在路上，学着活

Corporate Blog of Elite - Professional Translation Services serving ASEAN & East Asia

“在路上，谁都会碰见爱情、谎言和幸福，贾平凹碰见了，夏菲碰见了，坐下来聊聊，学着活！”

很久不看书，今天也难得翻下手边的青年文摘，购于上个星期放工回家的路上。偶然发现其实新加坡也有卖读者，知音，青年文摘的报刊摊。惊喜的同时也有种久违的感觉。当然对于我，不读书的借口也很多，最主要的原因是已经过了那个需要读书找灵感、写八股文的高中时代。原来当时语文老师说的话是对的，过了那个纯真的时代，我们开始需要的是在生活里找哲理，而不再局限于书本，然而却也极端化地从此抛弃了它。

每周一的早上，公司都会有例会。其实就是大家聊聊各自的想法，而主题大多都是对自己的将来有什么规划和安排，就像小学生都会写到的命题作文“我的梦想”。

让我想起了小的时候，不懂为什么要去幼儿园，跟其他小朋友一起学识字，学数数。现在还记得刚去幼儿园的有天晚上，一个人跑到走廊，然后看着天上的星星，计划着怎么逃跑。当然计划没有成功，我很快地被老师发现了，然后拎回去睡觉。只是很多年后的今天，我依然记得当时的那片星空，带着那么一点反叛的味道。然后接下来理所当然地读小学，中学，大学。只是到了大学，我也没真正明白为什么我如所有人一样忙碌。

2年前的出国，当时很认定地它能让自己视野开阔，现在才敢承认有那么一点跟风意味。现在的我就像所有飘在海外的游子一样，努力地找寻自己的坐标。我们一直在路上，从过去读书到现在工作，恍然大悟中才发现原来一切的一切都是学着活。而这一路上父母、老师教予我们的正是如何应对生活的技巧。

当我们这一代开始慢慢懂得生活的真正含义，眼角里开始出现了一丝淡淡忧伤。而我们的忧伤只是因为在别人的故事里，找到了自己的影子。

Xia Zihan
Project Executive
Elite Bilingual Services Pte. Ltd

译者—戴着镣铐的舞者

Corporate Blog of Elite - Professional Translation Services serving ASEAN & East Asia

翻译真的是一门独特的艺术，是的，这里我把翻译称为一种艺术。艺术就需要创作，但是翻译这种创作又不是不受限制、信马由缰。所谓的镣铐就是原文，如果挣脱了这幅枷锁去自由发挥，那就不能称其为翻译了。所以，把翻译比喻成戴着镣铐跳舞是再合适不过了。这种情况下，翻译者自然就是戴着镣铐的舞者。戴着镣铐就是指在翻译过程中要受到原文的种种束缚。

还是把翻译比为舞蹈。舞蹈是通过音乐、形体、运动、表情及姿态来表达感情的一门艺术。优秀的舞者，一定具备两个层面的素质：一是舞蹈功底。没有技巧，内心再丰富的情感也会因缺少表达途径而无人理解。因此，这个难度和技巧就要靠平时的勤学苦练和点滴积累。技巧是展现的手段和工具。第二个层次，就是两个字：“精神”。有了过硬的基本功和高难度的技巧。该如何把这些和舞蹈的内在精神结合在一起。音乐响起时，肢体语言要感动的不只是自己，还有观众。感染力不是技巧的堆砌，是发自内心的对生活对生命的感悟，就像有人说过，高手是跳情而不是跳舞。

那翻译究竟是什么？美国著名的翻译理论家 Eugene A.Nida 给翻译下的定义是：Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message, first in terms of meaning, and second in terms of style. 首先是 meaning （意思），第二就是 style（风格）。这两个方面正是我要用来类比舞蹈的两个层次：翻译既是语言活动，又是思维活动。语言活动是指使用完全不同于原文形式的译文来传达原文信息，所以“准确无误”是最基本的要求，这要求翻译者有深厚的语言功底，对源语言和目标语言都有正确的理解和纯熟的运用能力。同时，翻译也是再创作，原文和译文的等值，也只能是相对的等值，是信息等值或语境等值，而不是字词等值。中国贯通中西的著名文学家钱钟书说过一句话，“译者驱使本国文字，其功夫或非作者驱使原文所能及．故译笔正无妨出原著头地”。这句话可以理解成：翻译是两种文字的一种竞赛。从创作的角度去理解，译者和原作者都属于作者，两个作者表达的是相同的或者是相近的思想，同处在创作这个层面上，译者除了“求真（准确翻译）”还要“求美（用符合目标语言的审美观及价值观表现出译者和译文的风格及特点”。因此，从某种意义上说，翻译就是解释，是带有主观色彩的剖析和理解。翻译中求真和求美的矛盾随着创作和翻译之间界限的消失也得到了调和。

诚然，对于翻译究竟是一门科学还是一门艺术，长期以来诸子百家各执一词。也许是因为我无法改变自己内心对浪漫主义的向往，所以仍坚守：翻译就是艺术。就像英文有artist和artisian一样，华文里也有艺术家和工匠这两个貌似相近，实则内涵迥异的词。即使戴着镣铐跳舞，译者也应该跳得精彩、跳得漂亮！希望我可以做一个富于创作的艺术家，而不仅仅是一个工匠。不妨用文学翻译大家郭沫若的一句话做为本文的结语吧，“翻译家不是鹦鹉，应该在翻译过程中涌起创作的冲动”。

By

Jean Zhang | 张小锦
Chinese Translator / Editor | 中文翻译与编辑

Elite Bilingual Services Pte. Ltd.

