Thanks to “Facebook memories” a funny reminisce of a status
I posted 5 years ago as an American Sign Language(ASL) Interpreting student came up saying – “The more and more I go through this interpreting program the more I
question how well I actually know English.”
Languages are, crazy to say the least. Its like we spend our
entire lives exposed and learning this thing that we don’t even realize we are
learning, yet at the same time no one ever perfects it. How could we? Language
is ever changing. I’ve been speaking, listening, reading, studying, and
constantly exposed to English. Yet, while in my Bachelor’s I questioned if I
was really was a master of English. Studying to be an interpreter requires
endless hours studying another language, while challenging your skills in your
own language. It took learning not just words, but meaning. Yes, textbooks help, to
an extent, but not like getting out there and talking. When it came to getting
a message in one language and then exporting that into another language all
while not changing meaning was tough! It really made me question how well I
knew how to control my use of language.
Now, as I’ve experienced Teaching English as a Second
Language or Foreign Language, I again find myself questioning what I know.
English has some silly rules. Namibia isn’t the first foreign country I teach
in and one common factor I would fear is learners asking “well why do we do
___________?” “ Wait why don’t you say that letter”. Grammar is very tricky. I
give people who learn English as a language other than their native language A
LOT of credit. I giving anyone learning a language or languages in general a
lot of credit! It is not an easy task at all. Trust me, I know!
After, I completed my B.A in ASL – English interpretation I
found myself working as an interpreter for a few years. Working as an
interpreter brings a vast variety of situations that call for you. In some
situations I can admit, my rookie shoes had me at times thinking “how do I
interpret this with what I know and what I’m confident I can do” , sometimes
giving a summarized version of a sentence, or pausing for a moment trying to
think of the best way to say what needs to be said. There were a couple times
clients would get frustrated with my processing time. I don’t blame this for
one-minute, it’s an awkward situation. Most of my clients knew I was new on the
scene and gave me some leeway but that by no means that should have been their
responsibility.
Now that I’m Namibia, a land of many languages I find myself
taking on a new language, Rukwangali. Though we are at the 7-month
anniversary of this experience, I am nowhere near fluent. I am still learning
and practicing the language every day. This has placed me in a position where I
find myself needing an interpreter at work meetings or clinics. However, that
isn’t exactly something supplied by the Peace Corps. I mean we gotta learn
somehow right? Luckily, there is usually a colleague willing to help tell me
what is going on in the meeting or announcement, or whatever it may be. Keep in
mind these are people are doing this to be nice, not professionally trained,
simply kind hearted individuals. Since their attendance is also required
distractions are easy to come by. Sometimes
I would be sitting for a few minutes of the presenter talking and then when I
ask if anything has been said I get a message like “oh yeah, she is talking
about the plans”…. Or something like “Its about that one boy and girl who live
that side Rundu”. Very vague summaries. This is nice because it gives me some
guidance, but no content. This would sometimes make me anxious, uncomfortable,
or even annoyed.
To walk into a situation, and put what information you will
get in the hands of another person takes a lot of trust. How do I know if I’m
being lied to? Is this all the information I need or was that just the parts
you needed? If everyone else is laughing why am I not? What’s so funny!? ….. I
do have to note, English is not the first language of my colleagues helping me
out. Sometimes English is even their third language. So why am I so,
temperamental with their assistance? What this has really brought me to realize
is: To be an interpreter, or even the person trying to help out someone is a
lot of work, verbally and mentally. To be the person awaiting an interpretation
or message is a lot of work, verbally and mentally. It’s a dynamic that demands
a relationship. There must be trust to some extent, and empathy from all ends.
Neither chair is an easy seat to sit in, but both positions deserve respect. Serving brings me humility constantly. Its good to be in a
position where you are surrounded by opportunities that expand you, yet gives
a closer look all at once.
