It’s not easy to be a student interpreter.
This thing that we’re trying to do — that is, becoming a professional interpreter — is notoriously difficult. The international organizations and private clients that hire us expect nothing but the highest level of quality from us. At the same time, the interpreting process is so complex cognitively speaking, that is has been likened to the work of an air-traffic controller.
To make matters worse, interpreter training programs don’t always have a reputation for taking it easy on their students. My own training was fraught with intensely difficult moments, and I know one interpreter who describes her time at a school outside Canada as “the psycho-terror”.
“Patricia Arquette” poses for the paparazzi with her Oscar.
Consequently, when we created the MCI at Glendon, we made a commitment to straddle a fine line. On one hand, we would not shrink away from our duty to produce top-notch professionals. On the other hand, we would exercise compassion and understanding when training students. Heck, we might even allow ourselves to have a little fun in the process!
If there were ever any questions as to whether we have achieved our objectives, this week removed all doubt.
The French team tried out the newly
soundproofed booth.
Oscar Night and Fashion Week
This week, my colleague Qjinti Oblitas made an unusual decision in her Documentation and Professional Practice, a course that brings together all our language teams. Sensing that our group could use a pick-me-up after a bad case of the winter blahs, she dispensed with the usual topics that interpreting students might deal with.
Instead, she tasked the group to simulate two different events. First, there was a post-Academy-Award press conference, during which a French-speaking Julianne Moore and a Portuguese-speaking Patricia Arquette faced the international media. Second, on the heels of New 91ɫ Fashion Week, a panel of international designers was interviewed by a Chinese fashion magazine.
The students who interpreted during the simulations approached them like they would any other assignment. After all, there was specialized vocabulary to prepare, and there were team rosters to figure out. Oh, and since the interpretation had to be done either in consecutive or in whispered simultaneous, the interpreters learned a lot about positioning themselves in the right place, about speeding up the pace of a multilingual interpreted event, and — above all — about being assertive.
But the undisputed stars of the evening were, well, the stars. The students who played the roles of Hollywood actors and fashion house divas truly outdid themselves. It’s not for nothing that people sometimes say that you have to be a bit of a ham to be an interpreter! There were big shoulder pads, and even bigger personalities. A lot of fun was had by all.
Workshop participants describe their impression after working in simo for the first time.
Experience Glendon and MCI Open House
On Sunday, March 1, the students once again showed their serious side. The entire campus was abuzz as we hosted “Experience Glendon” an open house for all those thinking about become Glendon students. The MCI participated in the success of the event in two different ways.
First, a series of information sessions was held in the Amphitheatre for high school students who are thinking of coming to Glendon next fall. These sessions were interpreted by our students into Arabic, French, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish. As I listened to the students work, I realized something important. In our classes, we push them outside of their comfort zones. We make them interpret material on a range of topics, in a range of settings, so that they are always on their toes. It’s challenging! But under more normal working conditions — say, when they have documentation in advance and when they master the topic — our students really shine. I was pleased with what I heard.
Second, we challenged some of our current students to teach a series of workshops to people who are curious about the MCI. The workshops covered both note-taking for consecutive interpreting and simultaneous work in the booth. As I watched my students become the teachers, I was aware that they are talented communicators who show skill in their interactions with others. At one point, one of the workshop participants expressed frustration when her nervousness prevented her from even turning on the microphone in the booth. My students responded with compassion, sharing some of their own challenges with performance anxiety, and with insight, sharing the techniques they used to get past their psychological hurdles. I could also tell that having to teach a lesson on interpreting techniques forced them to assimilate it in a profound way.
In short, whether interpreting or teaching, my students showed a maturity and commitment to their work that for me are the hallmarks of professionalism.
The fashion houses — and their interpreters —assemble for a media interview.
To sum up, can a training program be both tough and fun? I think the answer is a resounding “yes”. In fact, this week, our team showed their ability both to focus like a laser beam and deliver high-quality service and to let loose and inject some levity into their work. And that balance of light and heavy makes for a special learning experience.