Lost (and Found) in Translation 9 - English - Terrifying 2015

People say it’s foolish to mark time in intervals. I digress. On the 29th of December, I was reminiscing about the past year, trying to comment on a Facebook friend’s post, which asked for the definition of 2015 in one word. What came to my mind (an old technique in market research, haha) was TERRIFYING.

In many ways. However, specifically in translation, I was not only scared, but also marveled, anguished, and disgusted by many of the texts I translated this year. Because translators aren't machines - and never will be - we are human beings gifted with feelings, and mainly, gifted with discernment based on them. I've had jobs that took more than twice the normal time because I couldn't hold back the sadness and disgust I felt while translating what I had to read. And jobs that were very quick, and so satisfactory that I suffered a sort of "withdrawal" from continuing.

I translated my first book this year, in an area related to my original education, and I became extremely proud of myself. And after, I translated yet another in my area, and I loved the experience. I also translated documents about things I'm afraid to talk about. I felt like Nicole Kidman in The Interpreter (I know that's paranoid, but it's exciting, haha.) The words crossed the screen, in several CATs, and came out in another language. I mentally discussed with the readers of the documents I translated, arguing that my choice of words was good, that they were able to understand the text better this way, and that with another construction, it would be more difficult. And they responded in turn, inside my head, the crazy lady controlling the CAT.

This year, I decided to win over the world and talk with clients all over it. And I decided to put what I know into practice, from other times (and careers), putting into practice MKT ideas in a whole different business. I met new people, companies, and clients, and had fun via Skype discussing jobs and life. Because those who talk to me know I won't shut up until I tell them the latest about my daughter, Theodora.

I found 2015 to be a complicated year, terrifying, really. From the words written in my CATs to the words in the articles from newspaper websites, the year was scary. I am waiting for 2016 with open arms - so that it comes quickly; I'm counting down the seconds.

​I hope you like it (and find it useful too).

I say goodbye to you with a hug, until the next newsletter.

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