口译项目的管理秘诀 - （二）口译员

Corporate Blog of Elite - Professional Translation Services serving ASEAN & East Asia

一位经常合作的口译器材租借商说：“口译员很难搞的，好像大牌明星一样。”她所说的‘难搞’，是指价钱高，规矩多，不容易伺候。其实，我也认同他们有很多与明星相似的地方。比如说，明星要靠天生本钱，口译员也得靠本身卓越的语言条件，不但语言功力要深厚，双语精通程度得达到炉火纯青的境界，而且天生反应要灵敏，在‘卖相’上也必须让人有信心。

我所说的‘卖相’，倒不是指‘俊男美女’，而是打扮体面，谈吐大方，而且能于人亲切的印象。这是因为口译员是不同国籍人士之间的桥梁。他们必须在商业会议中的短短数小时内，帮助客户良好地表达看法，最终达到‘成交’或让对方‘满意’的终极目标，确实是像明星的现场直播节目。

有些客户听到口译员每小时收费从$100到S$200，无不吓得魂飞魄散。但就像我在前一篇文章所说的，真正了解行情的客户，都愿意付这个钱，只要质量好。因为相较于数十万甚至数百万的交易来说，几千块钱的口译费绝对值得。尤其像是新加坡这种国际大都会，各大跨国公司总部云集，经常举办大型的国际会议（最近的APEC峰会就让我们忙得团团转），高层次的商务会议、名人专访，跨国公司的董事会议等。这些汇集各国人士的交流场面，都需要口译员扮演沟通桥梁的角色。

但是根据我的体会，演员或歌星要成为炙手可热的超级巨星，除了‘演技’或‘歌喉’要好之外（唯一不同的是，口译行业只有实力派而没有偶像派），更重要的关键在于EQ （就像红遍中港台的志玲姐姐）。口译员也一样。翻译公司和口译员的关系，就像经纪人和明星。唯一较不同的是，翻译公司并不局限于非得要找某个口译员完成口译项目，口译员也可自由地和任何一家翻译公司合作，两者之间的关系较为松散无约束。正因如此，那些EQ超好、没有架子又好商量的口译员（尤其是价钱或者配合客户的要求），相信都会受到翻译公司的垂青。

作为‘经纪人’，让我最有成就感的，并非和那些‘红牌’或‘资深’口译员合作，而是能挖掘到具有潜质的口译人才，并将他们一手捧成能够胜任同步传译的优秀口译员（译力旗下就有这样一位从交替口译提升到同步口译的大将）。只要手中握有这些王牌，不但能够为公司赚到钱，也能承接多一些案子（因为红牌口译员的档期都很满，所以即使有生意上门，也不一定能配合到他们的时间）。我觉得这样不但能为市场注入更多新血，让新加坡的口译市场不被少数几位垄断，而且人才的辈出，也能更好地满足新加坡作为奖励旅游、商务会议以及博览会(MICE)举办首选地的需求，并让口译市场价格逐步调整至更多客户能够承受的水平。价钱趋于合理，也将让更多商家愿意付这笔钱任用口译员，最终达到大家开心的良性循环效果。

By
Hong Yin Yin | 方莺吟
Managing Director | 董事
Elite Bilingual Services Pte. Ltd

口译项目的管理秘诀 - （一）客户篇

Personal Thoughts on Leadership

Corporate Blog of Elite - Professional Translation Services serving ASEAN & East Asia

I remember during my university years when in one particular day right before school started, my organization head called me and advised me that since I was one of the youngest head of our organization’s department, I had to work a little harder than others in order to prove to people that I can be a leader. Then, I asked him, ‘’How does a leader act?” he responded with a list of physical ways on how he believes a leader should act. To put it simply, think of Hitler and the stereotypical description of what comes into mind when you think of his name, is exactly what he described as what he thinks is a good leader. Of course, I didn’t dare say that out loud then, being new and young at the time, but inside, I knew that I wouldn’t live up to what he thinks is a great leader. There is a reason why the name ‘Hitler’ connotes a very negative vibe.

Fast forward a few years, I have no idea what happened to my organization leader now, but I can tell you one thing, his reign of terror did not last long, in fact he pretty much shared the same bad ending as Hitler did. (Without the suicide part of course)

Lesson number 1: Leadership does not equate to being intimidating.

