The scope of language services has no limit. Wherever there is a need for communication that has been cut short by the existence of two or more languages, there will be room for mediation with a translation professional. This task not only takes place through writing, i.e., translation itself, but it can also be performed visually (sign language interpretation) and audibly, which is the specific framework for interpretation. Although its aim is essentially the same (reproduce what has been expressed in a first language system in a second one), the truth is that there is a notable difference between the practices associated with each type of activity and the context behind the need for these services, the expectations of clients, the technology used and the skills that professionals supposedly have. In fact, translation and interpretation are usually considered to be two separate business activities and two different specialties within the language services industry. A professional can be a good translator but fail to demonstrate the same mastery of skills when interpreting, and vice versa. That is why we must bear in mind these differences when analyzing the types of profiles required for each task. Moreover, it is important to understand the daily work of professionals and the effect of these tasks on them.
With regards to interpretation, significant research has been conducted on its impact on the mental health of interpreters when they provide language services directly to the people who need them. Interpreters perform translations orally in a variety of circumstances which, to a greater or lesser extent, imply close contact with those for whom said interpretation is intended. On the one hand, there are interpretations in which one single interpreter translates a speaker’s presentation for one or more people who listen to it through a device, such as headphones. On the other hand, there are interpretations in which interpreters have a closer relationship with their audience, such as telephone interpretations in which direct dialogue is established between the two interlocutors, or interpretations that require interpreters to be on site, meaning that they often have to travel to the relevant locations to help different people or accompany the concerned parties for a period of time.
In this multidisciplinary context of interpretation, closely linked to interpersonal relationships when language assistance is being offered, certain situations have been shown to greatly affect particular aspects of the mental health of interpreters in the long term. Of course, one of the most obvious ones is stress, which happens in all professional activities and in any aspect of life. Unlike translation, interpretation has a number of stress triggers, such as the uncertainty of not always knowing the full message to be transmitted, which generates insecurity when it comes to transferability. Likewise, the means available to language professionals are not always the most suitable (booths that do not work, inefficient communication with clients prior to the event, etc.), so this often generates a state of unfamiliarity that works against good practices in the interpretation sector. To resolve these issues, associations and other parties involved in this professional activity are already taking action to raise awareness among both clients who hire interpreting services and interpreters themselves, helping them learn how to manage their feelings.
Nevertheless, the impact felt by interpreters who provide language services in conflict situations has also generated interest. Language mediation by interpreters is often required in immediate situations that have a certain degree of urgency or which occur under serious circumstances. For example, health interpretation services, which put ailing people in contact with the corresponding health personnel. This may require interpreters to work under a lot of pressure, in situations with nervous patients who have troubling express themselves clearly or even when having to communicate bad news. Another example is interpretation in war zones or humanitarian crises. Many people have no choice but to migrate, fleeing danger and scarcity, and they often find asylum in territories where their language is not spoken. During this process, they have to communicate with the authorities, with regulatory bodies, in reception centers and in hospitals. Many of these people have lived through truly difficult experiences framed within a context of suffering, such that the messages that they transmit and sometimes the direct interaction with these people can leave a deep impression on interpreters.
This impression is called “trauma” and arises when the interpreter empathizes with the suffering of others for a long time and takes it on as their own. It is due to the failure to train specific interpretation profiles for these types of sensitive cases, which differ greatly from business interpretation. For this reason, an ever-greater emphasis is being placed on the development of specific training and good practices to learn how to professionally prepare oneself to provide these services. It aims to improve the quality of interpretations and to treat people with these needs in a dignified manner.
To find out more about interpretation or some of its specializations, we recommend the following articles: Telephone interpretation, La interpretación médica, Eurovision and interlinguistic interpretation
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