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Lost in interpretation
Many years ago, I traveled to Brazil to give a keynote speech in São Paulo before about 200 people. It was for a conference on computer-aided design (CAD) and I was going to talk about "strategic technology planning." Since I don't speak Portuguese (and I most definitely couldn't give a detailed business talk in the language), the venue provided an interpreter. In other words, while I spoke into the microphone, someone interpreted what I said into Portuguese from a booth in the back of the room. Many people in the audience wore headsets to hear the translation. What was weird was the time delay in audience reaction to my comments. Those who understood the English would respond immediately (laughing at my joke or whatever it was). The rest of the audience remained expressionless, and then about 60 seconds later they would react. It was sort of like an echo in the audience. And of course, by the time the rest of the audience had reacted, I had moved on in my speech. It was very disconcerting and I remember moving through much of my speech awkwardly, unsure of my pacing. I felt as if I didn't know what I myself had said. I can't even imagine what it must be like to make arguments or speeches that way all that time, as they do at the United Nations, where the issues are obviously a lot more critical. - Greg (Ohio) Tags: Brazil, interpreter, newsletter, Portuguese, story
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