PRIMADONA TRANSLATION

17/08/2022

Dirgahayu Republik Indonesia. Semoga kesejahteraan dan kedamaian selalu menyertai masyarakat Indonesia🤲🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩

29/09/2021

Happy International Translation Day 2021.
The day provides us an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals. The importance of translation in our daily life is multidimensional. Translation paves the way forward for worldwide interaction and allows nations to forge interactive relationships when it comes to creating advancements in technology, politics, and many else.

The theme of International Translation Day 2021 is "United in translation." The theme focuses on world union with the help of translation. As only because of translation we are able to interpret what we read and translators make sure that we are able to do that easily.

16/08/2021

Sarkat dari Pak Ivan Lanin😇

12/08/2021

18/06/2021

Bahasa Indonesia menempati urutan ke-11 dari bahasa yang digunakan di dunia. Urutan pertama diduduki Bahasa Inggris dengan 1,35 miliar pengguna, disusul dengan Mandarin dengan 1,12 miliar penghuni …

08/06/2021

INTERPRETING SERVICES
(*Langpros)

Unlike translation, which involves written texts, interpretation refers to oral communication. Moreover, translation allows time for consulting different types of documents – for example dictionaries, glossaries, and databases – whereas interpretation has to be done on the spot.

Both translation and interpretation are very complex activities and they require a set of professional skills that can only be acquired through specific education and vocational experience. The fact that someone can speak two languages does not mean he or she will be able to interpret an oral speech faithfully and accurately, so beware of all non- professional and self-proclaimed interpreters.

How are interpretation services carried out?
Interpretation services may be performed in two different ways:

– consecutively, with the interpreter starting to interpret as soon as the original speaker finishes his or her speech;

– simultaneously, with the interpreter speaking at the same time as the person giving the speech in the source language. Simultaneous interpreters incorporate a delay of 5-10 seconds before starting to interpret the speech for the target audience.

REMOTE SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION

Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) is a revolutionary interpreting technology powered by a cloud-based platform. Remote Simultaneous Interpretation can be used at multilingual conferences and web meeting of any size, ranging from small workshops to large international conferences. RSI combines high quality with notable time and money savings when compared to on-site simultaneous interpretation.

The main difference between this two types of interpretation is that in RSI interpreters are not present at an event but they work remotely. This is possible thanks to an interface that allows them to see and hear the event as if they were present. At the same time, their interpretation is streamed in real time to the target audience, who listen it through a web application installed on their laptops or smartphones.

Remote Simultaneous Interpretation is quickly becoming the new normal thanks to its capacity for cost reduction and user experience improvement.

BUSINESS INTERPRETING

Business interpreting, also known as liaison interpreting, is very similar to consecutive interpreting. The main difference is that, unlike consecutive interpreting, in business interpreting the speaker uses short sentences. This means that he or she must take frequent pauses in order to allow liaison interpreters to provide their interpretation.

This type of interpretation does not imply any need for specialized interpretation equipment. Usually the interpreter sits next to the speaker and, since speaking turns are quite short, he or she manages to efficiently convey the core message with no need of taking notes.

Liaison interpreting is mainly used for small groups of people (e.g. a business meeting between two executives or a one-on-one interview). It is advisable to use this type of interpretation for groups of no more than five or six people. For groups of more than six and up to twenty people, it’s better to use simultaneous interpretation services with either conference equipment or portable equipment.

CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING

Consecutive interpreting is sometimes called “listen before talk” interpretation. Indeed, consecutive interpretation is when a speaker takes frequent pauses – approximately every 5 minutes – in order to allow the interpreter to interpret the speech into the target language. While the speaker is talking, the interpreter may take notes using shorthand and professional note-taking techniques.

Unlike simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation does not require any technical interpretation equipment, therefore it is to be considered a much cheaper interpretation service. However, consecutive interpretation is progressively being replaced by simultaneous interpretation because of its time consuming nature. Indeed, in consecutive interpretation the speech is repeated twice, first in the source language and then in the target language.

