Self-help books do not help introvert interpreters

Self-help books are written by extroverts still craving for recognition. They do not help introverts who are diehard sceptics. Introverts are not looking for tips on how to turn extrovert, or how to fake extroversion despite leaning toward introversion. Introversion is a socially ingrained defect, that is, the society's voice obviously dominated by the cult of extroversion that calls it, your characteristic, a disease, a default, a handicap. Who knows better about your problem than extroverts who have none? Introverts are looking in facts for words that read like "it's OK being what I am". They are looking for serenity and the path to it is certainly not longing for turning an extrovert.

So what does this musing stand for in a professional blog about liaison interpreter? I read a while ago some chitchat exchange in some online forum I don't remember about where someone reacting to an article about interpretation was stating that "As an introvert, I could not cope with the stress out of forced visibility involved with interpretation. That's why I chose to do translation only."

Introverts are loosing time which is energy to try and fake themselves on the potential for change toward that other side of being which is supposed to be extroversion, which is forced upon to be perceived, at least on the Western side of that planet, as the correct way to be. I now find this two dimensional, ying and yang world wrong from day one. It is missing a third dimension.

That third dimension is Japan. Extroversion doesn't fit Japan, nor does it fit interpretation as constant self-control of behavior in a more focused way than the clients and their partners is required. This requisite is better managed by introverts, that is why I strongly refute that introverts do not fit interpretation. An extrovert in liaison interpreting will want to take the lead at a rate than can be dangerous for the outcome expected by the client. Sure, the introvert liaison interpreting has to deal with her special (what so special?) unsureness exposed when meeting new people. The extrovert is said to be reaching out with a vengeance, the introvert shows caution. A Westerner liaison interpreter in Japan must be a master of caution when performing intermediary conduit interaction. Introverts are better at that game. Extroverts may mess up with the situation. Introverts rule. Only, they need in early times encouragement.

I take almost pride to tread on the subject of emotion control, shame and uneasiness to meet new people that also comes together with public speech during my introductory course to liaison interpreting. Japanese students are a hell of lot ... quiet. I tell them that the teacher in action game I am delivering in front of them now is just that, a game. And game means control, including of emotions. I tell them that what they see in people demeanor doesn't tell the truth about tendencies toward extroversion or introversion, and that introversion is not an inhibitor of professional delivery granted the introvert comes to term with her being just that, and introvert, and move on to the next challenge.