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Hi Mike,
you are absolutely correct about English being truly the only international language. Oddly I worked in some out of the ordinary places when lecturing, and admit to getting a bit complacent about it. After all I was in France, Russia, Hungary, Vietnam, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, and the Middle East at various times and ALWAYS lectured in English.
One notable lecture was held in a church in Kiev - you know the sort with the golden onions on top? There I lectured from a pulpit would you believe? To say it was a bit of a farce was an understatement as I had a Ukrainian 'instant' translator alongside me, who not only translated the words, but my every gesture and movement to the screen to illustrate points. At the first halfway break, people were asking me to stop him as it was annoying.
Easier said than done, but we managed after ensuring he would be paid anyway. He did have a case of the sulks though!
However I did get caught out in Vilnius (Lithuania) where I had a full house and cheerfully launched into my presentation. After a few minutes I realised I wasn't getting through to them, and asked the local representative what was amiss. Deeply embarrassed he told me the event had been publicised in Lithuanian, and it had never occurred to them that people would automatically assume the lecture was in that language.
The one and only time that happened in over 20 years! Lesson - check out the details and use the old acronym (is that right?) 'Never ASSUME anything - as it can make an ASS of U and ME.
How true.
Hi Norm, I don't believe that Benny Hill ever realized how profound that statement would become. That one short sentence impacts a great deal. Translators seem to try to put more into their translations then are actually there. The same can be said about those that translate sign language, or rather the oral word into sign language. As the speaker is incorporating his or her own emotions as they speak, there is no need for the interpretor to do the same. This simply takes away from the presentation itself. I have not done much public speaking myself, however while stationed in Lajes Field, Azores in the 60's I was in a Little theatre group. I was singing a song with what I thought were four other people behind me singing as well. As I was caught up in the song, I did not realize that the other three had stepped backwards, and when the song was completed we took our group bow, or at least I thought it was a group bow. I was the only one left on stage. The others got stage fright, which I had also, however I thought that they were there supporting me so I continued. We had rehearsed that song all week, and had not prepared ourselves for a full house to be watching us. I guess the reason that I brought this up is to say that I admire you for what you do, because when you step onto that stage, you have a full house of critics waiting for you to make one tiny mistake. I don't know why, and I am not saying this to be critical, however translators seem to have their own agenda in mind when helping to convey the message being brought forth. As we may not know the language in question, we have to trust that they are relaying our message correctly and not inserting their own ideas into the message.
When I mentioned the Sign language interpretor I am reminded of a speech tha President Barrack O'Bama was making about a month ago, I am not quite sure what the agenda was, because there was a female sign interpretor that looked like she was standing right next to him. I'm sure she wasn't, however as she signed his message she was using facial expressions as well. Very quickly into the conversation it was looking more like a comedy routine then a serious message. I'm not sure if their are certain protocols that interpretors must follow, however excessive facial gestures and insertion of their own words should not be allowed.
I have my own thoughts on other subjects that have been mentioned here as well, however I am contemplating on whether or not to mention them here because I don't want to create a controversal arena. TRUTH. This is the most allusive subject there is, because it is so very rare. As an example, if you want to learn the truth about the American Indian or Native American, do not read a book authored by an American Indian Fighter. Chances are, he will tell you that the American Indians scalped the new settlers, however the practice of scalping was first instigated by the Colonists. Always know where your news source comes from before forming an intelligent conclusion. As an example, it probably would not be a good idea to buy a Cook Book written by Jeffrey Darmer.
GOD BLESS YOU
~Mike~
http://www.countryvalues65.com