For the following events consecutive interpretation is still preferred to simultaneous interpretation:

Press conferences
Interviews
Working breakfasts and lunches
Meetings and conferences lasting up to two hours

SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING

In simultaneous interpretation the interpreter, who works from a soundproof booth, hears the speaker’s speech through headphones. He or she interprets the speech into a target language through the interpreter’s microphone in real time – with a delay of very few seconds. The audience can hear the interpretation via headsets connected to wireless receivers – in the case of multilingual events with several interpreters, the audience can select from the receiver the channel of the language in which they want to hear the interpretation.

When interpreting simultaneously, the interpreter works in a soundproof booth with at least one colleague. International standards require booking at least two interpreters for interpretation booth for a full workday. Exceptions may depend on the characteristics of an event – for example, when it lasts less than two hours or when there are frequent breaks.

This type of interpretation is ideal for conferences, workshops and any other event where the audience require instant interpretation into a target language.

TELEPHONE INTERPRETING

Telephone interpreting is an interpretation service that allows the interpreter to translate via telephone the conversation of two or more individuals who do not share a common language. The interpreter, connected via conference call, works consecutively, meaning that he or she waits for the speaker to finish an utterance before interpreting it into the listener’s language. This process is commonly used when an interpreter is not available on-site or when the conversation anyway would take place over the phone.

First used in the 70’s, telephone interpreting became popular during the 90’s thanks to the lower costs of international calls. Demand for telephone interpreting has kept rising in the 21st century, leading to a more sophisticated and high-quality service. Thanks to technological improvement, which guarantee faster and more reliable connections, interpretation over the phone is nowadays widely used in a number of settings such as commercial negotiations, emergency calls, customer service etc.

OTHER TYPES OF INTERPRETATION

Besides the main interpretation modalities (business, consecutive and simultaneous interpretation), there are other types of interpretation which may be used in specific communication contexts. Here is a list:

– Whispering interpreting or chuchotage is an interpretation service in which the interpreter stands or sits immediately adjacent to a single listener or a small target audience and whispers a simultaneous interpretation of what is being said by the speaker.

– Relay or indirect interpreting is an interpretation service in which one interpreter converts an original speech in a source language into a bridging language common to other interpreters working at a multilingual event. These interpreters will start from this interpretation and interpret it into their target languages. Actually it is an interpretation of an interpretation. For instance, an interpreter might interpret a speech from Spanish into English, allowing other interpreters who do not speak Spanish to interpret the same speech from English into their target languages.

– Conference interpretation consists in conveying a message spoken in one language into a foreign language at international conferences, workshops and seminars, and bilateral or multilateral political meetings. This type of interpretation may be carried out either simultaneously or consecutively for institutional or private clients.

– Es**rt interpreting or travel interpreting is a type of consecutive interpreting in which the interpreter accompanies a single client or a delegation to various events (such as client visits, sightseeing tours, and business travels). The interpreter may be responsible for simple tasks such as ordering food at a restaurant and also for important operations like closing a business deal.

– Community interpreting is an interpretation service that aims to overcome language barriers between public services and communities speaking foreign languages (e.g. immigrants or refugees). The need for public services, such as social security, family services and health care, makes community interpreting an interpretation service of utmost importance.

– Medical interpreting is an interpretation service that allows effective communication among people speaking different languages. For instance, it may be used at a medical check-up when the physician speaks one language and the patient and his or her relatives speak another language. Medical interpreters often act as mediators for people who, regardless of language, are unfamiliar with medical settings.

– Media interpreting is an interpretation service used for live television coverage of events such as press conferences and interviews with celebrities, athletes, politicians etc. This type of interpretation is often provided simultaneously, with an interpreter sitting in a soundproof booth and translating speeches in real time.

– Video sign language interpreting is an interpretation service in which a hearing individual talks to a deaf or hard-of-hearing person thanks to a sign language interpreter working remotely via PC or tablet. This type of interpreting may be used when no on-site sign language interpreters are available.

22/10/2020

courtesy: Youtube Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa

15/10/2020

courtesy: youtube Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa

26/09/2020

01/04/2020

Mengenal Perbedaan Waste, Garbage, Rubbish, Trash, Litter, Debris, Scarp dan Refuse
(AS)
Semakin banyak kosakata di dalam sebuah bahasa pada bidang tertentu, biasanya disebabkan karena di dalam bahasa tersebut memang sangat tinggi budaya yang berkaitan dengan kosakata tersebut. Sebagai contoh misalnya beberapa istilah/kata yang berkaitan dengan budaya beras di Indonesia sangatlah banyak. Ada menir, gabah, beras, nasi, dll yang merujuk pada satu benda yang berbeda bentuk. Tetapi di dalam bahasa Inggris hanya mengenal “rice”. Hal ini disebabkan karena budaya beras bukan menjadi budaya orang Inggris.

