Had my first experience as a translator a few days ago! In the lobby of our hotel in Flores, Guatemala (this is during our week-long excursion, which we are still on). There was an American woman in her 40's demanding (to two very clearly Spanish speaking workers) that she needed to see the lost and found right away. Her level of frustration was quite amusing, one, because frustration and demands will get you nowhere in Guatemala, and two; who goes on a vacation to Guatemala knowing no Spanish and expecting all the hotel workers to speak English?
I was laughing in my head when the frustrated American looked around and said (demanded, rather) "does ANYbody here speak Spanish??" I held back my laughter and said "I do" and walked over. The lady said "ask them where the lost and found is." So I said- "Tiene un lugar donde hay cosas perdidas?" and the hotel worker said "si, si, pero esto es la unica cosa" so I told the lady "yes, they do have a lost and found, but this pair of shorts is the only thing in it" The lady said "oh. Oh.. ok. Thank you." And walked away. I said "gracias...." and couldn't help but smile a little. It was pretty comical. Especially because no one really gets worked up in Guatemala. But it was definitely one of the coolest experiences of my time here so far. Even though it was a 2 minute exchange. It was really neat to be able to help people--two parties who had absolutely no idea what the other was saying--and translate it to both of them. It really was the coolest feeling in the world. It made me discover what I want to do this summer: I am going to find a job where I can use my Spanish. I want to be a translator. I want to help people! It felt so good! I am going to work in the cities and be a translator. End of story!
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It must be really cool to be able to help people from different cultures / languages. Good for you!!
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