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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OPINION & COMMENT Email linguist.editor@gmail.com with your views How (not) to speak the local lingo overseas In the most recent letters page, Paul Guest writes about the difficulties languages learners experience when foreigners reply in English, even though they may have been addressed in their native tongue (TL52,4). I am surprised he had difficulties in Spain as I have found one of the glories of that country to be that almost no one you meet knows any English. In general, I try to follow these rules to minimise the issue: 1 Avoid being identified as an English speaker. (This may be difficult if you are in an English-speaking group – or wearing a bowler hat with a Union Jack tie!) 2 Even if you are identified, try not to be heard speaking English and never start a conversation in English expecting to be able to switch languages later. 3 Try to talk at normal speaking speed. It is essential that you speak with absolute confidence, so don't worry about making mistakes. 4 Confidence does not mean you should not be seen to speak 'carefully'. When I visited Italy many © ISTOCKPHOTO years ago, I had no trouble getting around, but when prices were mentioned I hesitated and my interlocutor gave the price in English. (Unfortunately, it was invariably still in lire, so this was no help at all, as my problem was with the currency rather than the language.) 5 Try to speak with the appropriate foreign accent as this aids comprehension. If you are using a language that is not widely known, such as Icelandic, native speakers may not be used to hearing their language spoken with a foreign accent and may not understand. You do not need to be fluent to have a good accent – the two are unconnected. My cousin speaks no Portuguese but his accent is impeccable, so whenever he goes to Portugal he is spoken to in torrents of Portuguese. 6 Avoid probable speakers of English, such as students. In many countries, the younger generation will have been taught English at school but the older generation may not. 7 Note little cultural give-aways. I remember entering a shop in Brussels, going to the counter and being addressed in English. Why? I had not said 'Bonjour, Madame' on entering and therefore was clearly a rude foreigner. When I am overseas and people speak English back to me, I find I have usually broken one or more of these guidelines. In my experience, the Dutch are the most likely to use English with foreigners while Welsh-speakers are the most helpful in allowing others to use their language. William Hedley HonMCIL Go Team TL! TV subtitles: a new language? I have always found the magazine interesting, but now I find there are more articles that resonate with my interest and curiosity, there is a lot more motivational and directed information. Even though I am a fan of a nice paper magazine and am tempted to read a good few articles straightaway, the online version is gaining my attention, especially as the navigation has improved. There is also a lovely buzz from the proactive news of university visits, possible new premises and website shake-up. Well done to the team, I'm enjoying the benefits! Leone Kahembe ACIL Professionals who deal with simultaneous interpretation at conferences and for individuals know what a demanding, difficult and responsible job it is. All nuances and, often, tone of voice, must be conveyed. No mistakes can be made at all. The recent G20 meeting in Russia, which could have resulted in massive military action, must have kept the interpreters very much on their toes. At 76, I am getting slightly deaf and, for the first time, I have started to use the subtitle facility on my TV. For news programmes and several discussion shows, a special kind of simultaneous interpreting is going on, either through a real person or a Vol/52 No/5 2013 translating computer. The spoken language is being translated (or transliterated) into a written form. However, I am horrified at the enormous number of errors and howlers. Sometimes, the results are amusing, sometimes alarming; sometimes they produce meaningless language that does not help the viewer at all. For examples, simply watch the news with the subtitles on – soon, you will be laughing like mad or, as a professional linguist, tearing your hair out. Broadcasters need to talk seriously to their subtitle contractors. Happy viewing! Maurice H Varney FCIL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER The Linguist 29