Budaya membuang sampah menjadi bagian budaya Inggris yang cukup tinggi. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan beberapa istilah sampah di dalam bahasa Inggris yang cukup banyak jika dibandingkan dengan istilah-istilah sampah dalam bahasa Indonesia. Di dalam Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus disebutkan beberapa istilah kata yang berhubungan dengan sampah, yaitu waste, garbage, rubbish, trash, litter, debris, scrap, refuse.

1. Waste
Oxford menjelaskan waste dengan “material that are no longer needed and are thrown away” yang artinya “material yang tidak lagi dibutuhkan dan dibuang”. Untuk memahami apa makna waste, kita bisa melihat contoh-contoh yang diberikan pada kamus Cambridge dan Oxford:

a. Britain produces 20 million tonnes of household waste each year. (Inggris menghasilkan 20 juta ton sampah rumah tangga setiap tahun.)


b. He opposes any kind of nuclear waste being dumped at sea. (Dia menentang segala jenis limbah nuklir yang dibuang di laut)

c. Waste water is pumped from the factory into a nearby river. (Air limbah dipompa dari pabrik ke sungai terdekat.)

Dari contoh-contoh yang diberikan kita bisa menyimpulkan bahwa waste adalah hasil buangan dari aktivitas seperti rumah tangga atau pabrik. Dalam bahasa Indonesia kita bisa artikan dengan “limbah”

2. Garbage
Garbage adalah istilah sampah yang digunakan oleh orang Amerika. Baik kamus Oxford maupun Cambridge, sama-sama menyebutkan bahwa garbage digunakan oleh Inggris Amerika. Begini penjelasan Cambridge:
“US ( UK rubbish ) waste material or unwanted things that you throw away ”
“AS (UK rubbish) material sisa atau benda-benda yang sudah tidak diinginkan yang anda buang”.

Garbage umumnya berhubungan dengan sampah basah, seperti yang dijelaskan oleh Oxford:
“waste, especially food and other wet material”
“limbah, khususnya makanan dan material basah lainnya”

3. Rubbish
Rubbish adalah istilah sampah yang lebih sering digunakan oleh orang Inggris dibanding garbage, seperti penjelasan Cambridge berikut ini:
“mainly UK ( US garbage , also trash ) waste material or things that are no longer wanted or needed”
“Utamanya di UK (AS garbage, juga trash) material buangan atau benda-benda yang tidak lagi diperlukan atau digunakan”

Jika garbage merujuk sampah basah, maka rubbish merujuk pada sampah kering, seperti penjelasan Oxford berikut ini:

“Waste, especially paper, cardboard and other dry material that is thrown away by individual people and households”
"Limbah, terutama kertas, karton dan bahan kering lainnya yang dibuang oleh orang-orang individu dan rumah tangga"

4. Trash
Trash merupakan sampah kering. Istilah ini digunakan oleh Inggris Amerika. Hal ini kebalikan dari garbage yang merujuk sampah basah. Lihat penjelasan Oxford berikut ini:

Trash [U] (AmE) “Waste, especially paper, cardboard and other dry material”
"Limbah, terutama kertas, karton dan bahan kering lainnya"

Jadi kertas, karton, dan sampah kering lainya adalah contoh trash.

5. Litter
Litter adalah sampah kecil di jalanan yang dibuang sembarangan oleh orang, misalnya kaleng, tisu, rokok, dll. Begini penjelasan Cambridge:

[ U ] small pieces of rubbish that have been left lying on the ground in public places
[U] potongan-potongan kecil sampah yang telah ditinggalkan tergeletak di tanah di tempat umum

Orang yang s**a membuang sampah sembarangan tersebut disebut dengan “litter bug”

6. Debris
Debris adalah istilah untuk merujuk sampah yang berbentuk reruntuhan, seperti reruntuhan bangunan atau dedaunan. Seperti penjelasan dari Cambridge berikut ini.

