I've found renewed energy in my work by examining a factor that had been a source of frustration: the rise of global English and the subsequent decrease of work in the English booth.
Training opportunities abound and AIIC groups and regions are more involved than ever before.
New Year is traditionally a time for taking stock: AIIC, with its 2685 members across the world, should be no exception.
There is no need to make minute distinction between working in a booth inside a conference hall or television studio, or doing consecutive for a negotiation, a dinner speech or an individual in whatever setting. It's all interpreting.
Interpreters know that thought is not always linear and well organized. How often we encountered a chaotic speaker who never makes a full stop before turning right, left or perhaps full-circle … and then speeding off again!
Mastery of the medium leads to peak performance - and sometimes more.
Translation and interpretation are about about context, message, sense; it's not just a matter of words.
Recalling our history should move from celebrating notable achievements to defending all translators and interpreters who face problems today.
This issue revolves around the senses – how we use them, how we can take care of them, even how we might go beyond them in difficult situations.
Many would say that one’s 50s is hardly the prime of life, but those who have passed the half-century mark would hardly agree. AIIC started to celebrate its birthday a bit early – it won’t officially turn fifty until November – with the recent assembly in Porto - and except for a few squeaky joints, showed that maturity has its advantages.
How interpreters organize on the private market, what staff interpreters are up to, and a bit of humor featured in this issue of the AIIC webzine.