[Laura Sewall]

Yes Emely I also agree that the hands being like a second mouth. People tend to say that only latin people gesture while they talk, but I believe its simply another way of expressing yourself and another way of showing feelings that might seem hard to describe using just words. Your body gesture changes the whole mood and tone of a scene.

[Laura Sewall]

Marjetta I really enjoyed reading this. I am also a lifelong lover of languages so it was great knowing how You explain the differences between translation and interpreting. I especially liked the contrast between the deliberate, reflective nature of translation and the fast-paced demands of interpreting. What stood out the most to me was your personal connection to language. It’s clear that this is something you’ve valued for a long time. The willingness to grow steadily toward your goal is very motivating. And my favorite part was when you said that language work is a lifelong journey. That´s the beauty of it!

[Laura Sewall]

Marjetta I agree with you that interpreters need to understand people and cultures, not just languages. But because I work as a volunteer translator, I see how we have been receiving a lot of updated training and how it helps us now understand that translating word for word is a thing of the past.

Modern translators recognize that what matters most is expressing ideas in a way that sounds natural to the people of the target language and culture. The goal is to touch people’s hearts and communicate the intended message effectively. Sometimes, the way something is phrased can create unnecessary doubts, while a small adjustment, or even omitting a single word, can make a significant difference.

I don’t have much knowledge about how translators in other organizations are trained, but when I compare the translations of the fiction books I’ve read, I can see that translators here in Brazil generally do a very good job of making the text sound natural and engaging.

My feeling is that, whether you are a translator or an interpreter, you need to adjust your mindset and avoid becoming stuck on the idea that “I have to translate every word or else the meaning will be lost.” In many cases, focusing too much on individual words can actually obscure the intended meaning.

However, based on what I have studied about interpreting, I also believe that if you can accurately convey exactly what the speaker is saying, while preserving the same tone and intent, that is generally preferable. The challenge is finding the right balance between accuracy and natural expression.

[Laura Sewall]

I really liked your point, Flaviane, about how interpreters work in both directions between two languages and not just in one. I believe that even helps us practice our translation skills because many people who translate constantly from English to Portuguese may not be able to translate from Portuguese to English since they are so used to the specific structure and grammar of that specific target language. It keeps interpreters on their toes! Also, it’s so interesting how you pointed out that translators need good writing skills, while interpreters need other kinds of skills like quick thinking, good memory, and listening comprehension. It’s good to remember these specific skills so that, as we are training, we know exactly what can help us become better interpreters!

[Laura Sewall]

Thank you Marjetta, for taking the time to point out the built-in skills, real experience, and personal connection I already have. A lot of times, I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way, but I doubt my skills and my ability to know whether I’ll be smart enough to follow through with this career. But just remembering how good it’ll feel to interpret, to expand my vocabulary, and that I kind of grew up doing similar things to this gives me a sense of comfort and real excitement! If you believe that what you do will help and change someone’s life, it’s worth all the effort. If I ever doubt myself, I can come back to your comment and remember the specific things you mentioned. So thank you for reminding me of this!

[Laura Sewall]

Yes, Brazil is definitely a beautiful place to be, especially since spring is near!! 🙂 And thank you, Flaviane. That really means a lot to me. It truly is something I’m really passionate about. And there is no better feeling than ending your day knowing that you made a difference in someone’s life right?

[Laura Sewall]

Hi Marjetta! I think you have a really pretty name. And how cool that you speak French! I find it to be one of the most beautiful and romantic languages. Have you evern been to France?
I also found it interesting that you’ve worked as both an interpreter and translator, since that’s something I’m currently learning about too. I can imagine that your experiences have given you a really valuable perspective when working with people from different backgrounds. I hope you have a wonderful time visiting your family in Finland, sounds like so much fun!
I know it can be frustrating having to change our routine because of a health problem but being positive and remembering that “the show mus go on” is the best thing to do. Congrats on the hard work, everything will work out 🙂

[Laura Sewall]

Marjetta I really liked the point you made about appointments moving too fast and how having an interpreter helps. It makes total sense that when you know that someone is listening intently everyone will be more focused. I’ve never stopped to think about that, but it really is a privilege to have someone who can say exactly what you’re trying to say and give you that time to pause between what you’re saying and what the other person is replying. While the doctor is talking, you can think about what you want to say next. Even when you understand your doctor clearly and can communicate with them, you’re often getting a lot of new information and don’t have much time to process it. With an interpreter, you have that opportunity to pause, think about what you want to ask, and get your questions answered without feeling embarrassed or pressured.

[Laura Sewall]

Hi Flaviane nice to meet you! It was so cool reading about your move from the Boston area to New Hampshire cause that´s where my dad is from. I also think it’s really nice that you’re able to bring your background in pharmacy and your own experience as an immigrant into medical interpreting, I am sure that will help a lot of. I’m excited to learn with you!

