POEM
… and who are you?
I am the Interpreter
who speaks your words in another language
but …
I am not your Spokesperson.
And words you hear from me
may sound like advice
but …
I am not your Adviser.
I am assisting you in communication
but …
I am not your Assistant.
I am helpful to you
but …
I am not your Helper.
I am friendly
yet …
I am not your Friend.
Then … who are you?!
I am an Echo of your words in another language …
Now you hear me,
Now you d’ …
by Andrew Kozlowski
Andrew Kozlowski is a freelance professional interpreter (English–Polish).
This poem concluded Andrew’s presentation ‘Ecosystems in interpreting: evolve, habituate, flourish’ at the AUSIT National Conference 2019 (Hobart, Tasmania, 18–19 October).