“broken or torn pieces of something larger”
“pecahan atau robekan dari sesuatu yang lebih besar”

Untuk lebih memahami istilah debris lihatlah contoh berikut ini:

Debris from the aircraft was scattered over a large area.
“Puing-puing dari pesawat itu tersebar di area yang luas”

7. Scrap
Scrap adalah sampah yang berbentuk barang rongsokan seperti mobil, besi,dll yang sudah tidak digunakan oleh orang dan bisa diolah menjadi bahan yang lain yang bermanfaat. Cambridge menjelaskanya dengan seperti ini:

[ U ] old cars and machines or pieces of metal, etc. that are not now needed but have parts that can be used to make other things
[U] mobil tua dan mesin atau potongan logam, dll yang sekarang tidak diperlukan, tetapi memiliki bagian-bagian yang dapat digunakan untuk membuat benda-benda yang lainnya.

a. scrap iron/ metal.
b. We've sold our old car for scrap.

8. Refuse
Refuse adalah istilah formal dari garbage, rubbish, dan trash. Cambridge menjelaskannya seperti ini:

“unwanted waste material, especially material that is regularly thrown away from a house, factory, etc.; rubbish”

"Material limbah yang tidak diinginkan, terutama material yang secara berkala dibuang dari rumah, pabrik, dll .; sampah"

Kesimpulan
Ada banyak istilah sampah di dalam bahasa Inggris. Lantas bagaimana cara penggunaanya?

a. Rubbish adalah kata yang digunakan khusus oleh orang Inggris atau UK yang merujuk pada sampah secara umum.

b. Orang-orang Amerika memiliki dua istilah sampah, yaitu garbage sebagai sampah basah dan trash sebagai sampah kering.

c. Orang Amerika maupun Inggris sama-sama menggunakan istilah “litter” untuk sampah kecil yang dibuang sembarangan di jalanan.

d. Refuse adalah istilah formal untuk sampah dibandingkan dengan garbage, rubbish, ataupun trash.

e. Waste adalah istilah umum untuk sampah dalam jumlah besar seperti pada pabrik, atau juga untuk merujuk pada kotoran manusia. Kita bisa juga menyebutnya dengan limbah.

f. Orang Inggris menggunakan istilah tempat sampah dengan “dustbin” sedangkan orang Amerika dengan “garbage can” untuk sampah basah dan “trash can” untuk sampah kering. Sedangkan tempat sampah di tempat publik disebut dengan “litter bin”

30/12/2019

14/10/2019

MULTILINGUAL CHILDREN - NATURAL BORN INTERPRETERS?
(Congrestolken)

Many people assume that you have to have grown up speaking more than one language to become an interpreter. While there are many interpreters who do have more than one native language, the majority of conference interpreters do not. As a matter of fact, growing up in a multilingual environment does not necessarily make you prime interpreter material.

Multilinguals routinely switch languages depending on the situation they are in, but many never have to establish a connection between their languages. On the contrary - their brains are actually used to suppressing the language(s) not spoken at a particular time to allow for the language of the current conversation to be produced fluently. So when they hear something in one of their languages, their brain does not automatically present them with the equivalent in their other languages. However, this is exactly what you want your brain to do when you are an interpreter. And you want this process to happen as quickly as possible, since any searching for the right word will slow you down and will make interpreting feel like a huge and exhausting effort. You want your brain to be wired for interpreting so that everything you hear pops up in the other language immediately.

When you only have one native language, any foreign language you add to your repertoire is automatically connected to your native language as you learn the new words one by one. “Car” gets connected to “Auto” when you are learning German, or to “voiture” when it is French you want to master. The new language is absorbed by your brain on the basis of your native language and cannot be disconnected from it. Your brain gets used to producing these pairs at lightning speed. Non-multilinguals with a knack for foreign languages can therefore become excellent interpreters. As can multilinguals who are used to connecting their languages, of course.

The good news is that the human brain is very flexible and can be trained to establish new connections all the time. This is what interpreters wanting to add another working language need to do. Once they have mastered the new language they will have to practice interpreting from it to increase the speed at which their brain presents them with the respective words in the target language. By learning the language they have established a railroad track between the words, as it were. They now need to gather experience in order to turn the track into a high-speed line. (*)

29/06/2019

THE INTERPRETING PROCESS

*Constanza Herrero - Project Manager & Interpreter at Stillman Translations - Her experience interpreting Susan Dawson at Talent Tech.

