Genaro HERNANDEZ
Description
Interpreting proficiency is not necessarily an acquired skill. It does help having specialized studies and training, but a college diploma or a university degree does not necessarily make one a better interpreter. It takes having innate cognitive and intuitive abilities to capture the meaning of a dialog, or speech to convey the true meaning of what is being expressed. This is augmented by having at least some familiarity with the speaker's background or culture.
Regarding translation, being bilingual does not necessarily make one a good translator. Avid readers have a more extensive vocabulary than the norm, and though this vocabulary does not readily come to the individual during normal speech, it does when he/she is a translator and is in the process of thinking of and finding the correct or more exact term to use for conveying the truest meaning of the source text. To cap this topic, I do not use translation software. Though pundits claim that AI will eventually take over these two skills, my opinion is that there will always be the need for a human to at least proof-read automated translations and correct misinterpretations. AI will simply never reach 100% accuracy.
It also helps in both activities having at least some familiarity with the writer or speaker's ethnic background or culture, since many terms and/or expressions have different meanings depending on many factors, such as the environment, the context, the level of education, etc.
I have not taken any type of formal interpreting or translation training but took a liking to the English language during my adolescent years (60 or so years ago), when I attained the highest marks in my English class. In those years I would befriend any foreigner who came to my native country, Ecuador, and in particular my city, Manta, for business or pleasure. We would develop a symbiotic relationship in which I would get to learn and practice my English and the foreigner would obtain the free services of a tourist guide and interpreter.
That helped me when I arrived in Canada, in 1972. I was already fluently bilingual and became the defacto translator/interpreter for the large number of Latin Americans who arrived in droves in that decade seeking refuge or simply a better future for themselves and their families. This kickstarted my interpreting abilities since I was exposed to many individuals from varied countries. Further, I never thought of becoming an interpreter or translator since later on I went to college and upon graduation landed a good job in Information Technology, which I expected would take me into retirement. Not! The advent of the Internet and social networks destroyed my employer's business and I was let go prior to the business shutting down in Canada. The business was 'social expression'... greeting, birthday, anniversary cards, and the like.
Thus, I had to earn a living after being rejected at reemployment at the ripe age of 56. It was not difficult to realize that I could earn a living doing something that I had honed for many years but never charged a cent for: interpreting and translations.
I now run a small Spanish language services business whose work load is fine for my age... no heavy loads, no urgent deadlines to meet, etc. Further, the plandemic gave me the opportunity to become a licensed Paralegal and Immigration Consultant.
It's worth noting that the level of proficiency in the English language in order to become the latter is the highest possible. Having passed those stringent requirements I'm proud to say that I must have what it takes in terms of language proficiency.
I spend my free time translating books whose contents I find interesting and doing word puzzles.
Language Pairs
Translating Services
Areas of Specialization
Interpreting Methods
Interpreting Services
Service Type(s)
Level
Individual
Website
Primary Phone
Location
Toronto
ON
M6L2P2
Canada
Native Language(s)
Spanish
Years in Business
1 - 5 years
Education Level
Undergraduate