The Daily Record
For The Record : Interpreters Talk And Translators Write
DEAR ABBY: I’m writing about your answer to “An International Educator” (Dec. 27), who asked about translators at parentteacher conferences. Your answer was only partially correct.
I am a professional interpreter and translator. First I should note that translators do written work; interpreters speak aloud. Different skills are involved, which is why there are different terms.
Second, during interpretation, the interpreter is not considered to be part of the conversation, just a “conduit” through which communication takes place. Persons being interpreted for do not need to look at the interpreter while facilitating their communication.
A professional interpreter will interpret everything that is said; for example, they will not leave out curse words or “filter” or embellish anything. They also try to approximate the same voice tone.
I should also note that professional interpreters are bound by privacy codes much like doctors and nurses. We are not allowed to divulge any information we have learned from our interpretation jobs. Another thing to realize is that a professional interpreter (or translator) will be completely neutral, regardless of who hired him/her or with which party he/ she enters the room.
If someone is using a non-professional interpreter, a person who just happens to know both languages but has not had the training to be an interpreter, he/ she may not adhere to these privacy or conduct codes, and their interpretations may not be of the best quality. Just knowing two languages does not guarantee that someone is capable of doing accurate interpretations (the same goes for translations). — ONE WHO KNOWS IN KANSAS DEAR O.W.K.: Thank you for clarifying the difference between the two terms. You were one of many readers who wrote to explain it, and I’m glad you did. ****** DEAR ABBY: When I visited my sister 15 years ago, my brother- in-law tried to rape me. He was drunk and my sister was out with her friends. I have not revealed this to my family or my sister, who is emotionally and financially dependent on him.
My niece is now 20 years old and in college. I feel I should tell her what her dad did to me and warn her to be careful. What do you think? — NEVER FORGETTING IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR NEVER FORGETTING: Frankly, I think that if your brother- in-law was going to assault his daughter, it would have happened already, and you should have told your family what he tried to do to you at the time it occurred. ****** DEAR ABBY: My friend “Sara” invites herself and her two children over to play with mine from time to time. When it’s time to have a snack or eat, she and her kids make themselves at home — especially with the milk.
Abby, I work 70 hours a week. My children eat cereal often and love milk, but because of my schedule, I don’t get a chance to go grocery shopping as often as I should. (I am a single parent.) How do I politely tell my friend that it’s fine to make herself at home, but getting both of her children refills of milk without asking me is taking it too far? She knows I can afford it, but I’m uncomfortable asking because I don’t know how to draw the line. — WORKING MOM OUT WEST DEAR WORKING MOM: I assume you communicate with Sara outside of her drop-in visits to your home? The next time you talk, text or email her, explain that you love her company and she’s always welcome, but because of your 70-hour work schedule you don’t get to the market as often as she does — so when she brings her kids, please also bring a quart of milk with her. To do that is stating the facts, it isn’t rude and it isn’t asking too much. If she’s your friend, and not a user, she will comply.
******
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.Dear-Abby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
DEAR ABBY
ABIGAIL VAN BUREN