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Interpreter Breaks Down How Real-Time Translation Works | WIRED

Conference interpreter Barry Slaughter Olsen explains what it’s really like to be a professional interpreter. Barry goes behind the scenes of his vocation, breaking down the many real-life scenarios he faces on a day-to-day basis. From simultaneous and consecutive interpretation to chuchotage and décalage, take a peek behind what it really takes to be a…

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Conference interpreter Barry Slaughter Olsen explains what it’s really like to be a professional interpreter. Barry goes behind the scenes of his vocation, breaking down the many real-life scenarios he faces on a day-to-day basis. From simultaneous and consecutive interpretation to chuchotage and décalage, take a peek behind what it really takes to be a professional interpreter.

Barry Slaughter Olsen is the Professor of Translation and Interpretation at Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

Footage of Muammar Gaddafi at the 64th General Assembly provided by the United Nations. (The views in the film are not those of the United Nations).

Conference Earpiece courtesy of Conference Rental.

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Interpreter Breaks Down How Real-Time Translation Works | WIRED

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26 Comments

26 Comments

  1. FS S

    July 4, 2019 at 1:30 am

    Wow

  2. Dylan Sunday

    July 4, 2019 at 4:32 am

    That note taking segment made my jaw drop honestly. That is amazing.

  3. Jess M

    July 4, 2019 at 5:29 am

    Such a cool video!

  4. Simon Gunnarson

    July 4, 2019 at 5:50 am

    Is that Markaplier’s dad?

  5. Dave Daniels

    July 4, 2019 at 5:59 am

    ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

  6. Jacob

    July 4, 2019 at 7:47 am

    Why don’t they just use one interpreter since they both speak the same two languages, or is that a security hazard?

  7. Antony

    July 4, 2019 at 7:59 am

    That perfecta idiota, got me ????????????????

  8. ViRz

    July 4, 2019 at 8:22 am

    They just explained a job for more of what it

  9. KevInKobe

    July 4, 2019 at 11:07 am

    So much respect for interpreters.
    I couldn’t quite figure out why I was tired so soon every day after I moved to a different country. But listening to this kinda rings a bell.

  10. BergerMan Gaming

    July 4, 2019 at 11:49 am

    I’d prefer Comedy Central’s translator

  11. fachri fadilla

    July 4, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    Wow

  12. Hamdi Zind El-Hadid

    July 4, 2019 at 12:25 pm

    Thank you so much for this very enlightening video!

  13. Aki Tatsumi

    July 4, 2019 at 12:49 pm

    6:03 FOOL

  14. Avec Mật

    July 4, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    I cried in tear the last part. =)))

  15. Clems First

    July 4, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    These guy’s out there translating real time. Meanwhile I’m out here needing 1 hour just to find the correct word to add to my sentence.

  16. Alia

    July 4, 2019 at 3:23 pm

    does this job pay well ?

    • Psyduck Squad

      July 4, 2019 at 4:43 pm

      According to google, they make a decent wage. In 2015, The average US federal government interpreter/translator made $75,000 yearly. The average for all interpreters/translators is less at $44,000 yearly.

  17. †Christian H†

    July 4, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    I wouldn’t make a career out of it, but I would like to do some interpreting at some point in my life.

  18. Mat S

    July 4, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    Slaughter is an awesome middle name

  19. Mason

    July 4, 2019 at 5:21 pm

    Me: *exists*
    My teacher: 5:57

  20. Devilman: Crybaby

    July 4, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    “Whispring is bad for the vocal chords.”

    *IT’S FREE REAL ESTATE*

  21. Carolyn Segovia

    July 4, 2019 at 7:40 pm

    I was in a semi-diplomatic luncheon once as a teenager, and the country’s representative had an interpreter that insisted on doing simultaneous translation for both parties (our translator got a break lol), but I remember seeing how frazzled and tired she was…now that I know that 30 minutes is the recommended time before swapping I’m blown away, because our lunch thing was at least 4 hours of continuous conversation. Poor woman.

  22. KiyokaMakibi

    July 4, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    That was fascinating. These translators are so skilled! The explanation behind translating jokes was my favourite! Had to laugh at the “Please laugh” part XD

  23. A S.

    July 4, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    This was such a nice video! Being a translator seems pretty stressful though.

  24. GoodKnightRob

    July 4, 2019 at 9:24 pm

    How interpreters interpret errors/stutters in a speech? Do they correct as they processes the translation or genuinely translate the error?

  25. JoeOfCourse

    July 5, 2019 at 12:16 am

    The best part of the video was when she folded the back page to make a legend. Mind blown

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