Not to be lost in translation

By Enrique Buchichio
ICAE

One of the main tasks during the upcoming ICAE VIII World Assembly, to be held in Malmö, Sweden, from 14-17 June will be to assure a good and efficient translation in order to facilitate communication between participants from different parts of the world. Voluntary interpreters will be available adding their solidarity in everyone’s benefit. To know more details about this we talked with Carolina Clavier, who will be one of the event’s translators.

How many interpreters will be working and how are you preparing yourselves for the ICAE World Assembly?
We don’t know yet the exact number of voluntary interpreters that will be working at the event; we are various who signed already from different parts of the world and we hope that many more will join us in the coming days. It is very important that everyone who can offer voluntary interpretation could join us since there are always unexpected situations in an event like this. Preparation in itself is very easy, personally I’m following the virtual assembly (seminar), which helps me in knowing every subject that will be addressed; it is also very helpful to read some documents (all available on the ICAE website) on Millennium Goals, the FISC, CONFINTEA VI.

What languages will you be translating and how many activities will be covered by voluntary interpreters?
We will be working in four languages: Sweden, French, English and Spanish. During plenaries will be always interpretation in those four languages; during the parallel activities will also be translation, although it will not be always possible to have the four languages available, but we do are foreseeing that we can all participate in as many events as possible. In other words, at any time will be an event in one of the four said languages. Besides, we as voluntary interpreters will be clearly identified, so if any participant wants to attend a specific event which is not translated in his or her language, that person can approach any of the interpreters and ask for assistance at the moment. It is also very important to have into account that although during the event the four languages will be covered, help from any other interpreter in other languages (for instance, Portuguese) would be very valuable since we are expecting to have a really diverse attendance.

Is it usual to have this kind of voluntary interpretation in civil society events? Why do you think is important to have this kind of solidarity in an event like the Assembly?
Absolutely. In this kind of events, as well as in forums and meetings it is very usual to have voluntary interpreters. Personally, I think that this kind of event has a very special atmosphere where volunteering and solidarity play a very important role. To be in the same place with people from all over the world, at the same time, addressing issues of common interest and being a living part of this process is a very gratifying experience. The fact of being able to participate in an event called “A world worth living in” is in itself enriching and enjoyable; it is indescribable to be an active part and to really make a contribution; that actually is “from rhetoric to action”. At the same time, voluntary interpretation also has a counterpart which is the attendance; for us to be able to do a good job we need the cooperation and patience from everyone and the support from organizers and participants as well.

If you want to be a voluntary interpreter at the ICAE World Assembly please contact: icaeinterpreter@gmail.com