The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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FEATURES provided by almost all institutions and government bodies. Interpreters frequently deal with situations in which cultural differences can be an impediment. When such differences are tackled effectively by the interpreter, they shouldn't affect the two parties involved – be they interviewer and interviewee, doctor and patient, or solicitor and client. The situation will become a problem for clients only when the interpreter fails to notice the cultural discrepancies, or is unable to deal with them effectively. Kurdish culture is distant from English culture in many aspects, including social and religious values; views of life, marriage and morality; and an understanding of what is considered respectful and polite. Whenever I feel that something is not going well because of cultural differences, I try to intervene by explaining the cultural factors that might be responsible for a misunderstanding. Another issue is the sense of strong social relations among members of the Kurdish community. Most Kurdish asylum-seekers expect every help from a Kurdish interpreter. They believe that interpreters have a lot of experience in the areas they work in and should be able to answer questions regarding everything from legal matters to asylum cases. Such questions are none of the interpreter's business, nor are they part of their professional duties. Interpreters in such situations find themselves between two devils: the professional Code of Conduct (which states that they should not to engage in conversation especially in cases of a legal nature); and the social rules that require them to be cooperative to members of their ethnic background. A successful interpreter will find a third way that enables them to deal with such a version. This involves two duties: interpreting between two languages and between two levels of the same language. However, once an interpreter has some experience, it can become routine to adjust from a high register to the level that the client appears to understand. It is worth checking with clients whether they do understand, because there is no point in interpreting for someone who has little idea of what is being said. Emotional aspects Educational background Asylum-seekers come from various educational backgrounds. While some are well educated and may be writers, politicians or social activists, many have not had the chance to study to higher levels of education. This can affect their communication skills. Some state in their asylum cases that they are uneducated or illiterate. The challenge is intense, especially when working in a formal setting, such as with solicitors, whose language is marked by an abundant use of formal, standardised expressions and legal terminology. Working in such a setting with an uneducated client not only involves rendering speech from one language into another but also from a high register into a simplified Most people who resort to seeking asylum in another country have fled some kind of persecution, mistreatment or injustice, which can be for political, social or other reasons. Most have a story of suffering and sorrow. As an interpreter, it is hard to detach yourself from such emotional situations. A good coping strategy is to look at the job as an experience from which you can learn a lesson, and not as an experience you have to live with. Ultimately, we should be pleased that, while there are people on the planet who cause suffering to others, as interpreters we have a humanitarian career, helping to establish communication and understanding between people from different countries and backgrounds. Vol/52 No/4 2013 WWW.REFUGEECOUNCIL.ORG.UK Most have a story of suffering and sorrow. As an interpreter, it is hard to detach yourself from such situations REFUGEE COUNCIL | © SADıK GÜLEÇ | DREAMSTIME.COM Cultural factors situation. Being an interpreter means dealing with people. We can be nice to clients, respect their questions (however difficult they may seem), and be courageous enough to say 'I don't know' in reply. Guiding clients to those who can better help them is another safe strategy – for example, by advising them to ask their solicitors these questions because they are experts in legal matters, or by suggesting they consult their social workers, because the question concerns them. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER The Linguist 9