The interpreting process begins from the very first with the client and the speaker. The result of it can clearly be seen at the moment the job takes place, but there is a whole work carried out before, which is the key to .

In the first place, it is important –so long as possible– to open the dialogue with the speaker or client to get to know who they are, what is their job, where they live, and so on. In short, the goal is getting familiar with their sociocultural context because, in the end, the interpreter will embody such a person. Secondly, it is crucial to study the material (if any provided at all) that will be the subject of the interpretation. If one does not do so, hardy will one be able to look up words (specific vocabulary, for instance) while interpreting.

Regarding the challenges, I can say one of the greatest challenges is “to be in the speaker’s mind,” to call it in some way. Many times, speakers make references to their everyday life, reason why it is very important to capture these statements immediately and transmit their meaning to the recipient. Also, speakers may take some things for granted which are not so for the public. Interpreting calls for shrewdness.

The most gratifying thing about this job is to see both sides (the speaker and the recipient) happy and satisfied to be able to understand each other. The most complex thing is to adapt to the speaker, to be so precise as possible regarding without changing the dynamics and rhythm of the talk, and to transmit emotions, feelings, not just the spoken words.

The keys to an accurate interpretation are:

A previous study of the work material
Being in contact (so long as possible) with the speaker before interpreting him/her.
Remaining calm; nerves are never good friends
Speaking with a loud and clear voice; the public will, in the end, get and understand what the interpreter says.
If necessary, making clarifying questions to the speaker during the interpreting; it is never wrong to ask, but do not use that resource in excess
Depending on the place, it is advisable to test the sound and/or make sure one can clearly listen to the speaker
Interpreting not only what the speaker says, but also their tone of voice, emphases, and movements.
The experience with Susan Dawson was excellent. Since the very moment we met, I asked her some questions and I made sure I correctly understood some points of the topic she would talk about. In fact, there were some last-minute changes, the reason why it was good meeting her before the talk. I, as an interpreter, could request her something: to try to make short statements so that I would not miss a word of her speaking. Very kindly, she agreed on that and made her best effort to do so. That speaks of her being flexible and open. For the second talk I interpreted for her, she told me some extra things she would say that were not in the notes sent to me. She knew I had to get ready for that and shared so with me. That is .

12/06/2019

Dear Readers, Kalian tentu sudah tidak asing lagi d**g dengan kata-kata mutiara ataupun peribahasa/ pepatah? Nah sekarang kita akan membahasnya dalam Bahasa Inggris, yang disebut dengan Proverbs. PustakaBahasaInggris.com - Artikel hari

18/03/2019

Translation is not a matter of words only; it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture.
(Anthony Burgess)
Derived from a Latin word, translation means “to carry across”. Translation is not perceived today as a process of transmitting knowledge or information from one language into another but it includes integration of the cultural aspect in writing as well, which involves great technical expertise.(*)

10/03/2019

Where Freelance Translators Can Find New Clients: Three Proven Strategies
(Sherif Abuzid)

Finding new clients for any business is not an easy task, but it is not an impossible mission. Without clients, no one can have a real business. And without more clients, any business will fail to survive the unexpected changes of any market. Here are some tested strategies you can use to find new c...

14/02/2019

7 Things a Chief Interpreter Wishes You Knew
(Ewandro Magalhaes)

There are arguably some disadvantages to being a chief interpreter. One doesn’t get to interpret as often. One has a clock to punch, reports to write, long staff meetings to sit through, and scores of managerial chores that are not necessarily fun. And while one free-rides occasionally on collective success, failure is no longer circumscribed to one’s own mistakes. If an interpreter on my team falls flat on her face, I have a lot of explaining to do.

Obviously, the job comes with many perks. You are suddenly cleared into circles you did not know existed, where guidelines are discussed and decisions are made that have a direct impact on the overall pace of progress in the industry. The opportunity to help shape the future is real. And did I mention the welcome promise of a steady income to weather the seasonality of freelancing?

