one or more) that a word or expression may have in its own language and context used. Secondly, we should understand that a word may sound informal or with different meaning in some contexts and cases. Finally, but not the last point, it is relevant that the writer or speaker understands that the listener / reader may translate or interpret some words using his/ her own cultural background and that some words in other cultural contexts may not have the same meaning of the first idiom.

My professional journey has encompassed years of collaboration with the Cuban consulate in Rome, focusing on sworn translations. Currently based in London, I serve as an official translator for the Italian General Consulate. My role frequently involves translating civil certificates for official use in Italy. This extensive experience across various Italian and international consulates has highlighted a critical insight: each institution strictly adheres to its unique set of procedures and rules for official translations. Therefore, I strongly advise that anyone seeking to submit an official translation to a consulate should first thoroughly verify the specific requirements set by the respective institution. This diligence is crucial!