How well can you interpret?

I'll start by clarifying what type of interpreting I would like to talk about. This time, it will not be about the one considered a skilled professional who is not only trained but also nationally certified or an individual who is just bilingual, "testing the waters" of cultural differences and ways of bridging the existing communication gaps. This one time, it is not about the language at all.

Taking things personally is one of the forms of interpreting I would like to spend some time on and break down with you, as it is not the interpreting we can label as "done well."

When we take things personally, we are misinterpreting other people's thoughts and actions. To take it even further, we, most of the time, start believing them to be targeted toward us. We get upset and frustrated with others and, eventually, often with ourselves. Would you believe me if I said there is a simple remedy for all of it?

People around us have plenty of reasons behind their actions that, most of the time, have nothing to do with us. All of this comes from different experiences they acquired and lifestyles they absorbed. A lot of it is also cultural, which often tends to differ from others, especially when dealing with a diverse population group. My culture and norms may not be the same as yours, even if we come from the same region (our beliefs may be different, our upbringing can vary, etc.); therefore, my interpretation of your words or actions may be misleading, especially in instance if our backgrounds differ significantly.

I hope you see where I'm going with this already...

If your circle of friends decides to gather together on a day when you have other plans and cannot attend dinner with the group, and they continue to form a bond, it is not because they want you to be excluded; it is often because they already feel the strong bond and consider you being an integral part of it whether present or not. Another example to ponder is that one co-worker of yours that you feel some way about as he/she was promoted while you were not may be another great example of how far off we sometimes are with our interpretation. This person was most likely more qualified for the role, which actually has nothing to do with you. Do you see it now?

I encourage you to take a step back. You will know when...

When you feel hurt or threatened by others, try first by challenging your assumptions. It's often quite a task to maintain objectivity when our emotions are running high. Recognizing and challenging our assumptions in those moments can help us gain clarity and perspective on the actual situation. It's like stepping back to see the bigger picture rather than getting caught up in our immediate emotional reactions. If one step back is not enough, take two. Take a moment and ask yourself whether this is truly a personal attack or whether someone's actions were intentional to hurt you.

Projecting past experiences onto current interactions can significantly distort our perception of reality, and we often do not even realize it. This is where misinterpretation happens. We all can control it and make an international change/adjustment. Taking a step back and examining situations we come across from a detached, unbiased perspective can help us see things more clearly. It also allows us to separate our emotional reactions from the actual intentions and behaviors of others. This shift in perspective can lead to more constructive and less emotionally charged responses under challenging situations. This is how you become an interpreting PRO.

I want to point out a few reasons why you may not be the best at interpreting:

• Perfectionist syndrome- If you see yourself as a perfectionist, this may be the reason why your interpreting suffers. Stop taking things too personally. Others' agenda is NOT about judging or criticizing you. Stop comparing.
• Your environment- The environment we're in plays a significant role in how we perceive and react to situations. If we're accustomed to toxicity or negativity, we might start interpreting benign actions as malicious or hurtful. It's like wearing tinted glasses that color everything we see. Recognizing the influence of our environment can help us be more mindful of our reactions and seek out healthier surroundings if needed. Creating a supportive and positive environment can greatly reduce the tendency to take things personally and foster healthier relationships.
• Stress- how relaxed are you now? Stress can significantly impact your emotional reactivity and ability to think objectively. When you are stressed, your cognitive resources are often depleted, making it harder to process information accurately and regulate your emotions effectively. As a result, you may be more prone to interpreting situations in a negative light and taking things personally, even when they may not be intended that way. Recognizing when stress is influencing your reactions and finding ways to manage it can help you respond more calmly and rationally in challenging situations.
• The power of sleep- did you know that the lack of sleep can have a profound impact on various cognitive functions, including communication skills? Please don't underestimate the value of it. When we're sleep-deprived, our ability to concentrate, process information, and regulate emotions is compromised. This can make it more likely for us to misinterpret others' words or actions and react impulsively or emotionally to perceived slights.

I hope this gives you enough reasons to dig deeper and take a moment to think about how you can improve your interpreting skills. You are doing it daily, anyway; why not spend time and effort mastering it? We all interpret things regardless of whether we speak more than one language or navigate within just one. I hope you can benefit from this and come back in a few weeks with some helpful case studies to share with others.

Until then, Namaste!