‘Jokes and Local Customs Are Challenging To Translate’

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Jakarta speaks in many languages, giving added importance to Tirza Reinata’s job as a translator. For her, it is about more than merely translating a document or interpreting a meeting: it’s about bridging the communication gap and transferring ideas from one culture to another.

Today, the 25-year-old alumnus of the University of Indonesia tells My Jakarta about her passion for language, the importance of the role of a translator, the need to keep secrets and her experience translating Indonesian jokes.

Why did you choose to work as a translator and interpreter?

I love language. In this job, you have the opportunity to bridge the communication gap. I believe that one of humanity’s biggest problems is miscommunication, so it’s good to be part of the solution. Also, this is a well-paid job, something that is quite rare in Indonesia.

What are the main challenges of the role?

Contrary to popular belief, translation is not merely converting words from English to Indonesian and vice versa. It’s about transferring ideas and the context to another language, while maintaining accuracy and adjusting to the local culture in the target language, to ensure that the reader will understand the ideas linguistically but also understand what the original author wants them to feel. Jokes and local customs are among the most challenging topics to translate.

Which one you prefer, translating or interpreting?

Both have their own benefits and challenges. Translating documents is not time-bound; you have more time to edit and proofread the translation result, thus minimizing the chance of error. But in terms of payment, it is not as well-paid as interpreting. On the other hand, the best thing about interpreting is you are exposed to different topics and people. The pay rate is higher than for translating, but the chance of error is very big, especially when you are doing simultaneous interpreting, where you provide a verbal translation while people continue to talk about complicated ideas that need your full attention. This is challenging when it is a full-day meeting or workshop.

Have you ever misinterpreted something in a meeting?

Fortunately, I have never experienced a fatal misinterpretation or translation. However, it is very difficult to interpret Indonesian jokes, and Indonesians joke a lot. You can’t translate the jokes word by word; you have to transfer the sense of humor. Once I was in a meeting with some Indonesian officials who were joking using ‘Gayus’ and ‘Jayus’ [the first is an Indonesian convicted of corruption and the latter is the Indonesian word for a pun]. Out of confusion, I just told the foreigners in the meeting, ‘It’s an Indonesian joke; it’s funny, just laugh.’

Is there a code of ethics for interpreters and translators?

You should never take the job lightly; always offer your full concentration. It is not an easy job and the task is very important. If you mistranslate or misinterpret, you can cost someone a fortune, a friendship or a relationship. People love to talk about their job. But for a translator, it is a good idea to restrain from talking about your job to anyone, even to family or close friends. Particularly if you have signed a confidentiality contract. For translators, our job relates to other people’s business; it’s always better to remain silent.

Do you ever hear any interesting ‘confidential information’?

Of course I can’t share [laughs]. Sometimes I get to know that a product is going to be launched months before anyone else knows, or about some scandal in an Indonesian company.

Is certification mandatory?

A lack of certification doesn’t mean someone is not a good translator. But the aim of having certification is to increase your credibility, thus increasing your pay rate. In Indonesia, there is a certification administered by the University of Indonesia’s Institute of Language. It’s always good to have it backing up your CV.

How much can professional translators earn in a month?

That depends on the volume. I also have a full-time job as a project officer, so I can only do translating after office hours and on weekends. As an illustration, a full-time translator can buy a decent car in two months. For a part-time translator, you can expect to make half or a third of that amount. Translating requires time, something that part-timers don’t have a lot of.

Any tips on how to start a career as an interpreter or translator?

Interpreters must have good listening skills and the ability to think very fast. After you master the fundamental skill, it’s all about networking. Always make sure that your translation is of great quality, so the good word will be spread. Advertise your ability to your peers, because people will remember you when they need the service.

Tirza Reinata was talking to Denny Firmanto Halim.

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