Interpreter Classes in Japan
While living in Japan I not only taught the obligatory English lesson (and German at times), but I was frequently called for guest-lecturing at interpretation classes held at the local YMCA in Kitaykyushu, Japan.
I remember being a bit nervous before my first stint as a so-called guest-lecturer. On top of that, I had been warned by the language school secretary that the interpretation class teacher, Kawano sensei, (teachers get addressed by their family name, proceeded by the honorific title of teacher in Japanese) would be a very strict, tough, and challenging teacher.
But as for challenging cases while living in Japan, I felt I did not have much to lose. We foreigners are supposed to act non-Japanese, in some cases we are expected to “fail” or just to be different, and so I was willing to give it a try.
Regular classes consisted of two levels: intermediate and advanced. My very first class was with intermediate students. I sat head on in front of the class and Kawano sensei told one of his students to sit next to me. When the teacher posed a question, the content of my answer had to match their language skills, so I had to determine which level I would have to adjust my vocabulary. My teaching experience came in very handy at this point.
As I had no idea which topic questions Kawano sensei would ask, my answers had to be very creative and still sound knowledgable. I was told to answer each Germany-based topic question in about two minutes’ time. More often than not, the topic was about a time when I had not even been living in Germany, but general knowledge and being an avid reader helped me out.
How did the tested students feel? Sometimes a student would take his/her seat and whisper in a low voice, ”Speak slowly, please.” That was never a problem for me, as I needed time to formulate and phrase my responses anyway.
The practice-test arrangement in the advanced class was generally the same. Only the topic questions became even more challenging and sometimes I even started to sweat. Again, Kawano sensei asked me about events having happened in Germany while I was living in the U.S.A. I had to do my best to offer a fair and objective answer, adjust my vocabulary and speed accordingly to the level of the class, and sound even more informative at the same time. It was a challenge!
When I had thought it couldn’t become any more demanding for me, I was invited to his top-class for “Simultaneous Interpretation”. The set-up was the same, but this time I had to answer on the topic with the practice-testing student sitting next to me, talking at the SAME time. Talk about keeping your thoughts together!
One thing I learned from this class was that it is very hard to stay focused on your topic while hearing or indirectly listening to what the other speaker is saying. Try it with a friend or your partner once– both of you talk to a third person at the same speed and voice level. Even if you use the same language, it is very disconcerting.
Before I joined the YMCA as a guest-lecturer, Kawano sensei always had had native speakers from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand coming to his class. He confided in me, though, that he had grown tired of posing similar topic questions to the same nationalities for so many years. I was the first German the school had ever hired to do the guest-lecturing for this English Interpretation Class, and the teacher really welcomed the change and challenge.
My highest respect goes out to Kawano sensei. He was in his mid-seventies then, and I hope to have such an alert and inquiring mind by the time I reach his age. I was really impressed by his professional skills and untiring mindset.
I also admire anyone who wants to become an interpreter.
If I had ever had any thought of becoming one of these good-looking, smartly-dressed, and ever so seemingly at-ease interpreters before, I would have changed my mind by then. And interpreters don’t get to have a bite during a fancy business lunch, either.
Das folgende Buch ist eine unterhaltsame literarische Anthologie komischer, unheimlicher und nachdenklicher Geschichten und sie alle haben was mit Übersetzen, Dolmetschen und Verstehen zu tun.
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