During his regular reading session, Raju came across the following introductory line of a chapter.

Here’s something you’ll never hear: “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” sung as the bride walks down the aisle. Or “Pomp and Circumstance” at a funeral. Or “Hail to the Chief” at the grand opening of a neighborhood fast-food restaurant. Context is everything in determining what is appropriate.

The author of the book was American, while Raju hailed from India. As he read the paragraph, it left him puzzled. Fortunately, he had the advantage of reading it on his computer. Turning to Google, he sought information on the three songs mentioned:

He searched, “When is ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ sung?” and found that the chorus is traditionally sung during the seventh-inning stretch of a baseball game.

Having an Indian background, Raju was familiar with cricket and football but had to look up “baseball” and “difference between baseball and cricket.”

Now, what could “Pomp and Circumstance” mean at a funeral? He wondered if it might involve some form of celebration, which isn’t common in many Indian funerals. However, curiosity led him to discover that “Pomp and Circumstance” is associated with graduations.

“Hail to the Chief” at the grand opening of a neighborhood fast-food restaurant would be inappropriate. But what exactly is “Hail to the Chief”? Raju’s inquisitive mind was at it again. Thanks to technology, he was enlightened that this song is traditionally played by the U.S. Marine Band to announce the President’s arrival. Raju realized that just as an average American might not understand when “sare jaham se achha” is sung in India, he wouldn’t have grasped the context of “Hail to the Chief.”

Reading allows us to make assumptions and grasp the overall message the author intends. Raju’s approach, supplemented by cultural context, facilitates effective translation. However, the question arises: Could Raju undertake an interpretation of the given paragraph?

Interpretation thrives on spoken language in real time, while translation revolves around written content. Translators usually have time for preparation, revision, editing, and perhaps peer review. Interpreters, in contrast, lack such luxuries; they listen and instantaneously reproduce in the target language. Moreover, interpreters gauge audience reactions as they work. Immediate feedback can make or break an interpreter, necessitating emotional composure during live sessions.

My initiation into interpretation dates back to school days, when I translated an English speech to my mother tongue during a youth program. Initially confident, I soon encountered stumbling blocks, but over the years, I’ve interpreted for various speakers across diverse contexts.

Returning to the book’s paragraph: To excel in live interpretation, understanding American culture, lifestyle, and the target audience is imperative. Preparation plays a pivotal role in any interpretation, encompassing the speaker’s world, subject domain, and commonly used terms. Ultimately, an interpreter must realize that their role isn’t akin to playing a recorded TV show, but an active participant in a live program.