Translation Studies

Quotes from participants

A number of the participants left feedback after the event. Here are some of their comments.

What's your take-home message from the event?

Now I understand more voice. The emotional labour at work on translation – very interesting. Thank you

That more attention needs to be raised about the voice of the translator/ interpreter – that we have a voice that needs to be taken into consideration by all parties.

I have always been interested in women issues and feminism. Hearing about these in the field of translation makes me much more interested. Also I admired interpreters before, now they are my heroes!

Greater realization of how translation and interpreting can involve emotional labour, and of the pressing need for greater support in this area, e.g.: counselling, briefing and debriefing.

How your understanding of voice has changed?

I was aware before the event that the voice of the translator and interpreter is always there and has an effect on the communication. What changed was the depth of that effect and the various ways it influences the communication.

I came to this with quite limited knowledge about the topic of discussion. However, I feel that tonight was very informative in illuminating the issues with translation. The examples of differences in word choice demonstrated this. In the future, when I am translating texts in my course I will be very careful not to change the whole meaning! Thank you very much.

Fascinating to see how emotional and important ‘lending’ one’s own voice to crime/violence victims can be.