Found in Translation: How I Translate My Previous Experience to My Practice

During Book Week this year, I was invited to talk to Class 2 children at Waikato Waldorf School about people who are not mentioned too often when we talk about books: translators.

We talked about how books are getting translated so that children in different countries can read the same books and know the same characters, although their names sound different. I asked them to find repeating words in a poem they couldn’t understand because it was a Russian translation, and some did beautifully and even pronounced the words!

My previous professional identity is just that: I did a lot of translation. (Technically, translation is a written form and when you translate a conversation it’s called interpretation and the person facilitating it is an interpreter. For this text, I’ll refer to both ways, written and spoken, as “translation” and to both professions as “translator”).

I probably could have stayed at the University and pursued a PhD in linguistics of some sort, but I went straight to the field. Okay, it was mostly an office, but sometimes with actual trips to the construction site. I started interacting with people from different cultures: Indian, French, Lebanese, Italian, and later on English-speaking cultures of all sorts. I had to help them communicate and learn first-hand how different we all can be sometimes in thinking, doing and showing agreement or disagreement.

What does it mean for you when you come to see me now as a Feldenkrais® practitioner and pain educator?

1. I listen. And hear

To translate something, a translator needs to grasp the meanings behind the words. The words are not always translatable and sometimes disguise what needs to be felt.

Now, I listen deeply to understand what’s behind the words you tell me. Sometimes the biggest part of the first session is you talking and me listening. Because it’s needed.

I also can listen with my hands. And I hold your space while you learn to attend to your sensations.

2. I ask questions. A lot of!

A word can mean one variety of things in one language and another variety when translated. To get to the point, a translator needs to understand the context and ask clarifying questions.

Now, I realise that our life experiences, the languages and the cultural ideas we grew up with differ a lot. I ask many questions to ensure I come as close as possible to understanding the meanings you put in when you tell me your story. Because that’s how I can help you to start finding a new meaning in what’s going on and getting beyond your story.

3.  I look at the metaphors you use

We all use metaphors, and most people think they are merely things of language, little embellishments or ways of expression. Because language has been my professional interest, I know that it’s not true and metaphors reflect our thinking. Metaphors are also rooted in our flesh: we think this way because we have this kind of body living on this kind of planet. We have a bright future in front of us because that’s where our eyes are, and we have ups and downs because there is gravity.

Now, I pay close attention to the metaphors you use – about your pain, your injuries, and your body. This helps me to start unravelling your pain story with you and seed new, more helpful, ideas and metaphors that could grow in you with time. Helping you to move in pain-less ways means helping you learn, change and grow.

4. I choose my words

A translator not only seeks to understand the person who is speaking but also the person to whom words are addressed: she needs to know what are the words that the other person is operating with so that the meaning can be conveyed with the smallest losses possible.

Now it means that I will also choose my words carefully based on what I hear so that we can have common ground in conversations on pain and movement. I adjust my language to the words and images you can relate to more easily. Because again, my work, amongst other things, is to create a bridge between where you are now and where you want to be, and this requires a journey – your journey, but with my support.

5.  Mistakes are OK

In my life as a translator/interpreter, I made a lot of mistakes. When you have to interpret on the go and under pressure, without any possibility of taking time to choose your words carefully or check in the dictionary, everything can happen. Some conversations went sour because of me. My translations were laughed at by native speakers. People rolled their eyes over what I said in front of big crowds. All because I spoke languages that I didn’t acquire naturally but got through learning.

Now, I know that everyone makes things that others consider mistakes. For me, it’s an integral part of learning and I praise when something doesn’t go smoothly. Because it makes you pay attention. Also, when you are not afraid of making “mistakes”, you explore movement and ideas with more freedom – which is way more important than doing things “correctly”.

6.  I don’t have to agree with you to respect you

That’s right. When a translator facilitates a conversation, she often connects two people with different and even opposite opinions. Sometimes these conversations are hard and on the brink of yelling. A good translator has to remain neutral and respectful to both sides.

Also when you speak a few languages, the main thing you learn is that different people have not only different words but also different ways of thinking. My kids grow up knowing that the same thing or process can have at least three names (English, Dutch, Russian), meaning it can be looked at in a variety of ways. And that’s how my world is.

That's why if my world and my views are different from yours, it’s fine. I will never experience exactly how it is to walk in your shoes, but I will do my best to imagine and understand. And there will be no judgement from my side. Curiosity and an open mind are the only must’s, but even they come on board naturally if you are willing to try things just a little bit differently.

Let me know if there is anything that resonated with you :)