Until a few years ago, interest in interpreting in NGOs had been rather limited. Traditionally, official teaching in translation and interpretation has included only the health and legal-administrative fields. It was very easy to find articles delving into the difficulties and characteristics of these specialties, highlighting the importance of terminology in each and the need for knowledge of the judicial and health care systems. It seemed that interpretation in NGOs had no greater scope.
However, for some time now, there has been one issue that has carved out a relevant space among the interests of interpreting professionals: that of NGOs.
It is not strange that political asylum and refugia have become hot topics: the great migration crisis is affecting millions of people around the world. Therefore, interpreting in NGOs has become a very attractive career opportunity for professionals of certain languages, such as Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, or Georgian.
Interpreting in NGOs
At International Congresses we have focused for some time on interpreting in NGOs to help hundreds of refugees who really need to be heard. It is not easy for an interpreter to lock himself in a room for an hour or two to listen and repeat heartbreaking and extremely painful stories, but not to do so would be to look the other way. If there is anyone who needs a voice that can listen and understand them, that someone is those who are experiencing extremely difficult situations.
Interest in 'interpreting in NGOs has developed gradually and quietly, but it is already very present. Many organizations such as Open Arms have their own interpreters, who are sometimes sent to points of entry into the country, such as airports or borders, to ensure that refugees know their rights and receive initial support in an unfamiliar country.
As interpreters, our job is to lend our voice to ensure communication between two interlocutors who, because of language barriers, could not understand each other otherwise. This means that we, as people, must remain in the background, our body language must be unobtrusive and our voice, which will be at the center of everything, clear and professional.
How interpreting works in NGOs
However, in practice, things are not so simple. The work of interpreters is crucial in the reception process, both for the workers and for the refugees themselves. But it is difficult to remain indiffirenti davnti to the dramatic human events and not get emotionally involved.
In this context it is very easy to forget our professional role. This is a mistake, since the social worker is also in a very delicate position and can feel excluded from a communicative process of which he or she is an active and primordial part. That is why neutrality is a very valuable resource in interpretation in NGOs and as professionals we must take it into account at all times.
International Congresses and Interpreting in NGOs.
At International Congresses we have refined our training to prepare our interpreters to work with NGOs. Nothing is left to chance: we assess all difficulties, trying to ensure that our interpreters can compensate for the shortcomings of official teachings. We have done this with all those organizations that understand that it is vital for refugees to be able to express themselves. At International Congresses we provide them with interpreting services in NGOs, both face-to-face and by phone, so that they always feel supported.
We want to break down borders, whatever they may be, and we will always support anyone who needs us to lend our voice to them with our work.
Marketing Team Congressi Internazionali
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