THE INTERPRETER-TRANSLATION TRAINING IN THE 90’S

It was long time ago, but not so long to forget.

I was sitting next to the Interpreter translator trainer- to her left.

Early 90s’, cabin translators- simultaneous- translation mandatory training.

Languages: Italian, English and French.

Mandatory translation from the other language to your native language only.

Cabin with handset, plugged into your ears. Obsolete recording method: tapes.

The trainer cooperated as free-lance for the European Community.

Married, expecting a child ready to leave for Brussels. Sicilian born, and raised.

‘’Read the foreign language text first twice aloud twice’’

‘’Go into the cabin and plug your headset into your ears and translate into your native

language’’

You had to listen and translate.

Sicilian, blond and blue eyes teacher. International Law degree.

Main topics: International Law, Politics and Economics. Emotions.

A classroom half full of students of all ages. Maily women and 2 males- 2 gays.

Very positive good relationships.   

Francesca- I remember her so well. Committed to her job- leaving for Brussels 6 month

pregnancy- a boy.

Only 2 chances had in International Conference held in the Sicilian Capital.

Palermo’s mayor and the Spanish and French labour market ministers.

Very nervous, 2 important events on the row.

The LABOUR MARKET PROBLEM IN EUROPE, title of the 3 day International conference.

Directions: ‘’dress up, skirt, elegant shirt, do your hair, and light make up’’.

I remember that day so well: A car escorted by the police came to pick me up.

I was sweating, my hands were sweating- nervous. Deep breath, I entered the cabin.

THE LABOUR MARKET PROBLEMS IN EUROPE AND THE LAW APPLIED TO IT.

Speakers: Palermo’s mayor, the Minister of Spain and France of labour.

Obliged to shake hands.

Palermo’s Mayor: ‘’go into the cabin, do the needful and good luck’’.

I was sweating, nervous- awful headache. Following another 4-day conference same content:

TH PROBLEMS OF LABOUR MARKET IN EUROPE AND UNEPLOYMENT.

Memories, memories: a huge lunch at the City Hall, sitting next to the Spanish Labour Minister who spoke

no word of Italian. The French one understood, but managed a very bad English.

NO AI help.

Sophisticated food-good drinks.  They used to pour more and wine into my glass.

I felt dizzy.

I was strained, mentally strained by the experience- I will never forget.

I still remember direct comments from the French and Spanish:sharp, fast

thinking, good shaped body but tense face expression. Dark wide eyes, tense.

The early 90’s. 1993. I still remember those 2 conferences.

A fast ice cream and stroll in Monreale, monuments and historical treasures.

A present: a lottery ticket that they hoped I could win.

Francesca asked me about the experience- leaving for Brussels, delivery due in 3 months.

I still remember that stroll, on foot, not everybody in good smiling mood, only Palermo’s Mayor

was.

THE CONFERENCE: THE PROBLEMS OF LABOUR MARKET IN EUROPE.

2^ND : THE PROBLEMS OF LABOUR MARKET IN EUROPE AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE MEDITERRENEAN AREA.

Interpreter, hard job to achieve and to pursue, unless employed, very few organizations do that.

Documents were translated by translators.

I was supposed to do the spoken part, me and another.

Listen and translate simultaneously.  You do not grasp some words?

Say it in a different way, but keep the meaning, the deepest one.

NEVER CHANGE THE MEANING OF A SENTENCE, SAY IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY. MAIN LANGUAGE?

YOURS.

SWEATING, SWEATING, NEVER MET SOME MANY INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE AT ONCE.

The interpreter training. In which language does your brain work?

Nut and pistacchio ice cream with the Labour Minister at the end.

That’s the taste  I still do have.