Sue Leschen

GETTING STICK – THE PERILS OF INTERPRETING AND TRANSLATING CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT MATTER

There is nothing more soothing than interpreting or translating topics that nobody is going to take issue with! But, what if you are working in controversial areas where your clients are political parties, NGOs or newly arrived asylum seekers? What if whilst your clients are very grateful for your services, you are aware for example that some vocal members of the pubic and even some of your colleagues are expressing their disapproval of what you are doing on social media and elsewhere with comments like “don’t waste public money on interpreting for rapists/migrants/ people on strike,” or similar?

In this session we will look at the issues involved which can often range from bullying to out and out overt or covert removal of the “offender” from professional organisations and net working groups. 

We will consider the options and strategies available so that we can effectively navigate any troubled waters we chose to sail on. Criminal proceedings are already ongoing in Greece involving volunteers helping migrants there – will interpreters be next?

BIOGRAPHY

Sue Leschen is an entrepreneurial lawyer – linguist who has married her twin passions of law and languages together. Her niche market company is Avocate Legal and Business French Interpreting and Translation Services Ltd (https. www.avocate.co.uk )

Sue is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and is also a member of CIOL’s Interpreting Division Steering Group and holds Chartered Linguist (Interpreter) status.

Sue is an active member of the Association of Police and Court Interpreters (APCI), the Association of Interpreters and Translators (AIT) and also of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI).