An interview with Sonia – the diary of a Spanish linguist

We work with multiple linguists, all with their own areas of specialisation. This week we’ve been talking with Sonia, who often produces one-step translations (or ‘direct translations’) for Knockhundred. Here’s an abridged transcript of our interview.

The Interview:

Interviewer: So, Sonia, tell me a bit about yourself? What do you do?

Sonia: Well, as you know, I work on lots of different projects, so it really depends. Spanish translation, interpreting those kinds of things really.

Interviewer: OK, so let’s start from the beginning. How did you get into working with languages?

Sonia: Well, I’m Spanish and I did an English degree, then I did a Masters in Translation and kept studying. Eventually I got to the point where I was only working on Spanish language projects.

Interviewer: OK, so you work in Spanish and in English right?

Sonia: Yes, but I am Spanish, so when I translate documents (like birth certificates or presentations for example), it is always from English into Spanish. If I am interpreting, then it can be either into Spanish, or into English, when we are talking. But when I am working from videos or audio, then I am often working into English! It’s a bit confusing I guess!

Interviewer: So how does that work?

Sonia: Well, if I am working on a documentary film, then sometimes there might be an interview or something, where the Spanish person speaks quickly, or in a dialect. I may be better at being able to understand exactly what someone is saying, because I am a native speaker.

Interviewer: OK. I see. So it might be different if someone is working from Spanish audio?

Sonia: Yes, basically, because sometimes I can pick up more of what is said. Then my transcript is checked by a native English speaker.

Interviewer: Got it. So you said you work on documentaries. What do you call that, when you are transcribing the Spanish into English?

Sonia: There are a few industry terms, ‘direct translation’ or ‘one-step translation’, those are the most well-known, I think.

Interviewer: And what kind of audio/video files do you work on?

Sonia: Oh, all sorts. It can be anything really. Documentaries, like I said, recordings of telephone calls, police recordings – all those kinds of things.

Interviewer: Wow. So it’s pretty varied then. Are there any assignments that you particularly like or dislike?

Sonia: Well, I like the variety, generally. The good thing about the audiovisual jobs is that I can work from home, whereas with interpreting jobs, I get to travel around Kent quite a bit. I just like to keep busy.

Interviewer: I won’t take up any more of your time. Thanks for talking to us today and have a good afternoon.

Sonia: Great, and you too.