I hate interpreting. Well, no, actually I quite like it. Interpreting and translation are in fact my second profession. But I hate doing interpreting and translation jobs in Scotland as most of the agencies are managed or run by nutcases who don’t really care if you get hurt, raped or eventually killed in the process. Besides, the clients too often strangely forget you’re an interpreter with a rigid code of conduct to stick to and not an escort girl or a tourist guide ready to satisfy any of their needs.
So I promised myself I wasn’t going to accept any more interpreting or translation jobs while in Scotland. Yet, tempted by the interpreting bug, I ended up breaking my promise yesterday. Now, the worst thing that can happen to you is going to end up interpreting during a delicate situation (in hospital/medical environments, in court, prison etc.); the best thing – if you can handle it – is what I call interpretation-cum-media manipulation session, that is interpreting during a press conference. Unfortunately yesterday’s job didn’t involve anything too glamorous, but just a bunch of slightly dodgy Italian characters who bought a derelict Scottish team (why? who knows, I guess some kind of Italian criminal organisation is laundering money in Scotland, but nobody seems to have guessed it…). Whatever the press conference is about, language skills and a good memory aren’t the only important assets here, looking the part while the person you are interpreting for speaks is indeed an integral part of the job. After all the media will be looking and listening to you, so a reasonably stylish look can help building the much needed credibility and give you enough self-assurance. In my experience, I found that a good accessory can definitely help you feeling glamorously professional.
My personal trademark is a Jean-Charles de Castelbajac silk scarf. I received it as a present from my mum 17 years ago. JC/DC was rather popular in those years in Italy, he was seen as this eccentric French nobleman coming up with the most colourful creations, taking inspiration from characters such as Snoopy, the Pink Panther and Mickey Mouse, fusing them with a pop art aesthetic and a good dose of joie de vivre.
My mum bought the scarf as I was going on a school trip to Paris and wanted me to have something new to bring with me (I guess it was a little attempt at turning the usual scruffy me in an elegant girl...). Silhouettes of white clouds and green and orange stars float on the black scarf background. A sketchy, almost childish, drawing of a little house is printed at the two ends on yellow and blue backgrounds. The big, bold, colourful and chaotic letters spell out the words “Dream Garden”, giving the item a Pop Art-meets-sumptuousness feeling.
Throughout the years the scarf has become a permanent feature of my look during interpreting session and film lectures. It is a cherished memento of past times and an accessory with the power of instantly putting me into a joyful mood. I know this sounds a bit obsessive, but I wrote a story about it last year, entitled “JC/DC, Mum Docet”.
So, if you want to splash money on something a bit special, my guess is go for a statement scarf, something that will stand the test of times thanks to its quirky print, its luxurious fabric or its special texture. You won’t regret it.
What I wore with the scarf? A fitted cropped trouser suit in satin in honour of Yves Saint Laurent, but I guess the reference was somehow lost during yesterday’s rather unglamorous interpreting session...
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