26/10/2003

Mandarin Interpreter Charles Qin became the first interpreter to provide simultaneous interpreting in Australia's Parliament House

Posted by: chinchin

 

The headline in the Financial Review (25 October 2003) heralded the importance of President Hu's visit at the end of October. Virtually ignored was the history making use of simultaneous conference interpreting facilities in Parliament House for the first time ever. Chin Communications Managing Director, Charles Qin, became the first Australian interpreter to interpret speeches in Parliament in this way. Charles reports on his experience when Parliament House hosted the inaugural visit by a Chinese President and the President's address to both houses. This is the first time a non-English speaker had addressed Parliament. Three US Presidents had previously enjoyed this honour.

Parliament Hosts Inaugural Visit by Chinese President

By Charles Qin

"When you go to the well to draw water, remember who dug the well", said Simon Crean in his address to the Parliament to welcome President Hu. He was, of course, using an old Chinese proverb to refer to the groundbreaking work of the Labor Party thirty years earlier and the historic visit by Gough Whitlam to China when he established Diplomatic Relations with the People's Republic of China in 1972. Luckily for me, I remembered the old saying and thus was able to render it immediately into Chinese drawing nods of appreciation from President Hu.

I was very honoured to have been asked to interpret the speeches both in Parliament House and at the State Banquet in honour of President Hu's visit on October 24th. As it has been reported, I was part of history by providing the first simultaneous interpreting ever in an Australian Parliament. I also worked as an interpreter for the visit by President Jiang Zemin in 1999. To me, a Chinese, to have witnessed both visits first hand, I feel tremendously privileged, but somehow this one was special. Parliament House is a sacred place and a Chinese Presidential visit a rare honour.

The House of Representatives chamber was overflowing as both senators and MPs joined forces; galleries were packed and security tight. Many of you saw the occasion unfold on television - it was a jubilant event - a great speech delivered by President Hu seeking common ground - highlighting the complementarities of our economies and the immense potential for cooperation - China is Australia's fastest growing market and the largest source of overseas students; while also not holding back on some thorny issues such as human rights, the issue of Iraq and the UN, and the one-China policy position on Taiwan. He also appeared to shock many attendees when he reminded us that the famous Ming Dynasty Admiral, Zheng He, had visited Australia in the 15th Century and even at this early stage, enjoyed friendly exchanges and trade with the aborigines.

The logistics of the event were precisely orchestrated - ably managed by Ms Julie Yeend, head of the ceremonial and hospitality branch in the PM's Department. A sound proof booth had been constructed in the top gallery directly opposite the Speaker's Chair and providing a bird's eye view, had I had the time to soak it up. The booth only had room for two interpreters and it was actually closed before the session for security reasons - the first time I have experienced this. Ms Dai Qingli, President Hu's interpreter, and I shared the booth for the hour of speeches.

The President was welcomed by the speaker, Kevin Andrew, who then invited Prime Minister Howard to speak. As is well known, the Prime Minister writes his own material, or more often speaks off the cuff. I had been provided with some speaking notes at the briefing on the previous afternoon, however quickly abandoned these as the PM digressed. He spoke of the trebling of bilateral trade since 1996 and stressed the importance of stability in the region and the close relationship with China; he referred to 'Chinese' being the most spoken foreign language in Australia and China our third largest trading partner.

Opposition Leader Crean, on the other hand, had a carefully crafted speech drawing on the history of the relationship, reminding us that it was the Labor Party that made it all possible and highlighting the presence in the gallery of one of the early well-diggers, Gough Whitlam; unfortunately a copy of the speech had not been provided to me, so my only 'text' was the words spoken. As many of you are aware, conference interpreters usually work in teams of three and change over every 20 minutes or so; protocol prevented Ms Dai and me assisting each other. In fact, as you probably realise, Ms Dai's simultaneous interpreting involved synchronising a beautifully translated speech with her leader's words and such challenging tongue twisters as 'international vicissitudes', 'mutual emulation and assimilation' and 'cultural pluralism'. Her rendering was described as 'plucky' in one newspaper; my interpreting, I feel was also brave - no notes - but of course no one except the President, his delegation and probably Kevin Rudd heard me.

All participants were provided with headphones and receivers to tune in for their language. Kevin Rudd was chided by his colleagues that if he wore the headphones for the President's address they would know he didn't really understand Mandarin, while, on the other hand, if he didn't it would confirm that he was a 'smart arse' (The Age, 25 October, 2003). I don't know what he thought of my interpreting, or whether he even listened, but I was delighted at being able to interpret for 40 or so minutes without a break and without notes and to know that the President appreciated it, anyway.

The State Banquet at the Hyatt Hotel was a sell out; myself and another of President Hu's interpreters again sitting in the booth waiting, hungrily, for dinner to finish and for the speeches to begin. Feedback is normally scarce - after all, few participants at international conferences speak both languages - so who knows, or sometimes cares whether you did a good job or not. I was delighted that two members of the Hu delegation who did understand both languages came to congratulate me.

I hope that the extensive coverage of President Hu's visit, which I believe eclipsed the token visit of President Bush, highlights not only the significance of the Australia-China relationship, but also reveals the importance of interpreters in making such relationships and deals possible. A second 25 plus billion dollar gas intention was signed during the visit.

You all heard the melodic voice of President Hu's interpreter - making his message instantly come to life. We also saw on TV interpreters Meihua Yao and Dai Qingli accompanying their leaders as they assisted with all communications. We hope that this will further recognition of the sometimes heard but not seen, behind-the-scenes interpreters who make it happen. Australian conference organisers should also heed the example set by Parliament House. How often do we hear of international events being staged in Australia attended by visitors from around the world with either no conference interpreters engaged, or inexperienced and inadequately prepared interpreters hastily called upon at the last minute. Australia sees itself as being a target destination for conferences, yet unlike Asia and Europe, doesn't recognise the value and skill of high-quality interpreting. Let's make this a turning point and heed the fine example of Parliament House in recognising the value of interpreters whatever their field of work. For more background on Mandarin Interpreting

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