The Human Side of Interpreting
March 4, 2022
It is well-known that one of the most challenging aspects of the interpreting profession can be staying impartial and objective to ensure that the communication remains solely between the speaker and listener. A complex emotional reaction from the interpreter can compromise his or her delivery and may be perceived as breaking the professional ethics code of neutrality.
Although professional linguists are extensively trained in the ethical responsibility of impartiality and keeping a professional distance, it can sometimes be challenging to remain impartial in difficult conversations. That is especially true when the news delivered has to do with a highly emotional subject like the Russian invasion of Ukraine that took place last week.
A number of clips have surfaced where an interpreter can be heard breaking down in tears while translating a message from the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The interpreter working for the German newspaper Welt was relaying the Ukrainian leader’s address when she was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.
It is necessary to remember that, even though interpreters are highly trained and follow a strict code of ethics, interpreters are human too.
As Zelensky ended with “Glory to Ukraine”, the interpreter could be heard breaking down in tears and apologizing to the audience. She later posted an emotional message on Twitter:
“I’m a conference interpreter, I interpret 10 hrs peace talks. But today live on German TV I couldn’t finish interpreting Zelensky, during his last words I broke into tears,” she wrote. “I love you all, my fellow Ukrainians.”
After a weekend of intense, often tragic news out of Eastern Europe, few blamed the interpreter. Her apology on Twitter was met with an outpouring of support.
“You interpreted with more than words,” wrote Twitter user CaliforniaHeartBavariaHome in reply. “And that was completely appropriate. Many cried with you this morning. You did not need to apologize.”
At CCI Group, we condemn the Russian Federation’s military invasion of Ukraine and we fully support the people of Ukraine during these extremely difficult times.
