You (Claudia) Zhou
Translator or interpreter (or both): both
Language(s) and direction(s): Mandarin–English (interpreter) & Chinese>English (translator)
Location: Hobart, TAS
Practising as a translator/interpreter since: 2021
Member of AUSIT since: 2022
Main area(s) of practice: medical, legal, community services (interpreting) & business, marketing, academic research (translating)
Q1:
How did you come to be a T/I?
A1:
After I started learning English at the age of nine, people often told me that I had a talent for languages. Over time I came to appreciate the beauty of different languages, and began to develop a strong interest in this area. I became especially interested in translating and interpreting after reading an autobiography of a Chinese translator. After completing a degree in event management and working in this area for a year, I realised that if I didn’t give myself a chance to step into the T&I industry, I would probably regret it in the future. So I made the decision to go back to study, and after graduating I slowly began to find opportunities in the T&I industry. I’m really grateful to all the tutors, mentors and industry leaders I met back then, who taught me the power of languages and the important roles we play in becoming linguistic and cultural bridges.
Q2:
Tell us about a project you have worked on that was especially interesting or challenging (within the bounds of confidentiality of course).
A2:
I’m currently translating a thesis for a post-graduate research project in law, on the differences and relationship between ‘arbitration’ and ‘mediation’. I’m finding it interesting and challenging at the same time. I have experience of interpreting in court and tribunal settings, and can sort of understand the nature of arbitration and mediation, but it’s really amazing and surprising to see such in-depth analysis of these two processes and their relationship, and I’m finding it extremely difficult when it comes to word choices and register. This project is on a tight schedule, and maintaining the translation quality while also meeting the deadline is a big challenge.
Alba Barrientos
Translator or interpreter (or both): translator
Language(s) and direction(s): Spanish<>English
Location: Adelaide, SA
Practising as a translator/interpreter since: 2007
Member of AUSIT since: 2020
Main area(s) of practice: legal
Q1:
How did you come to be a T/I?
A1:
I have a knack for words and languages. I was an English teacher in my country of origin, and am an avid reader. Ever since I can remember, people have asked for my help in translating what they have to say into English, putting their thoughts on paper, or editing their writing – friends, neighbours, co-workers, flatmates, siblings, acquaintances … so becoming a translator was a natural progression. And I really enjoy it. It makes me feel like I am a channel of communication across cultures.
Q2:
Tell us about a project you have worked on that was especially interesting or challenging (within the bounds of confidentiality of course).
A2:
I once performed pro bono translation and interpreting work for a Hare Krishna spiritual master or guru in Caracas, Venezuela. On one occasion, every Spanish-speaking devotee wrote him a poem to be included in a book that would be published to celebrate his birthday. The guru didn’t speak Spanish, and it was my job to translate his devotees’ poems into English. Most of them came from a low socioeconomic background, with little or no formal education. The poems were rustic, and at times very difficult to understand in Spanish, let alone translate into English. I had to sit down with each person and ask questions about what they wished to convey, and then translate their answers into a lovely heartfelt offering. Some would struggle to put a few broken words on paper, and tell me with all sincerity that they trusted me to write something beautiful on their behalf. I was very touched. It was a rewarding experience, a work of trust and collaboration.
