Lost in Translation

Can I just say, translating is not a simple task.  I think I'm realizing my own naivete in thinking that a translation internship would be a cakewalk.

Let's make one thing clear: if you speak two languages with enough proficiency, you no longer rely on real-time, internal interpretation to figure out what people are saying.  Proficient bilinguals and polyglots (people who speak multiple languages) don't sit there during conversations consciously trying to map out what is being said.  They just listen and respond, similar to what you would do in your first language.  Thus, there's not some set English script in my head for when I'm speaking French that I can turn to that will work every time (likewise in the other direction).

When I thought about my  translation internship, I thought "Oh this will be easy.  I speak French pretty well, English is my native language...cake"

Then I got here, and like running into a brick wall (or in the case of this poor woman, a glass door)...

This is a gem...I wish it were a gif

...I realized the foolishness of what I had done. 

Just kidding.  I love the internship! It's true, though, that translation is not as easy as one might think, especially with deadlines and expectations of professionalism.  I mentioned a few posts ago that I was translating the website for PL4Y International ... it's a beast! It's technically finished, but I have some cleaning touches and edits to do.  There are also little links, page headers, etc. that are resisting attempts to be changed, so it's a lot of collaboration with our web team.  I'm learning so much :) 

Never have I been so pushed in terms of technicality in syntax and semantics.  Nor in vocabulary, I might add, as I had to constantly search for the British way of saying things.  The hardest part though, was knowing the meaning of the French (see paragraph 2), but not having adequate terminology in English to translate to.  Or having too many English terms to choose from.  On top of that, I also "get" to edit all the French content (due to the nature of the language, native French speakers, even when educated, can be prone to making subtle grammatical mistakes in writing...it's hard to find an equivalent in English...it's not like spelling mistakes.  It would be more like correcting me for leaving prepositions at the end of my sentences [which I do all the time...even in this very post]...but even then, it's not the same.  Frenchies, you know what I'm talking about - fautes d'accord, conjugaison, etc.) It's thrilling (sense the tone).

In any case, I'm so thankful to be here, working, learning, eating.  It's the bombdotcom.  Six-weeks already...here's to six more!