Saturday, June 26, 2010

Rôtissiers and Pâtissiers stick up to themselves

And so you must do.

Liaison interpreting is about being in the middle, physically. It is mostly performed consecutively, in what I would distinguish between short to very short dialogue interpreting (where note taking is mostly useless and impossible), and longer mono directional utterances that require consecutive interpretation and note taking.

By stating that you are not able to perform in consecutive mode, you carry along and perpetuate the bias toward consecutive (and liaison) interpreting to be inferior to simultaneous, in the sense of being a sign of a stigma, and a proof of your lack of competence.

The truth is that rôtissiers and pâtissiers do not specialize in identical realms of competence although they both practice in the realm of food.

It is better not to wait for any organizational movement that would convey a sense of self-value to liaison interpreters. Instead, behave as if you are such organization by yourself. Pat yourself on the shoulder and strive to be better, ever more professionalized. And when asked, say that you don't perform simultaneous. Stop telling you can't.

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