Top 4 Challenges of Interpreting

Interpretation is a demanding profession that requires versatility and flexibility. Many people think of interpretation as simply translating word-by-word what others say. This perspective is entirely wrong.

Interpreters must not only be proficient in two or more languages but also have a deep understanding of different cultures, histories, and various specialized fields. Certainly, they must face many challenges to become professional interpreters.

Let's breakdown top 4 challenges of Interpreting with SK Translate.

Lack of cultural understanding

Every language and culture has its unique characteristics, and understanding these is key to accurate translation. A word can carry different meanings in different cultural contexts, and choosing the appropriate word can be a significant challenge.

When communicating ?with someone from different background , cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings ?even if you share a common language. ?In different cultural contexts, phrases can also carry different meanings, especially idioms, proverbs, and slang.

For example, how would you translate the phrase "Every Jack has his Jill"? Would it be "Each Jack? have his Jill"? A cultural interpreter will translate it as "People sometimes think that by finding the perfect person, they will find their perfect partner". In Vietnamese, it means "n?i nào úp vung n?y". However, an inexperienced interpreter may struggle to convey the meaning behind non-literal phrases.

Difficulty in hearing?

Surely, every interpreter has experienced the frustration of being unable to hear or only hearing faintly what the speaker is saying. In many cases, this issue may be due to poorly set up audio equipment (especially in remote settings).

While a translator can look up the meaning of words in a dictionary or on the web, interpreters need to immediately re-translate the speech without any urgent support. An experienced interpreter ensure proper? functioning of audio equipment and guide speakers to enhance clarity.?However, an inexperienced interpreter may struggle with this?challenge. They potentially skip unclear words and cause inaccuracies in the transmission process.

Specialized knowledge in?specific fields

Specialized knowledge is vital in events requiring specific specialized terminology, especially in legal, medical, business, and conference settings.? Therefore, interpreters must have a solid understanding of the terms that may arise. For example, few people can translate medical terms like "coronary artery disease" without preparation.

Frequently, interpreters specialize their skills in certain specific fields (some interpreters are familiar with medical terminology in multiple languages). However, if the topic is very specific, interpreters still need to be briefed on that topic to prepare adequately. An underqualified interpreter may translate a convoluted and unclear dialogue.

Tone and Voice

Imagine if the speaker said "Oh, really?" in a cheerful, open-minded tone, while the interpreter translated it in an ironic, sarcastic way. Expressing agreement with a sudden change in tone can become an expression of extreme dissatisfaction by simply switching to a different tone.

This illustrates the importance of understanding the speaker's tone for interpreters. Because meaning is conveyed not only through words but also through the tone in which they are delivered. Misunderstanding sarcasm and humor can lead to serious misinterpretations, something many inexperienced interpreters fall victim to.

Conclusion

Every interpreter will face various challenges on their professional journey. Overcoming these challenges requires patience, specialized knowledge, and excellent communication skills. By continuously learning and practicing, interpreters can become leading and trustworthy translation experts.