But beyond the evanescent elite membership privileges and pecuniary incentives, what I like most about the job is the amazing learning experience it provides. Being on the other side of the counter brings a completely different perspective, but I still know full well what it is like to be a freelancer. The position taught me a lot about diversity and human nature, while revealing many attributes of my own personality, some reassuring and some I would rather sweep under the rug.

Just a few years into the job, I realized many things I wish I had known in my days as a freelancer. Knowing then what I do now would have greatly improved my performance and earned me an extra buck in the process. So, for the benefit of those interpreters who do not aspire to become a chief interpreter, I thought I would share some important lessons learned along my professional journey.

1. Quality is a package
One’s interpreting abilities, accuracy, and smooth delivery rank high up on any chief interpreter’s checklist. But so do punctuality, teamwork skills, flexibility, and, most importantly, manners—both in and out of the booth. The best interpreters are the ones who get the job done unassumingly while making it easier for everyone to do the same, including the chief. They work diligently on their languages as well as their people skills. By contrast, arrogant, over demanding colleagues make it all about themselves and risk having relative gains in performance overcast by the toxic atmosphere they end up creating. All things considered, I guess any chief interpreter would prefer a really good interpreter with a great attitude over an excellent interpreter with a poor attitude.

Take-home point: be good, but be nice.

2. Sell the steak, not the sizzle
You have every reason to be proud of your skills and achievements. You worked hard on yourself and attained a reputation as a reliable, competent linguist. You interpreted for J.K. Rowling, Harry and Dumbledore, and got a standing ovation at Hogwarts. Kudos to you! Your VIP list will earn you extra credits with a prospective client and is certain to be a sensation among your Facebook friends.

Yet being on a first-name basis with Lord Voldemort does little to impress chief interpreters. We’ve been around the block once or twice on that broom, too, and we can quickly see through the self promotion blabber. To really leave a mark, review the attributes discussed in the previous section. Prepare and deliver as a dependable professional. Get in, get it done, and get out. Do so consistently and let your work speak for itself.

Take-home points: drop the hocus pocus.

3. Stop the fusillade of questions
There are some valid questions an interpreter might consider asking before an assignment if the requirements have not been communicated effectively by the chief interpreter. Dropping a line to flag an omission or to seek clarification on the venue, the time, or the subject matter shows professionalism and conscientiousness. Overdoing it will convey the opposite impression, though, and you will come across as an inexperienced or, worse, insecure interpreter. If you must ask a few questions, here’s a quick guide to getting the information you need in a manner that conveys professional competence.

Think of what you want to ask and then mentally refine the list.
Strike out any questions you might find the answers to somewhere else. I have no idea what the weather will be like in Geneva next week.
Drop the awkward requests. No, I can’tget you a window seat on your upcoming trip to Moscow. Also, refrain from asking questions to which answers have been promised. (“You said the program would be forthcoming. Any chance I could have it now?”)
Do not ask questions a chief interpreter might prefer not to answer, like who your booth mate is going to be or why you have not been assigned to interpret at the closing ceremony. You may end up with a vague answer or one you do not want to hear.
Most importantly, in the event you receive a notification canceling the assignment, be careful not to ask for reasons based on unproven assumptions. (“Did I do anything wrong?”) Rather, reply with a polite and assertive note to acknowledge the cancellation and reiterate your willingness to be of assistance a second time around.
If you need to rely on e-mail, please keep message traffic to a minimum. E-mail is an incredibly time-consuming tool. Keep your notes short. Don’t “reply to all” and by all means never bcc anyone. Present all relevant concerns in a single e-mail and make it such that no reply is necessary (“If I don’t hear from you by Monday, I’ll assume …”).

Take home point: do not seek and ye shall find!

4. Ask and you shall receive
Conference interpreting is seasonal by definition. Conferences follow a predictable ebb and flow pattern. Few people will be willing to meet over the holiday season, and come August, it will be too damned hot (or cold) to talk about anything. You might as well close the talk shop for a good 30 days and be out playing golf or skiing.

Regardless of how good you are, there will eventually be unwanted holes in your calendar. That is just a fact of life; a freelancer’s life, anyway. And somewhere along the line you will have to sacrifice a full week of meetings for a conflicting two-day conference. While this situation just has to be accepted, that does not mean you have to take it lying down.

During the low tides, most interpreters respond passively, sitting by the telephone with their fingers crossed and wondering why it will not ring. They’re either too shy or too proud to make their availability known, and only a few will break the inertia and ask their employers for work. Guess what? These selected few who take initiative are the reason your telephone is not ringing.

There’s nothing wrong with flagging your readiness to an employer. The trick is doing it without imposition. Don’t ask funny questions and don’t kiss up. Simply reiterate your willingness and availability in a straightforward e-mail with no attachments. You’re not begging for work. You’re simply presenting yourself as a viable option. In so doing, you increase your chances of landing another contract while helping the chief interpreter in the process.

Take-home point: out of sight, out of mind.

5. Nobody likes whiners
In an ideal world, presenters speak slowly, bring extra hard copies of their presentations, and throw candies to interpreters from behind the podium. Schedules are announced in advance and kept unchanged. Travel conditions are great, the sound system works to perfection, and everyone around you is cool, calm, and collected. But save for Shangri-la, that is certainly not the norm anywhere, and the ensuing uncertainties often drive interpreters to the edge.

Some colleagues react by going into chronic whining mode. Their frustration mounts and is often misdirected at teammates or the client. This leads to poor team spirit and puts people off fast. As a conscientious colleague, you will want to keep a constructive attitude despite any perceived risks and would do well to put the client first.

Be transparent. Address problems directly and be sure to target behavior, rather than people. Be part of the solution or be neutral. Not getting in the way is sometimes the greatest help of all and the kindest thing to do. Cursing the darkness may feel good and temporarily appease your anxiety, but lighting a candle works a lot better for all concerned.

Take-home points: reach for those matches but don’t put oil in the fire.

6. Appreciation goes a long way, both ways
The words “thank you” are among the first and last ones to ever come out of an interpreter’s mouth. They are also the first and last words interpreters will hear as speakers open and close their talks. Repetition alone should have by now engraved in our brains the self-evident truth that appreciation ought to precede and succeed all of our actions. Sadly, however, that awareness is lost to many among us, and many interpreters leave those powerful words unsaid.

These colleagues waste a golden opportunity to experience a superior emotion and the promise of more good things to come. They overlook and eventually banalize the many blessings involved in bringing another day of work to fruition. They deny themselves the gift of joy and snap back into anxious anticipation for what tomorrow will bring. And tomorrow keeps bringing more of the same.

According to most ancient traditions, the universe runs on thought-forms and feelings, and what we call reality is a mere reflection of what we project. In less esoteric lingo, science points in the same direction with expectations dictating results in high-level experiments in physics. Whether or not you believe in the magnetic pull of gratitude, adopting a more appreciative stance is guaranteed to make you happier. It will also bring you more jobs and ultimately money.

Appreciation acknowledges the circumstances that bring freelancers and employers together, mindful that both parties could have chosen otherwise. Appreciation operates from the premise that both sides want to get it right. Appreciation acknowledges one’s honest efforts, albeit imperfect, as steps in the right direction. It makes visible and reinforces that which need not be fixed. It feeds back on itself and keeps mutually appreciative players engaged in a long, self-sustaining virtuous cycle.

Consider increasing your thankfulness. Train yourself to feel grateful for—not entitled to—the offers of work you get. Acknowledge them with gratitude or decline with grace. Reinforce the behavior you want to see more of. Make it a habit to send a thank-you note to those who help you materialize the wonderful life you create for yourself in your chosen field. Do it with conviction yet without the expectation of receiving anything in return. No need to get carried away or say much. Those two simple words will do.

Take-home point: just say the words.

7. It’s not about you
Interpreting is a communications business. As an interpreter, you are part of a broader conversation, and complete neutrality remains a lofty yet elusive aspiration. Try as you might, you can’t help but bring into the picture some of your true essence. It will show through in your intonation, your word choice, and even the length of your pauses. You’re certainly not at liberty to share your opinions in the booth, but the interaction will be different because of you. That’s okay, but only as long as you can shift the focus away from you.

You’re not a machine. Think communicate, rather than interpret, and do not be afraid to contribute the attributes that make you a unique enabler. But remember that good communicators make it all about their interlocutors. Good interpreters take genuine interest in those on the receiving end.