ã Renata Korpak PhD MIL
You may want to read this because you plan a meeting with a foreign client, or you are invited to such a meeting. You may be hosting an international conference. A guest from Poland or the Czech Republic may be arriving to take part in your training seminar... So where do we start? There is a saying most business people know: “Buy in your own language, sell in theirs“ – and I think it is vital. You don’t want to spoil your deal with a breakdown in communication, and neither do you want to appear unprofessional. So in order to be sure about quality when talking to your Czech or Polish guest(s), it is best to hire an interpreter, unless of course you’re absolutely certain that they speak perfect English. But isn’t this extra person going to be an unnecessary hassle?
It is better to have an interpreter at hand
We all know how things that may seem almost trivial at first can make or break a deal. Whether just a short meeting or long negotiations with a set agenda, once you need to talk business, it’s good to be 100% sure about seamless communication. Even if your Czech or Polish contact speaks enough English to agree on a meeting over the phone and then converses pleasantly over dinner, the situation may change once you sit down to a business meeting. Not only may his way of putting things be unclear to you – you may be left puzzled about how much s/he actually understood!
An interpreter will be flexible and, if you and your partner get on smoothly for parts of the meeting, only “cut in“ when the conversation gets more complex and you really need him/her. When you speak, s/he can whisper into your guest’s ear what is being said without interrupting the flow. Another advantage of consecutive interpreting , especially in tricky negotiations, is the extra time it gives you to think about your answers when things are being repeated in the other language.
When contacting an interpreter about a meeting, do ask for advice about how the foreign side may perceive the set-up, the agenda etc., or if you need to know how to pronounce your guest’s name. I am sure s/he will be pleased to help! I definitely will!
The same applies if you travel to the Czech Republic or to Poland: hire an experienced consecutive interpreter who can also provide whispered interpreting, and can give you a “country briefing” tailored to your needs beforehand.
How to plan conferences and training courses
When a meeting is being interpreted consecutively throughout – i.e. the interpreter repeats what everyone says in the other language – the meeting will, logically, take twice as long. This is not feasible during conferences or training sessions: the best solution therefore is to go for simultaneous interpreting. A simultaneous interpreter listens and speaks at the same time, sitting in a booth with earphones on. Due to pressure, simultaneous interpreters work in pairs, taking turns every 15-20 mins. The price for this very practical arrangement is, understandably, higher compared to a consecutive interpreter: not only do you need two of them, you also need the equipment. But bear in mind that a simultaneously interpreted event is significantly more prestigious and attracts more attention, presenting you as a professional who highly values perfect communication.
I can organise all necessary Polish or Czech simultaneous interpreting arrangements for you.
How to find a good interpreter
If your conference, training session or meeting involves more than just one or two pairs of languages, it’s best to use an agency. Make sure first that they have a track record in organising such events and possibly obtain more information (even CVs) on the interpreters involved. Do ring around – prices vary, but be aware that the cheapest agency may not always know what they are doing and is best avoided.
I can advise you on good interpreting agencies if you wish.
If you only need one consecutive interpreter – or two simultaneous ones for one booth – you can find them direct, saving up to 40% in fees. In the UK, it is best to go for a member of one of the professional bodies – like the IOL (Institute of Linguists) or AIIC (International Association of Conference Interpreters - its members specialise in simultaneous interpreting but will sometimes only interpret in one direction, i.e. only into English). In Poland, there is STP (Stowarzyszenie Tlumaczy Polskich), while the Czech Republic & Slovakia have JTP (Jednota tlumocniku a prekladatelu). All these organisations have directories, even though the Czech and Polish ones are not yet accessible over the Web.
Apart from the financial benefit, another advantage of direct hire is personal contact with the interpreter(s) which allows you to assess their experience, whether they’ll fit well into your event and how flexible they are willing to be in the face of last-minute changes or rearrangements.
Six steps for a good result
Ø Start looking for an interpreter as soon as you know you’ll need one – you will have more choice in who you hire. Mention some key buzzwords on the phone and see how s/he feels about them
Ø It’s a good idea to discuss the venue and possibly take advice on the most suitable types of interpretation and needs of equipment before making final arrangements
Ø Always brief your interpreter(s) well, and in advance of the event. Start by giving them your company’s web address or sending them your company magazine. Interpreters have to change their working environment literally from one day to another, so it is crucial for them to get to know well the key specialist vocabulary of your company, however banal it may seem to you
Ø If there will be prepared speeches, always try to provide the interpreter(s) with them in advance. If no text is available, overheads or key points will do. You get huge “value added” in exchange for that!
Ø Brief the speakers. Ask them not to speed up if reading their presentation, and not to use extremely long, convoluted sentences! When you are being interpreted simultaneously, “draw breath” between sentences to allow the interpreters to catch up. If you have to use abbreviations, always first spell out loud what they stand for – they may not exist in the other language. Avoid company jargon and literary or poetic quotes or jokes which you haven’t provided the interpreter(s) with in advance.
Ø Remember that the interpreter’s sitting position must be in good view of all transparencies and screens, and such that s/he is heard well and can hear everybody – if in doubt, ask him/her (or the technician who installs the equipment) for advice.
Once you have found an interpreter, or two, who suit you, stick with them. They will truly become your second voice.
You will be pleased to see how fluent your “double acts” will get – your listeners will stop noticing that you are being interpreted!
Good luck!
email me with your requirements
ã Renata Korpak PhD MIL
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NOT my translations And finally....some useful links
Renata Korpak PhD
Member of the Institute of Linguists
11 Grand Avenue
Hove, East Sussex BN3 2LF, UK
Tel./fax +44 (0) 1273 772 001
Mobile tel. +44 (0) 7703 627 279
korpak@nildram.co.uk