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 5 days ago by Laura Sewall.

[Laura Sewall]

When I read this question I got so excited to answer it!

Working as a translator and studying translation since January has taught me that a translator doesn’t translate word for word, and that translation is not literal. A translation can change the words as long as the meaning is still there. You can change it for the purpose of making the translation natural and clear for your specific audience.

Now, from what I understand about interpretation, although I haven’t technically studied interpretation yet, it does have to be more literal. It’s like an actress who interprets a character. She has to interpret exactly who that character is, and if she has specific lines, she also has to interpret those exact lines. She can’t change what is being said. An interpreter is basically the voice of that person, so they cannot change what the person is saying just to make it sound more natural or exact in their own language, even if the original expression doesn’t sound natural in the target language.

So, I think that is one of the biggest differences. As a translator, you’re trying to make a version of that material or video that will appeal to the audience while still maintaining the tone and meaning of the original narrator. You can make changes in the order of the sentences or in the way that you say something for the benefit of your audience. With interpretation, however, you have to maintain what the person is saying as accurately as possible.

Another major difference is that translation can involve written material, while interpretation is oral. A translator can take their time, pause, research, and think about which words or expressions would be the most natural in the target language. An interpreter doesn’t have that same opportunity. They have to process the information and communicate it almost immediately.

The biggest challenge of translation, in my opinion, is making the specific material you’re translating, touch other people’s hearts while also sounding natural in your target language. For example, if something is funny in the original language, you want it to be funny in your target language too. If something is sad in the original language, you want the audience to feel that same sadness in the target language. Sometimes you have to change sentence structure, do a lot of research, and think carefully about which words and expressions would or wouldn’t be natural in your target language.

As for interpretation, I believe the main challenge is remembering and processing everything that is being said while consistently interpreting.You have to respond very quickly, and you can’t leave out information. Everything that the speaker says is important, even the tone and way the person said something.

I believe it is very important to understand that an interpreter is not a translator because the two professions require different skills and approaches. If you don’t understand that difference, you could make the mistake of treating interpretation the same way you would treat translation. A translator has more freedom to adapt the material for the target audience, while an interpreter has to communicate the speaker’s message accurately and immediately. Understanding this difference is important because both professionals are responsible for making sure that the original message is communicated correctly, but they do it in very different ways.

I could go on and on. I love this topic! Excited to talk about this with the other students.
—Laura Sewall.

[Laura Sewall]

Good afternoon friends!

My name is Laura. I was born in Rhode Island, but lived in MA and GA throughout my school years, which is where I learned how to speak Spanish. My dad is from New Hampshire and his name is Ken. People often joke saying that my mom´s name should be Barbie, and I find that to be so funny. My mom´s name is Michelle and she is from Minas Gerais, Brazil. I once saw a quote that said: “made by mom and dad” and I could not relate more to it. It is only thanks to my parents that I am able to speak native English and native Brazilian Portuguese since I was born. We´re always moving back and forth from each country but we are currently living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was a decision my parents made a few years ago because they wanted to simplify their life and live by the beach. We live in the country side of Rio so it is actually super safe and beautiful.

The idea to become a medical interpreter started in 2024 when a friend (that is now my boyfriend) suggested I look into this profession. But the initial desire to be an interpreter started long ago. Speaking and interpreting two languages has always been a part of who I am. Although my parents are bilingual, I have always had to help translating something between them in conversations. This came in handy when a new Brazilian student arrived at my school. My teachers would always ask if anyone spoke Brazilian Portuguese and I would always proudly raise my hand and say: “I do! I speak Portuguese!”. Then the teacher would assign me to be that student’s official interpreter for every class we had — until they eventually learned English. I did not know it back then, but I was doing a mix of simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.

I was enjoyed reading fictional books and I started reading them in Portuguese after I moved to Brazil. I believe this secretly prepared me for being able to achieve a dream that always had — to be a volunteer translator. After an unexpected invitation from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society I took a translation course and lived there for a few months translating all sorts of materials — both oral and written. I am still working for them as a volunteer translator, and seeing how much it touches people´s hearts to understand something in their mother tongue, made me sure of what I wanted as a career. The thought of becoming a medical interpreter has been on my mind since that first year I discovered about it. My mom told me about times where she would need to go to appointments by herself and how it was not scary because she knew she would have an interpreter to help her. That touched my heart and moved me to do my best today to be that person for someone else as well.

Sorry if I shared a lot, I am just so passionate about languages and translation!!
Thanks to everyone who stuck with me until this point. I look forward to learn from everyone in these next few weeks.

Best, Laura.

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