Deb Daniel
Friday the 30th of September was International Translation day; a day that celebrates working translators in the language sector. This important day commemorates those whose work helps individuals and communities in crisis and escape war-torn countries.
British translators participate in humanitarian work with Ukrainian refugees and other asylum seekers. As a member of the Ethiopian community in Birmingham, part-time translator Girma Kebede, says his work involves connecting asylum seekers with immigration officers.
“At the home office, I have had a few translation jobs. I remember helping one girl with her asylum application. She was claiming she was persecuted for her beliefs as an evangelical believer,” Kebede told Empoword.
For Kebede, translation services are important as language can become a barrier for those who do not understand the native language of the country they live in. Translation services work to avoid the misunderstandings and frustrations involved with not being able to speak the languages outside one’s home country.
“This day helps me…evaluate and realise once again how much translation is about breaking barriers, building bridges…”
Yelena McCarfferty, who also spoke to Empoword, works full-time as a translator.
McCafferty is an award-winning Russian translator in Lincolnshire, who has worked to assist Ukrainian refugees by translating their documents and has worked alongside solicitors with Ukrainian clients on legal matters.
The university lecturer turned translator manager set up her own business after graduating from the Faculty of Modern Languages at Kostroma State University in Russia, qualifying as a teacher of English and German as a Foreign Language.
“I spent two years teaching at another university and then fate brought me to the UK where initially I continued my teaching career at Boston College,” she told Empoword.
“I did it part-time while also trying to test the translation market and build that side of the language business.”
After two and a half years, McCafferty’s business became her full-time job, so she gave up teaching for translating and interpreting.
“Since then, I passed a qualification exam of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting and became a member, I received another interpreting qualification – a Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (English Law) and I also did a course in conference interpreting,” said McCafferty.
If you’ve only recently started following me, welcome! 🙂 And here is my story in a nutshell! #1nt #xl8 pic.twitter.com/OdrCshzA0i
— Yelena McCafferty (@talkrussian) July 19, 2022
McCafferty explained that there is a general misunderstanding between translating and interpreting.
“I am lucky to be both so I don’t take as much offence as others do. Strictly speaking, a translator works with a written word and an interpreter works with a spoken word,” she said.
She claimed that her work does not deal with simple emails, as there are automated translators like Google Translator that are always increasing in accuracy.
The translator’s work is never dull, she said, even having her work appear on cinema screens translating props.
“International Translation Day is my professional day. I think every profession should have one and back in Russia they do: they have Teachers’ Day, Notaries’ Day, Students’ Day etc. So this day helps me look back, evaluate and realise once again how much translation is about breaking barriers, building bridges, encouraging trade, reaching out, understanding cultures and much more!” said McCafferty.
Featured image by Benjamin Hartwich from Pixabay. No changes were made to this image. Image license here.
