Being able to converse in both English and in Spanish at a native level while living in a Spanish-speaking country with many English-speaking people is often amusing because of the following 10 misconceptions.
Misconception 1: My main job at any given place is to “translate”.
I receive an unending stream of requests to “translate” things from one language to the other. Being the gracious (and unspeakably humble) person I am, I usually answer with “but of course”, while facetiously suggesting to myself that I would enjoy “translating” something because of the intense amount of “interpreting” I do daily. Maybe this is slightly technical and legalistic, but there is, indeed, a difference between “translating” and “interpreting” (although, granted, they are skills that go together); “translating” is for the written word, “interpreting” for the spoken. Since I have not once sat down to change written words at a minstry through the entire time I have been here, I have not “translated” once.
Misconception 2: A good interpretation is easy to assess
It is interesting –and a litle ironic– that people that do not speak the other language tend to say “that was a good translation” when he or she has no idea wether or not I faithfully rendered what the original speaker said (plus, people ALWAYS say “translation” so I am always tempted to correct him or her, but it would be pedantic because the person is trying to encourage me, so I refrain). But, if he or she really understood my translation, he or she would have no use for me in the first place, and would just translate for himself or herself. Honestly, I think that the only way to judge the quality of my interpretation is in the hands of people who are likewise bilingual, but then, they are often occupied with interpreting for others or in their own ministry, so I usually don’t know how well I did because I have no point of reference outside of myself.
Misconception 3: English is gibberish.
It seems painfully obvious, but I must address it because the children (and some adults) will, at any given ministry site, begin to spout a stream of fluent gibberish, say they are speaking “English”, and are sometimes confused and indignant when we don´t understand what they are saying
Misconception 4: Google Translate is as functional as an interpreter
Simply put; AN INTERPRETER IS NOT A HUMAN VERSION OF GOOGLE TRANSLATE, GOOGLE TRANSLATE IS A COMPUTERIZED (DUMB) VERSION OF AN INTERPRETER. Google translate is a wonderful tool when you don’t want to pay for sophisticated translating software, or when you simply don’t have an interpreter, but I promise that when a word means multiple things in the original language, Google Translate will tweak your message and make it come out strange in the target language. Also, Google Translate is terrible at grammar and will often leave words in their original order. Finally, because it is a program, Google Translate can never convey the same depth of emotion as a good interpreter can.
Misconception 5: Since I grew up bilingual, interpreting is easy
In fact, the opposite is true, interpreting is mentally exhausting because, in a split second, I am required to understand both the meaning and the connotation of multiple words in one language, what words have the same meaning and connotation in the other language, word syntax, and sentence flow, not to mention hand gestures and body language, second after second until the seconds strech into long hours with very few breaks.
Misconception 6: I hate being called over to interpret
However, as exhausting as interpreting is, the strange thing is that I thrive on it. This may sound strange, but I love interpreting. Maybe this love is caused by my feeling of somehow bullying both of my mother toungues into playing nicely together, or maybe because it’s a way to be a cultural bridge, or maybe because through this ability I can prove that the Gospel or Christ transcends language, or maybe I love to interpret because I simply relish the illusion of me being needed. Whatever the reason, the “fried” feeling in my brain at the end of the day tells me that I tried my best to serve God with what skills I have.
Misconception 7: Adding “ation” to a Spanish word makes it an English word
Need I address it?
Misconception 8: You can remember word or phrase by just saying it once
I have gotten a never ending torrent of questions about “how do you say ____ in English/Spanish?”. I answer, and then soon afterwards, the same person asks me the same question. While I appreciate the intent of learning, this repetition is somewhat annoying and ultimately useles because the person is guaranteed to forget the word or the phrase. In stead, the person should either try to use the word or prhrase 21 times in context, or to simply write it down somewhere.
Misconception 9: An interpreter is strictly necessary
In all candor, I came to the squad thinking that interpreters were srictly necessary for people of different cultures to interact, but this is not fully true. Yes, there are deep truths that need someone to transmit through language, but there are so many other ways to show love (i.e. sign language, songs, pidgin Spanish, easy games, etc.) that interpretation is often rendered superfluous.
Misconception 10: I have to interpret perfectly
I strive for perfection in everything I do, so when I stumble on my words, need clarification, or simply forget the correct word to transmit, I tend to beat myself up about it. However, God does not seek for me to be perfect, He only asks that I try my best and allow His Holy Spirit to finish the work of my words.
Bonus Misconception: Idioms are perfectly fine
Idioms, by their nature, DO NOT TRANSLATE WELL. They simply don’t, so for your interpreter’s sake, please DO NOT use idioms without giving him or her a ten-minute warning, if then.
