How do you speak through an interpreter?
- There are dos and don'ts to follow when speaking through an interpreter.
- Learn to collaborate with interpreters, from pre-presentation preparations to maintaining audience engagement.
- Embrace the challenges and rewards of using translators, and remember to express appreciation to that person for helping you communicate.
Tips for using translators during mission trips or other occasions
Having to speak through a translator or interpreter can be a good experience . . . or it
can be a frustrating one.
Cross-cultural experiences: Speaking or preaching when listeners need your words
translated into another language
There are more than 6,000 languages spoken throughout the world. Thus, even a very
multi-lingual person will know only a few of them. While we say English is widely spoken, there
are billions of people in the world who do not know it. So, the chances of your needing an
interpreter on your next overseas mission trip are fairly high!
Using an interpreter in cross-cultural Christian mission
If you are going to be speaking with the help of an interpreter, heed these 12 guidelines:
- Ahead of time
- 1. Pray with your interpreter beforehand. Prayer has a way of bonding people together.
2. Go over scripture passages and main points with your translator beforehand. That gives
your interpreter time to think about how to express what you plan to say.
3. Familiarize yourself with the basic cultural norms of the people to whom you will be speaking so
you can be culturally sensitive.
- During your presentation
- 1. Speak in complete thoughts. Grammar and syntax vary from language to language. So,
unless you give a complete thought, you can leave an interpreter hanging and unsure of which
direction to go in terms of translating.
2. Avoid complex sentences and parenthetical "rabbit trails." Translators will forget parts of
complex sentences. Audiences will be confused by the "rabbit trails."
3. Realize that translators occasionally must backtrack to clarify something.
4. Do not recite poems. It is impossible to translate poetry "on the fly."
5. Avoid using slang words and idiomatic expressions.
6. Realize that humor, which depends on specific words, likely will not translate well.
7. Be visual. Draw word pictures.
8. When you pause for translation, maintain eye contact with the audience rather than turning to
watch your interpreter. Your goal is to speak to the audience and not to the translator.
- When You Are Finished
- Warmly thank your translator. Apologize for the fact that you did not know the
heart language of the listeners. Express appreciation for the fact that interpreters generally
expend more mental energy than do the speakers they are translating.
-- Howard Culbertson,
Afterword
Speaking through a translator requires clear and concise communication coupled with
patience and understanding. Begin by organizing your thoughts and messages into
straightforward, easily translatable phrases. Speak at a moderate pace so the translator can
accurately interpret your words. Maintain eye contact and engage with the person or audience
you're addressing (rather than the translator). Respect cultural nuances and be open to
clarifications or repetitions that may be needed. Avoid using idiomatic expressions or
colloquialisms since they may not translate well. Lastly, express gratitude to both the translator
and your audience for their cooperation and understanding.
Five Bad Things People Do When Speaking through an Interpreter
Five pitfalls that can devolve into miscommunication or inefficiency when using a translator or
interpreter:
- Speaking Too Quickly or in Long Paragraphs:
Rapid speech or delivering information in long, complex sentences makes it difficult for an
interpreter to translate accurately. The interpreter might miss key points or struggle to convey the
message clearly. Speaking in short, clear sentences gives the interpreter time to process and
translate effectively.
- Using Jargon, Idioms, or Cultural References:
Jargon, idiomatic expressions, or culturally-tied references may not have direct translations in another
language. This can lead to confusion or misinterpretation if the interpreter cannot find an
equivalent expression in the target language.
- Interrupting or Talking Over the Interpreter:
Interrupting interpreters while they are speaking can break the flow of communication, causing
confusion and frustration for both the interpreter and the audience. Allow the interpreter to finish
translating before continuing.
- Ignoring the Interpreter's Role: Speaking directly to
the interpreter instead of the person you are communicating with or making side comments to the
interpreter undermines the communication process. Always direct your speech to the person you
are trying to communicate with, not the interpreter. Treat the interpreter as invisible.
- Failing to Brief the Interpreter Beforehand: Not providing the interpreter with context, background information, or specific terminology can
result in misunderstandings. Briefing interpreters beforehand allows them to prepare and lay the groundwork for a good translation.
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