PROJECT Tokyo

I went to PROJECT Tokyo on Saturday organized by the Japan Association of translators. It was a pretty much satisfying experience and I am sorry I had to miss the final sessions. A clear cut distinction is to be made between interpreters and translators. There was a single general session about how to be an interpreter, attended by three top class freelance interpreters and one in-house. All Japanese but this is a matter of fact. When asked about a good reference on note-taking, no one could refer to the Gillies book. They were pretty much self-centered, satisfied long time practitioners with nothing to share, except for the standard sneer at less than perfect interpreters although these don't eat their lunch. It was a lame, superficial session and the few questions from the audience were a match to the mediocrity. In contrast, the translators sessions going deep down into the nitty gritty of the profession, avoiding no questions, eagerly willing to share their experiences were far superior. Why the contrast? Is it that full time translators chained to their desks relish on opportunities to speak out and talk about their wares? It could be. It could also be that as a whole, interpreters are less "intellectual" than translators, less self-reflecting, and more elitists.