Interpreting and Communicating: Necessary skills in Foreign Language Learning

An Interview Antonio Graceffo by Inga Yadell

1. Tips on interpreting a message in another language

Most people think that being a good translator or interpreter is based on having a good command of the foreign language. While it is true that you need to have the linguistic skills, you must also have the cultural understanding to interpret what someone is saying. When I was translating for Warner Bros. Germany, there was a line of text in one of their shows which said, “He is a real Boy Scout.” In American English, a Boy Scout is a good thing, America, apple pie, clean, no crime, no sin, good person. But in Germany the Pfadfinder (German Boy Scouts) grew out of the Hitlerjugend and have a reputation of being Nazis. So the connotation was different. You have to be aware of these differences.

Another example, in most Asian languages there is still a sense that fat people are rich and happy. So, when you are translating a story or movie, the fat pig may represent something very positive. The same is true of a monkey. The Monkey god is the smartest god. In the west we think of Monkeys as being stupid.

In America, “The Cosby Show” was considered excellent family entertainment, a wholesome show, with a black family, positive role models and well-behaved kids. In Spain, parents forbid their kids from watching it. They felt Cosby signaled the downfall of the very institution of family, because the kids voiced their opinions and often disagreed with the parents. Even the fact that the parents consulted with the kids before making major family decisions would be considered bad in many cultures.

The above examples were problems of connotation, rather than translation or definition. But in asia the line sometimes gets blurry because of the poor quality and dirth of dictionaries.

If you specialize in a European language, such as French, German, or Spanish, there are world class linguists on both sides of the Atlantic studying the language, writing and rewriting dictionaries, as well as updating the language and inventing or adding new words. In Asia, this type of study is a fairly new concept. There aren’t any major linguistics coming out of Asia. There is no Chomsky or Krashen in Taiwan. They are still relying primarily on dictionaries written by French-speaking Swiss missionaries a century ago. This doesn’t mean that there is no one working on the language or no one writing new dictionaries or doing new research but it is not as common as it is in Europe.

As a result you wind up with consistent mistakes. In Taiwan, most Taiwanese lack the phrase, “on the house” and instead say “service.” This is not interference from Chinese language, as the two concepts are as distinct in Chinese as they are in English. The problem stems from a single mistake in a dictionary written 100 years ago which has now become part of the culture.

The average Asian, even language teachers, take the first definition in the dictionary as gospel. As a result, they do terrible translations. If you were to point out to someone that “service” does not mean “on the house” they would just get confused and probably give you some type of answer such as “but this is English.”

After I had taken my students to the department store on an outing, the school manager asked me which part of the store the children liked best. I said in Chinese, “the toy area.” Which I correct in Chinese. She then translated directly into English and said “toy area.” In English it should be the “toy department,” but the Chinese word is normally translated as “area” in 90% of other usages. And in the Chinese mind, companies and armies have departments but stores don’t. in fact, the word for department store doesn’t have the word department in it. Literally it means “hundred product company.” The police department, in Chinese, is called “the police office.” And they say it this way in English. It makes perfect sense, since the people who work there are police officers. But it is wrong in English. The word, “ju” in 90% of other usages should be translated as office, such as “post office.” But, in the case of “police department” the word should be changed. But if you were only taking the first definition in the dictionary as law, then you would wind up with a “toy area” and a “police office.”

These are types of small but important differences in definition and connotation that a translator or interpreter would need to know. The understanding goes way beyond the dictionary and into deciding what function a particular word or concept has in the foreign language.

2. The fastest method of learning other methods of communication

Gestures that work when you’re translating to a more primitive or remote culture

Since 80% of communication is non-verbal, it should be easy to communicate with people with whom we don’t share a common language. I think if you are going to go live overseas or in a tribal type of environment where you don’t speak the language, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a short course in line drawing or sketching and a quick course in pantomime. I know it sounds silly, but body language and drawing might be two of the bets methods you have of communicating with people.

In language teaching we employ a method called TPR, total physical response. This metho teaches you to assign meaningful gestures to words and concepts. I also participated in Toastmasters International, a public speaking organization with thousands of clubs around the world. Both of these experiences helped me to think about how to tell a story with my hands, voice modulation, facial expression and movement, rather than relying on words. If you do all of these things while you are talking, it could b a huge help in communication.

3. Guidelines of respect or conduct for these people.

Obviously every culture has its taboos. In southeast asia, in Theravada Buddhist countries it is believed that the soul resides on the top of the head, so to touch the top of anyone’ head is a huge insult. There was a murder case in Cambodia a few years ago where a cook in a restaurant dumped a pot of soup on the head of a kitchen boy. The boy killed him. And although he didn’t go free, common people who heard the story said things like “what did the cook expect to have happen?”

In these same countries, the feet are considered dirty and it is a huge insult to ever touch anything with your feet or to motion to your feet when speaking. And if you ever touched someone’s head or hat with your feet, that would be the worst thing you could possibly do.

So for every country, every culture, you need to study and inform yourself about the religion and social norms, so as not to offend anyone.

4. Best exercises to help with vocalisation/pronunciation.

To improve pronunciation, do a lot of listening, hours and hours and hours of listening. Watch TV, use your tapes and CDs also put on your head set and speak after the tape or CD. Don’t mumble when you speak. Speak loudly, clearly, forcefully, and try to put meaning into what you are saying. Sit alone and read aloud for hours every day to improve pronunciation. Have foreign friends read your lessons aloud for you to listen to and copy.

5. Suggested routine (how you would structure a speed course in learning a new language)

You need to study every single day. The more hours you put in the better you will be. You also must use a textbook, a work book, tapes or CDs, and possibly computer aided programs if available. Use every single resource. Develop a routine and logical order in which to do them. Listen first then read, or read first then listen. Speak next, then write. After you have completed a written exercise, check it. Correct it, rewrite it. Start again cold, look at the page of questions and write the exercise again from scratch. Always copy the questions along with the answers. Copy dialogues and reading texts. Recite them in your head as you go.

Have the CDs or audio running while you are traveling, jogging, riding an exercise bicycle or puttering around the apartment.

Seize every opportunity to read your exercises with a native speaker.

6. Recommended resources – the most inexpensive way to learn a new language.

As for resources, look for a consistent series where the dictionary, textbook, workbook, reading book, DVDs, CDs, tapes….all resources are consistent and matching. Look for graded or scald readers or videos stories you can read or watch for entertainment which are enjoyable but which will reinforce your lessons learned.