“How many languages do you speak?”
As my workload had eased off a bit at the end of August, I jumped at the chance to finally have a go at creating another video log (or vlog) and release it. It’s about 3 common misconceptions about what a translator is or what a translator does. You can find it on YouTube or watch it here on my blog.
The inspiration for this vlog came from a brief conversation which I overheard while checking into my accommodation ahead of the ITI Conference in Edinburgh a few months ago. Another translator, who was also checking in, mentioned her profession to the friendly receptionist, who then immediately asked: “How many languages?”
It’s a question I, too, am frequently asked whenever my job as a translator comes up in small talk. It’s a vlog-worthy topic in my opinion as people usually are surprised (or disappointed) to learn that I do NOT speak 5 or 10 languages.
A translator is not an interpreter
I’m a translator (not an interpreter), I work with two foreign languages, and I don’t have to speak much as part of my job. Translators work with the written word, whereas interpreters handle the spoken word.
If you’ve received this blog post via email, you can watch the video here.
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