Advice in Public Speaking From Great German, French and Portuguese Translators
Throughout history, translation and interpretation professionals have used public speaking as a vital means of communication. It is still ture today what Greek philosopher Pericles said centuries ago: “Those forming a judgment on something they cannot explain may also never have considered the subject. Language translation, as its name implies, is a way of making your ideas public—of sharing them with international audiences for the sole purpose of influencing those who are listening. Audiences worldwide have been influenced by speakers who have been sharing their views on an international level. In the United States, the list includes Kennedy, Graham, Chavez, Jordan, Reagan, King, Clinton, and Obama. Expanding the list internationally, we cannot but mention Margaret Thatcher – former British Prime Minister, South African leader Nelson Mandela, Burmese democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, and Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai. As we go through these names we may say, “Good for them, but this has nothing to do with me. I have no intention of being like them.” Yet, translation, interpretation and communcatioun of high quality are on such a demand that we will certainly need them one day or another. What would your reaction be in any of these situations?
Imagine you were one of seven manager trainees in an international software company. One of you will get the lower—management job that has just opened. A meeting is to be held at which the trainees’ qualifications will be assessed. The selection is carried out on the basis of education, expertise and professionalism relevant to the managerial position. They have no foreign language experience and lack public speaking skills. You, though, rely on the skills acquired during your Portuguese Translation Services practice and on what you have learned in your courses in public speaking. No other candidate can deliver a comprehensible, persuasive and coherent lecture to Portuguese speaking clients. Thus you get the job.
You are a French National who, along with your family, has recently been sent to the United States on a two-year assignment. Your child needs a special teacher for his learning. You hear that your local school board has decided, for budget reasons, to eliminate the special teacher who has been helping your child. In order to speak for yourself you hire a French Translation company to persuade the school board not to lay off the specialized teacher. As a result, they keep the teacher.
You are a trainee manager in the main office of a well-known company. The supervisor you work under is retiring and there will be a retirement dinner. All the executives from the home office in Berlin, Germany will attend. Your colleagues ask you to give a farewell toast at the party. Due to your German Translation Services skills you are very successful in delivering an English/German speech in honor to your former boss. You are applauded by everyone – some people even drop a tear. The next week you are promoted to a managerial position.
These are all real situations. What most employers look for in university graduates is communication skills (translation and public speaking) – shows a survey conducted among 480 companies. In another such survey college graduates were asked to outline the most important skill necessary for their career. Which was the top one?
The importance of such skill is undeniable – for all spheres of life.
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