Your current location:HOME >world >VOX POPULI: Ippei Mizuhara’s interpretation skills make the news even sadder 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 11:16:06 Source: Internet compilationEdit:world
When I was a university student working part time as an interpreter, my instructor often cautioned m
When I was a university student working part time as an interpreter, my instructor often cautioned me, “Neither add to, nor subtract from, what you are supposed to be translating. Remember to remain completely ‘invisible.’”
I deserved the warning because whenever I was surprised or flummoxed on the job, it would show on my face. Every time I was told that other people found my reactions irritating, I acutely felt the difficulty of this job.
Masao Kunihiro (1930-2014), dubbed the “god of simultaneous interpretation,” was my hero. I once wrote him a letter. To my surprise and utter delight, he wrote me back, encouraging me to “study and master the basics.”
But I had neither the quickness of mind nor the moxie he considered essential to the profession, and I eventually gave up.
Ippei Mizuhara, the long-time interpreter of Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been fired over suspected illegal gambling.
In a statement he issued during a news conference on March 26, Ohtani said his feelings “could not be easily described in words.” They must have been quite complex, given his closeness to Mizuhara.
Watching a different interpreter sitting next to Ohtani, it suddenly occurred to me that I had never seen Mizuhara take notes even during formal news conferences.
I remember being taught to “write down numbers and proper nouns,” but Mizuhara may have been blessed with an outstanding memory.
He translated even lengthy questions by U.S. reporters with apparent ease, sometimes “embellishing” or “editing out” to ensure clarity.
When Ohtani was injured and his mobility was hampered, Mizuhara brought him food and took him to physical therapy appointments. During the Home Run Derby preceding an All-Star Game, he even served as Ohtani’s catcher.
Mizuhara’s role far exceeded that of an interpreter. He was perhaps able to translate without taking notes because he was fully confident of his unshakable relationship of mutual trust with Ohtani.
Interpretation may well have been his calling. But it ended all too abruptly.
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 27
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Germany far2024-05-22 11:14
Racial bias did not shape Mississippi's water funding decisions for capital city, EPA says2024-05-22 10:58
Rafael Nadal shows he's not quite ready for retirement in a comeback win at the Italian Open2024-05-22 10:01
Partner of pregnant Hollyoaks star Frankie Jules2024-05-22 09:52
Scheffler back to work at Colonial and Stricker returns to Senior PGA in Michigan2024-05-22 09:24
2 skiers killed after being caught in Utah avalanche following late spring snowstorms, sheriff says2024-05-22 09:20
Charli XCX puts on busty display in VERY low2024-05-22 09:14
Rafael Nadal shows he's not quite ready for retirement in a comeback win at the Italian Open2024-05-22 08:55
Wisconsin regulators investigating manure spill that caused mile2024-05-22 08:49
Boy aged TEN is accused of 'abhorrent' sexual assault of Italian tourist, 232024-05-22 08:42
Iran's nuclear policy unlikely to change even after president's death2024-05-22 11:11
Racial bias did not shape Mississippi's water funding decisions for capital city, EPA says2024-05-22 10:39
Schauffele shoots 67 to take Wells Fargo lead. McIlroy in contention again at Quail Hollow2024-05-22 10:32
Brits face summer holiday hell as M25 is set to shut AGAIN in August2024-05-22 10:22
Diddy's ex2024-05-22 10:02
Apple's new iPad ad has struck a nerve online. Here's why2024-05-22 09:58
Racial bias did not shape Mississippi's water funding decisions for capital city, EPA says2024-05-22 09:55
How to turn a supermarket bouquet into a lusher, more personalized flower arrangement2024-05-22 09:10
Lawsuit says ex2024-05-22 09:09
Inside Instagram 'bully' Katherine Asplundh's extravagant wedding to billionaire husband2024-05-22 08:44