Khaaan!

...or why Star Trek and the universal translator can give us geeky insight into the future of interpreting.

Notice: this is a tribble-free article.

The basic premise of Start Trek, as any viewer knows, is that the starship Enterprise, in one of its numerous incarnations, travels around the galaxy, exploring, meeting new life-forms, finding new civilizations (and doing so boldly).  This raises brings up the inevitable problem of communication.  Communication can be in person, via viewscreen, or through audio communication only.  In versions of the series set at earlier points in the timeline, the so-called universal translator is as yet imperfect, thus requiring trained linguists to be part of the crew.  But even in later times, the translator can break down, or simply be incapable of parsing some species' modes of communication.

As an interpreter, professional curiosity encouraged me to reflect on what this might mean for our profession.

The waiting

I've always felt that one of the main perks of being a well-paid, highly-skilled gun for hire is that you get to set your own hours.

As it turns out, much like the gun-slinger, interpreters spend vast quantities of time waiting anxiously - for the next client to call, the next institutional accreditation dates, the results to be announced, the speaker you're interpreting to start speaking, your language combination becomes needed at a meeting, or, worst of all, for your pay.

Each of these is an invitation to while away minutes, hours and days worrying, gnawing at your soul.  Some of these factors lessen over time, some you get used to, and some you learn to manage better or avoid entirely.

In my - admittedly so far limited - experience, it's nearly impossible to do without.

A year and counting

Echo...echo...

I have to admit I've been lax.  But I've been away.  And working.  And so on.

Writing an interpreting blog is a challenge.  You want to share your experiences, which are highly personal.  But you also write about events that involve others, and you don't want to ruffle feathers (or risk the consequences on your nascent career).

So what do you do?

You waffle.  Mmh, waffles.