The Art of Being a Cultural Event Interpreter

Interpreting is an art in itself. Just listening to someone, processing what has been said and saying it back in another language is a challenge and a work of art by its own right. Now, doing that same thing in the cultural realm is a whole other ball game.

A young woman is standing and delivering a speech. She is interpreting. — LatinArab Co-Production forum 2016

Cultural events include activities such as discussions, master classes, Q&As, pitching sessions, and more where international artists and leading voices require interpreting services. In most cases, these events attract a highly specialized and sensitive audience and the topics covered are often profound and even somewhat abstract. This diversity in the activities makes it so that whereas the topics will differ, one thing is common: emotion.

Message in Motion

I will focus on consecutive interpreting because, in Argentina at least, it is not as usual to use simultaneous interpreting for international events like film or music festivals, or art exhibitions. The flexibility that consecutive offers (paired with the fact that it is less expensive) is therefore ideal. What is interesting about this is that because we are physically exposed (as opposed to in a booth in the back of the room) we will use our whole body in addition to our voice. Also, the themes are oftentimes rather emotionally charged, which is important to convey. In order to do so, we will interpret the gestures, the tone, and thus transmit them to audiences to enhance their experience. Sometimes we will need to stand up or move as we speak—all while holding our mics, notepads, and more in our hands, which we will use as props in our delivery.

The Epitome of Cultural Exchange

When talking about cultural events, we are specifically talking about the convergence of different idiosyncrasies. I mean, what is more telling of a country or nation than the way they make movies, poetry, music, art? In this sense, interpretation really does act as a bridge between communities by allowing people to understand one another and appreciate cultural diversity. Nuances, gestures, emotions and contexts are put into play. This helps promote inclusion, mutual understanding and international cooperation.

A woman and two men sit at a table in an auditorium. One of the men talks into the mic while the woman takes notes to interpret what the man is saying next. — International Human Rights Film Festival 2023

Sensitivity, Adaptability and Improvisation

As interpreters, we must be very sensitive to differences and capture the linguistic subtleties and the behaviorsof those involved. This sensitivity enables us to tailor our interpretation to a certain context and guarantee that the message is correctly delivered and relevant. As we do this, we are contributing to creating an environment of respect and appreciation for different points of view and traditions.
Also, such encounters sometimes surprise us with unexpected situations or last-minute changes. Adaptability and improvisation are key skills we must possess to be able to deal with such curveballs with grace and quickly adjust and find solutions to ensure our interpretation is fluid and accurate. Oh, are there less microphones than originally agreed? Has the speaker gone on for ten minutes straight? Has an activity been rescheduled?
All this and more can happen and the way we cope with it will translate into the final result.

Why Hire Someone Who Specializes in the Cultural Industries?

When one is immersed in this universe, they can really grasp the message and thus do it justice—that which cannot be understood, shall be misinterpreted. My experience as an Art History and Fashion Design student and as an art enthusiast has given me an array of resources that not only help me fully understand the topics, but also to empathize with both speakers and audiences and naturally convey the tone and make my interpretation as compelling as the original speech.

✨ It’s Showtime! ✨

Personally, such assignments bring me the most joy because I get to bring all my skillset to the table and relish in the humane dimension of it all. The satisfaction of being the one who facilitates live interaction between the parties is unmatched. Before I start, I always tell myself, “It’s showtime!” and find that it helps bring out the performer in me and show up.

In a nutshell, the paralinguistic elements that I have mentioned will be the key to taking cultural events to the next level and help organizations achieve their main target: to spread the word. At the end of the day, we are all in the same boat.