CITS MA Students Take the First Steps in their Professional Career

Zaira, tell us, please, is this your first experience as a volunteer interpreter?

Unfortunately, yes, it is. Why do I say unfortunately? It is because I already had a chance to try my hand at it, but I did not take part as I did not realize how important it is for an interpreter and what an invaluable experience it is. But this time, when I had a chance to go to the theater and face my fears, I certainly seized the opportunity.

Were you afraid to provide interpretation for a large audience, especially at the press conference when each word you said was recorded by cameras?

I was very afraid. But I wasn’t afraid of the cameras, because being under stress we just didn’t notice them. The biggest fear for me was to speak in public, especially when I had to interpret for an American conductor, go on the stage and speak to an entire orchestra. It was hard for me to reach the drummers, because they were sitting very far away from me, and I’m not sure they heard my interpretation.

What was the attitude of the musicians who you interpreted for towards you?

They gave me a very warm welcome, and it was mostly thanks to the cordiality and assistance from both the American guest and the orchestra that I was able to carry out the interpretation.

As far as I know, this time at the Opera and Ballet Theater you worked not only with an American conductor, but also with concertmasters from Italy and Greece. Who was easier for you to work with?

What concerns language, I would say that it was easier for me to work with the concertmaster from Greece. But here it is important to note that all foreign guests showed their best side and it was a real pleasure to work with them. For me, this once again proved that the work of an interpreter is a valuable treasure that teaches us to appreciate and respect other cultures. When you work as an interpreter, you have a unique opportunity to meet people coming from another corner of the world, learn how they live and view life.

How does CITS prepare you for field work? Is your training here aimed at improving your stress resistance?

The Caspian Higher School of Interpreting and Translation does its best to minimize the difference between theory and practice in our training: 5 minutes of theory and the rest 85 minutes are practice and practice again. I really like the fact that we receive not only linguistic training, but also, for instance, voice training. Classes with Elena Yakovleva are very helpful in this regard.