Attitudes that Beginner Translators Must Understand

Many say working at a company built from other countries' investment is fun. Both the matter of prestige, salary, company facilities, and others. I admit that.
Although you could say my salary was not overflowing and I still often had to find a freelance job to fulfill my passion for books and traveling , I was happy to live it anyway. Work anywhere as long as the lawful way clearly překlady makes us get blessings.

I really like writing and foreign languages. That's why I was so happy when I finally got a job at a Japanese company. The languages ​​I learned, English and Japanese, are all used and I can learn new knowledge. However, apparently good at language is not enough.

Being an interpreter and translator  also needs another ability, which is able to adapt. In the following, I describe the attitude  that a beginner interpreter should do to avoid being surprised when he is just working with strangers.

Really Understand The Way of Thinking Foreigners and Questions of Our Country

Oang stranger that has a culture and habits that are far different. Understand that and also don't forget to deepen your insight into the habits and culture of our own nation.
Often when I work as an interpreter , clients from Japan can ask about what is wayang, how dangdut music in Indonesia, to trivial matters why there are Muslim women who wear headscarves and some are not. New things that they find in Indonesia will certainly be asked to interpreters .

No need to understand until it's too deep, at least we don't stammer or just shrug. The interpreter can also be called a national ambassador on a small scale.

Most importantly, adapt to their habits, especially in terms of work. For example, be a person who arrives on time when dealing with Japanese.

Work-Related Vocabulary Research
Who says that research is only useful for writing thesis? Precisely when becoming an interpreter , the mastery of vocabulary is very important.
Unlike the translator who can sit while opening a dictionary, if you become an interpreter, the opportunity to open notes will be very minimal.
Before starting the work, check in detail the scope to be translated. For example, going to be an interpreter in the world of motor racing, then look for vocabulary in the field of motor engines, terms in the world of racing, and so on. Read it again and again until it sticks to memory.

Training the Tongue for Foreign Food
When becoming an interpreter  who accompanies foreign guests, usually we will also be invited to eat together whether it's lunch or dinner with other clients.
Get used to our tongue to enjoy other countries food that may not initially match. You don't have to be able to eat it all, choose some menus that we can enjoy.

Usually the client will feel very appreciated if the interpreter can eat the menu of their country, except for drinks or food that is forbidden for Muslims, so convey well if we can not eat it.

Avoid Asking Personal Questions
Even though you have been conversing closely with clients, avoid asking about age, marital status, and religion. This includes sensitive topics that enter the private domain and if asked can potentially offend them.

Open a conversation about the season in the country, their traditional culture, favorite food, or the impression while in Indonesia.

Casual conversation will also melt the atmosphere so as not to appear stiff. We also have to see what kind of client character. When they look tired, let the client rest.

Make the Client a Mentor
Although we have prepared ourselves with vocabulary and complete understanding of the scope of work being translated, there will be parts that we do not fully understand as interpreters .
When we do not know what the name and function of an object must be translated, for example the function of a machine, immediately ask the client to avoid translation errors.

When you are free, write down things that are not yet understood and ask back to those who are more expert. Foreigners really appreciate interpreters who want to learn and are not knowledgeable.

Be Professional, Not Double-Faced
One problem that arises when we become interpreters is trying to be neutral between two different clients. The task of the interpreter is to translate the foreign language into Indonesian and vice versa, which sometimes does not always run smoothly.

Especially in the middle of a meeting for business decision making, for example, there will be suspicion from the local party or the foreign party if each other keeps a secret.

Interpreters must not take sides. Don't leak the secrets of both parties. Be professional. If there is one party who says bad, convey the opinion in polite language so as not to offend.


That's the six attitudes that must be understood by beginner interpreters . Be kind and broaden your horizons so that the process of translating is smooth and satisfying the client. Good luck!