Translated from Spanish by: Paula Lacárcel Sánchez
In a globalised world, communication between countries is key when it comes to diplomacy, cooperation and decision making on an international level. However, how do country representatives manage to understand each other among languages and cultures that are so different? Here is where interpreting for international institutions comes into play.
Interpreters work as a linguistic ‘bridge’ of sorts between leaders, diplomats and experts from different parts of the world. Their work allows for everyone to have access to speeches and makes negotiation and agreement processes easier, regardless of the source language. In this article we will explore how exactly does interpretation for international organisations work, the challenges interpreters must face and some myths surrounding this profession.
A Multilingual World
International organisations work in contexts where linguistic diversity is an unavoidable reality. However, each organisation has its own linguistic system. The United Nations (UN) works with six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French, English and Russian), while other institutions, such as the International Criminal Court, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank or the World Trade Organization work with a smaller amount of language combinations, focusing on English, French and Spanish.
The European Union (EU) is an exceptional case due to their multilingualism policy, which poses a massive challenge regarding interpretation. The EU recognises 24 official languages: German, Bulgarian, Czech, Croatian, Danish, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Greek, Hungarian, English, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Swedish, which allow up to 552 linguistic combinations. In order to manage all these languages, the UE works with a great number of interpreters, and they sometimes even make use of relay interpreting, which consists of a speech that is first interpreted in a common language among all the other interpreters before reaching the other interpreter[SDS1] . where a speech is translated into an intermediate language before reaching its target audience.
The Challenge of Managing so Many Languages
Working with multiple languages in these organisations is not just about logistics, but also precision. A single interpretation error can lead to serious diplomatic consequences or even influence decisions that affect millions of people. Hence, interpreters in these organisations not only master many different languages, they are also familiar with the precise terminology specific to each organisation.
A Day in the Life of an International Organisation Interpreter
The most commonly employed interpretation mode in international institutions is simultaneous interpretation, which involves the interpreter translating the speech from inside a soundproof booth in real time. In smaller meetings or diplomatic contexts, they use consecutive interpretation, where the speaker pauses at intervals so that the interpreter can convey his message in the target language. Depending on the context, interpreters can work at conferences, parliamentary sessions or bilateral meetings, which means they must be able to constantly adapt to different topics and speaking styles.
However, an interpreter’s job does not start when the microphone is on. Before each session, an interpreter must examine documents, speeches and specific terminology in order to guarantee precision and coherence. Due to the high level of mental effort that is required, simultaneous interpreters usually work in 20-30 minute relay teams.
It Is Not that Easy
Working as an international organisation interpreter entails more than just being able to speak many languages. The difficulty lies in being able to listen, understand and convey a message with precision in just a few seconds. Interpreters must be able to manage specialised terminology in fields such as law, economy and diplomacy, adapt to different accents and oratory styles and manage the mental fatigue that comes with working under pressure. They must also be able to maintain neutrality and transmit the exact tone and purpose of the original speech.
But It Is Not that Hard
Despite the complexity of this profession, there are also a lot of myths surrounding it. You don’t have to be a native speaker of several languages, for instance,, but rather perfectly master a specific linguistic combination. Nor is it a question of translating word for word, so much as precisely conveying the original message, even if rewording or adapting to cultural differences in needed. And even though interpreters are professionals with a lot of experience and know how to prepare well, they can also make mistakes, which is why teamwork and previous preparation are key to minimise risks.
In short, interpreting in international organisations is a demanding job that requires linguistic abilities, mental agility and great stress resilience. Behind every eloquent speech are hours of studying, experience and strategies that guarantee effective and clear communication.
Towards the Future
The recent artificial intelligence and automatic interpretation advancements, the question arises as to whether interpreters will be replaced by machines. Even though technology has notably been improving, interpretation in diplomatic and legal contexts still requires cultural awareness, adapting to the context, confidentiality and real-time decision-making, which are aspects that machines cannot accurately replicate yet.
Current tendencies seem to indicate a greater digitalisation, especially with the rise in remote interpretation and the use of assistance tools. However, interpreters will keep being indispensable in high-level meetings, where precision and language sensitivity are critical. This profession will keep evolving over the years, but its role in international communication will still be essential.
In Conclusion
Interpreting in international organisations is a demanding profession, but it is also the key to achieving global diplomacy. On top of mastering different languages, an interpreter must have analysis, concentration and adaptation skills in order to convey messages in a precise way in high-pressure situations.
Even though technology keep developing, the role that humans play is still indispensable when it comes to linguistic and cultural mediation. In a world where communication is the basis of cooperation, interpreters are still the bridge that connects leaders and citizens in different countries.
At Lingua int we have experience collaborating with organisations and institutions providing our interpretation services. If you have a project in which you would like to work with professional translators and language specialists, please contact us or request a quote. You can also find us on our social media accounts: LinkedIn, X, Instagram or Facebook.
