METM26 presentation

Please mind the gap: does the translation/interpreting divide still matter?

Tatiana Kaplun, Strasbourg, France

In today’s multilingual environment, translation and interpretation are often marketed as separate services, particularly in Europe. Yet, private market clients rarely think in those terms. They tend to think in terms of outcomes. Will the meeting be a success? Is the documentation in order? Will anything undermine their public image? Such clients expect communication – and communication professionals – to deliver. So why do we, as language professionals, continue to insist on the divide? And should we, given the challenges we all face?

Yes, the distinction matters. As translators, editors and interpreters, we know that all too well. We are aware of the differences in skills, training and cognitive processes. But a lesson in terminology is not what our clients need. They are looking for clarity and straightforward solutions that work. Perhaps we should not try to correct the next client who confuses “translation” with “interpretation”. What if we were to reframe the conversation, and offer not isolated services, but a comprehensive communication package?

This talk – potentially of interest to all language professionals – will explore practical and professionally viable ways for making that happen by outlining two possible paths:

• expanding your own service range responsibly and in a way that is operationally smart, including realistic considerations of training, investment and ethical boundaries
• building structured collaborations, with coordinated preparation efforts, shared terminology management, joint client briefings and feedback sessions that ensure consistency across written and spoken communication.

We will examine how closer collaboration increases quality, reduces risks, and improves your positioning in the market, making your business more resilient in the process. And if you keep an open mind, this talk might just give you the inspiration to explore new ideas and a blueprint for moving away from isolated services to a more cohesive communication package.

About the presenter

Tatiana Kaplun, PhD (AIIC, SFT), is a conference, business and diplomatic interpreter and freelance translator based in Strasbourg. Accredited by several international institutions, she has also worked extensively in the private market, and in interpreter training and academic research. She enjoys music and watercolour painting in her free time.