Adventurous, Creative and Determined Czech Interpreter Marie Adamova
This week I continue to spotlight what is happening with UK public Service interpreting and today it’s my honour to welcome Marie Adamova, who will highlight some of the challenges in this profession and how she spends her free time when she is not ‘held up’ in police cells.
Marie, can you please tell us where you come from?
I am originally from the Czech Republic and moved to the UK in 2004.
How long have you worked as an interpreter, and why did you decide to become one?
I started interpreting at 2005 as I saw it as a potential new career.
A good career move, I hope
In your view, what qualifications and qualities are essential in becoming a professional interpreter?
The foundation is very good knowledge of both working languages. You have to have general knowledge about both countries and their systems. You also need some ability to recall the right term at the right time. As a court and police interpreter you have to be able to work under pressure and you go to work very often in short notice even in the middle of the night. Your role there is to interpret – not to be client’s buddy. So you have to manage in difficult situations with diplomacy and courtesy regardless what’s going on around you.
So I would say knowledge, confidence and ability to cope under stress are the main qualities.
