Are there some aspects to take into account when interpreting in visits, tours or parties?
Thread poster: Monica Gaitan
Monica Gaitan
Monica Gaitan
Guatemala
English to Spanish
+ ...
Mar 12, 2019

Hi everyone, I am a student of interpretation and I have some doubts related with the interpreter's behavior in situations like visits, parties, tours or excursions. For example, does the interpreter have to be next to the client even if this is having some social activities or in the case of an excursion in which the client wants to go into an adventure, should the interpreter have to be with him/her all the time?

I think that if you share personal experiences related to this topic
... See more
Hi everyone, I am a student of interpretation and I have some doubts related with the interpreter's behavior in situations like visits, parties, tours or excursions. For example, does the interpreter have to be next to the client even if this is having some social activities or in the case of an excursion in which the client wants to go into an adventure, should the interpreter have to be with him/her all the time?

I think that if you share personal experiences related to this topic that would help me to understand better! Thank you very much! 👋🏼
Collapse


 
Paulinho Fonseca
Paulinho Fonseca  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 12:40
Member (2011)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
It all depends on the... Mar 12, 2019

type of interpretation:
Simultaneous;
Consecutive;
Escort/Travel;
Whisper;
Scheduled Telephone (OPI/Over-the-Phone);
On-Demand Phone.

I work mostly with consecutive and sometimes simultaneous interpretation for mining and supply chain companies, and that involves presentations, OPI, field visits (technical) and interviews. One thing I have always done is homework prior to the task itself when I request all the material related to the job from clie
... See more
type of interpretation:
Simultaneous;
Consecutive;
Escort/Travel;
Whisper;
Scheduled Telephone (OPI/Over-the-Phone);
On-Demand Phone.

I work mostly with consecutive and sometimes simultaneous interpretation for mining and supply chain companies, and that involves presentations, OPI, field visits (technical) and interviews. One thing I have always done is homework prior to the task itself when I request all the material related to the job from client. I read it, review it and take notes about proper names, figures, etc., or if needed, I create a glossary.

You can also use this link for more info

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3eZ19Sfx4Q

And I hope that helps.

Good luck!

[Edited at 2019-03-12 20:58 GMT]

[Edited at 2019-03-12 20:59 GMT]
Collapse


 
Monica Gaitan
Monica Gaitan
Guatemala
English to Spanish
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Mar 12, 2019

But my main concerns are about the details during the interpretation when this is a escort/travel interpretation. For example if it is a party, should I stay the entire party, leave before or after my client? Or if it is an excursion or tour, should I go with him/her all the time in the different activities?

 
Lincoln Hui
Lincoln Hui  Identity Verified
Hong Kong
Local time: 23:40
Member
Chinese to English
+ ...
What do they want? Mar 12, 2019

They'll have to tell you whether they want you by their side, but I would think they hired you precisely for the purpose of communicating during social activities.

Adventures, now that's a different matter, especially if it results in exceptional inconvenience or any sort of physical danger to you.


 
Monica Gaitan
Monica Gaitan
Guatemala
English to Spanish
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Should I include like exceptions in my contract or in a written way? Mar 12, 2019

For example, if it is a tour and my client does not know exactly what are we going to do, can I write like a note in my contract indicating that there may be some activities in which the interpreter would not participate or do you think that is too much?

 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 16:40
French to English
if it's time you're being paid for, you stay with the person you're interpreting for Mar 13, 2019

I'm not an interpreter but had to deal with interpreting assignments while working as a PM.

Basically, if it's time you're being paid for, you stay with the person you're interpreting for unless they ask you not to.

I remember one client complaining that the interpreter was guzzling champagne and being rather jolly... it turned out that it was after the event and she was no longer on paid time, so she was free to drink and behave as she wished. Still, we found a diffe
... See more
I'm not an interpreter but had to deal with interpreting assignments while working as a PM.

Basically, if it's time you're being paid for, you stay with the person you're interpreting for unless they ask you not to.

I remember one client complaining that the interpreter was guzzling champagne and being rather jolly... it turned out that it was after the event and she was no longer on paid time, so she was free to drink and behave as she wished. Still, we found a different interpreter for that client after that.

On another momentous occasion, an interpreter was to help an American during a team-building activity with their French colleagues. The person running the activity didn't understand the point of the interpreter, saying that each person had to be alone for part of the activity. This part involved having to cross the Calanques de Cassis, and I had a rather panicky interpreter calling me to say she was on the edge of a precipice and it seemed like she had to scramble down it and what did I think she should do. I told her to make her way safely to wherever she might find someone from the company and in no way put her life in danger. It didn't go down well because she then missed the part where everyone met up on the other side and related how they crossed. But that was the fault of the person who split them up and I wasn't going to ask the interpreter to put herself in danger.
Collapse


 
IrinaN
IrinaN
United States
Local time: 10:40
English to Russian
+ ...
Can't think of a better way to end a career Mar 13, 2019

before even starting it. Or, excuse me, to ridicule yourself. That note would be some eye-popper.

Monica, you do not need to have a clause in your contract to decline a visit to a gentlemen's club or a lion's cage. Your clients will not be eager to pay for your sky diving or swimming with the sharks sessions together with them. They will not be pouring vodka down your throat when alcohol will be served at the dinner.

Regarding everything else... whatever it may be, it'
... See more
before even starting it. Or, excuse me, to ridicule yourself. That note would be some eye-popper.

Monica, you do not need to have a clause in your contract to decline a visit to a gentlemen's club or a lion's cage. Your clients will not be eager to pay for your sky diving or swimming with the sharks sessions together with them. They will not be pouring vodka down your throat when alcohol will be served at the dinner.

Regarding everything else... whatever it may be, it's not a party, a visit or a tour for you - it's an assignment. A paid one. A job. Can you leave before the assignment ends? Will you hang out in the conference room or at the airport by yourself after it does?

As a freelancer, you must find out the specifics of every assignment and either take it or decline it. When still in doubt after all the explanations - decline. Period.
Collapse


 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:


You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Are there some aspects to take into account when interpreting in visits, tours or parties?







CafeTran Espresso
You've never met a CAT tool this clever!

Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer. Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools. Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free

Buy now! »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »