February 9, 2008

Composition of place: A soundproof cube two metres square, made out of plywood.

The front wall is glass with a view of the delegates from above; some of them disappear under our feet. In front of the glass, two seats, side by side, with a microphone and headphones.

What to ask:That the delegates’ thoughts be well organized and clearly enunciated, and that the translators’ brains be well connected to their tongues. That the candy cough drops be plentiful.

Points: 1. Wait, like the watchman, for the person who will speak in the language I must deal with. Do not get sleepy but listen to what is being said; be aware of what is going on, while staying relaxed. 2. When the time comes, click on the mike (the right light goes on) and translate, right away and without comments. The priority is for the meaning rather than for a “word by word” translation, although “word by word” is better than no words at all… 3. When it is necessary, pass the microphone to the other man to avoid translating into a language other than the one that is expected, or to repeat what is being said without translating, or to lose your whole vocabulary, etc.

Friendship time: Do not forget to go for an ice cream with the other translators, with the delegates or Jesuits living in Rome, to visit a museum, and to take the opportunity for moments of encounter outside of the cube, when it might be possible to ask some questions, and maybe to offer an opinion.

Guilhem Causse - 6/02/0

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