I had this one classmate who was well-liked by everyone, he was friendly, down to earth, he made jokes, drank beer with the boys, watched movies with the girls, and when you got introduced to him, he remembers your name and acts like your friend. Here’s the thing, he doesn’t just act like a friend because when you’re in trouble, you don’t have to ask him, as soon as he knows, he will go out of his way to help you. No surprise, he ended up president of our organization in a landslide vote, and I can tell you, he was well liked by everyone (even by his opponent) and he made the organization very rich during his period in office.

Lesson number 2: Leadership is about being liked, having people do things for you willingly, sometimes without you even needing to ask them to, simply because they like you enough to help you out.

When I interned at a big accounting firm, I got to work with one of the smartest people on the planet. I didn’t know this at first, since they don’t go out announcing to people how good they are. But here’s the thing, when you’re really good, you don’t have to go around broadcasting it to people, somehow they just know. Maybe it’s because of the way you act or make decisions that tell people how smart you are or maybe it’s whenever you talk, the words coming out of you actually make sense. I really admired the people I worked with there, they never once told me their accomplishments (and they were many) but when I walk down the halls of the office or open the newspapers, I see their faces smiling at me with bold letters declaring their greatness. This makes me respect them a thousand more than if they had been the one to tell me how smart and great they were.

Lesson number 3: Leadership is people talking about how great you are. Not the other way around.

I still have so many people to get to know and to admire, but for now let’s leave with just these three people first, until next time.

By JT

Finance Executive

Elite Bilingual Services Pte. Ltd

口译项目的管理秘诀 - （一）客户篇

Corporate Blog of Elite - Professional Translation Services serving ASEAN & East Asia

在我处理过的多种语言服务当中（笔译、口译、转录、撰稿），要数口译项目的挑战性最高，因为它和现场直播节目一样，不能有任何缺失或疏漏，更不能有任何“NG”。如此一来，后勤的准备功夫尤显得格外重要。口译项目也是最考功夫的，没有经验的项目协调员，若不严格遵照公司的服务原则行事，很容易就会答应客户一些做不到的事情，而往往得亏钱收场。译力两年前刚起步的时候，就曾接了一家大公司的案子，结果因为经验不足，无法坚持原则，而成了一次惨痛的教训。

做好口译项目的诀窍，在于‘知己知彼，百战不殆’。虽然译力在口译界里还只是个生力军，但是数十场的口译服务经验，也开始让我们总结出不同的客户类型，并能更准确地判断市场的需求和习性。今天我们就来谈一谈口译客户的基本类型：

1. 行家型：这一类懂行的客户通常都来自大公司或是活动策划机构，有接触过口译员的安排事宜，也了解专业口译员的一般价位。他们特别看重口译员的质量和经验，所以也通常会要求对口译员进行面试。

2. 智慧型：虽然这类客户没有接触过需要口译员的会议或活动，但是对质量要求仍然非常高，因为需要口译服务的会议对他们来说实在是太重要了，所以绝对不能有任何纰漏。为了确保一切顺利，他们在各种细节上都会尽量配合。

3. 一无所知型：对什么是交替口译(Consecutive Interpreting)和同步口译(Simultaneous Interpreting)都分不清楚。幸好，一些较有诚意的客户，都会谦虚地请教你该怎么做。在这个时候，我们都会好好把握机会向他们说明各种需要注意的细节。

4. 逛街型：这类客户通常爱货比三家，搜集各家翻译机构的价格。每次我们向口译员查问他们的时间时，他们都会说：“这个case 另一家翻译公司也有问过我咧！”

5. 火烧屁股型：明天需要口译员，今天才打电话来。接这种案子无疑是惹火上身，尤其是口译员比较少的语种，如西班牙语。好处是我们可以多收加急费。只要有十足的把握能安排到最优秀的口译员，还是可以做的。最近我们就为一家知名的服装品牌公司安排口译员，采访韩国著名影星元斌。下午两点钟的采访，早上九点钟才打来的电话！幸好我们的首席口译员高度配合，才能在短短一个早上轻松安排好一切，顺利完成任务。

接出不同类型的客户之后，我给自己总结了一个心得。所谓‘真金不怕红炉火’，只要我们所精挑细选的口译员的质量够硬，在安排后勤事宜上规划周详，在坚守一些行规和原则时毫不妥协，尽量保护我们最宝贵的资产 – 口译员，而且知道什么类型的客户会耍什么招数，成功的个案也会越来越多。

换句话说，成功安排口译项目的重点不在客户，而是我们背后的一张张王牌 – 口译员。这也将是我下一周的分享重点。

By

Hong Yin Yin | 方莺吟

Managing Director | 董事

Elite Bilingual Services Pte. Ltd

口译项目的管理秘诀 - （二）口译员

Perception

Corporate Blog of Elite - Professional Translation Services serving ASEAN & East Asia

..something to think about...

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk..

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities . The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... How many other things are we missing?

(this is a YouTube video showing him playing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw )

Copied from a chain email I received from a friend. So don't really not the actual source but thought it would be good to share it. : P

Michael Kuan = )