English to Mandarin translation Experience Sharing and Brief Talk on Appearance Issues from Erica

First, I’d like to thank Assuna for introducing me to her long-time client and for giving me the chance to share my thoughts. These English to Mandarin translation experiences will be great memories and valuable lessons for the future.

English to Mandarin translation

Let’s start with the outcome. The client seemed quite satisfied, which is expected since they’ve been working with Assuna for several times. The client’s client – a major industry leader – and his wife, who can understand some English, thought I did an excellent job. Even the client’s supplier – a top global monopoly company’s sales rep – praised me highly. Although I worked overtime until 10:30 PM and was very tired, I was happy to have completed the task successfully.

Now, onto my reflections. Every time I have such an experience, I feel very lucky. As a person who didn’t major in English or graduate from a famous university, getting this kind of feedback is very fulfilling.

I know professional interpreters from all sorts of backgrounds. One top interpreter in Shanghai, who graduated from a petroleum college in Hangzhou (probably with a mechanical engineering degree), not only speaks excellent English but also does training and invests successfully.

Another friend, an English major from a prestigious university, chose to study MTI at NYU. Surrounded by talents and opportunities in New York, she does impressive simultaneous interpreting and internships while running her own online radio and school club. These people are all outstanding and admirable, but what I want tot say is that, schools and certificates can help you, but they’re not your only way to success.

English to Mandarin translation Preparation

Here are the details and key takeaways from my English to Mandarin translation experience.

Before the meeting, I asked the client for materials. They sent me English documents about their agency brands. I also found the Chinese versions on their website for comparison. Since it’s an industrial product, the catalog was complicated with many technical terms. Then I made the first mistake: I read through everything, took detailed notes, and wrote down all the terms and their translations.

When I arrived at the client’s office, I realized that I didn’t made any highlight. The English document was 32 pages, the Chinese one nearly 20 pages. I made 6 pages of notes, but it was impossible to memorize everything accurately, and it got confusing.

At the office, the client told me to only focus on the first 14 pages of the English document. Luckily, my prior study helped me get familiar with the products, and I had an extra half-hour before the meeting to review details. Next time, I’ll definitely ask more questions after the first read-through instead of just memorizing everything. This will save time and help me prepare better.

Usually, I will start by checking the client’s website, then look for similar websites and industry materials. I found that few manufacturers make this product, or they have different product lines. The foreign company makes the highest-end products, so there wasn’t much extra info available.

For our client, a domestic company, their competitors aren’t this global monopoly but other domestic agencies. I asked the client, and they said they’re competing with a Qingdao company for the China market. Then I met the second trouble. I focused too much on the materials and didn’t ask enough about company names and their relationships.

The client has big domestic customers and other competitors, with complex relationships among them. If I had asked more about these names and relationships, I would’ve been made better interpretation preparation. Thankfully, the client explained everything nicely. They are industry veterans, after all. If you have time, please also check recent major trade shows, as the client might attend and make relevant discussions on them.

Understanding clients’ trade needs is also a crucial aspect. For agency sales of almost monopoly products, agents will care more about short delivery times, the manufacturer’s support for meeting customer needs, and favorable prices and payment terms. Manufacturers, on the other hand, will care about maintaining stable production, shipments, and low inventory, hoping agents will place steady, recurring orders rather than just big one-time orders.

English to Mandarin translation

As certified interpreters, our main goal is to keep our clients happy. I make sure to wear contact lenses, put on makeup, and dress in skirts and high heels. I walk confidently, hold the elevator door, and wait for everyone to enter.

Since it’s a business scenario, things can get awkward sometimes. So I would try to lighten the mood by asking questions about the competitors we discussed earlier or asking the foreign clients if they are satisfied with our service. When the client makes a joke, I will interpret it quickly and accurately to keep the humor fresh.

The Austrian client spoke clear and organized English with no accent, making my interpretation easy. Learning some basics of other languages on Duolingo can help understand specific pronunciations. During meals, we talked about various topics, from the economic situation to the European refugee crisis, tea and coffee origins, and their different effects. It’s good to stay informed about these subjects.

In summary, as professional interpreters, we should ask detailed questions to understand everyone’s roles and relationships. We should stay relaxed but alert. We should maintain a professional appearance. We should eat when we can, but please remember to avoid foods that are hard to chew, have strong flavors, or stick to your teeth. Keep your mouth clean and discreetly rinse after meals.

Next, let’s talk something about our appearance during the interpretation.

1. Try to smile. It makes a great impression. Practice smiling in front of a mirror can help you learn the right way to smile.

2. Blush and eyeshadow may not be as noticeable as foundation and eyeliner, but they can significantly improve your complexion.

3.If you’re not confident in your clothing style, stick to dark, simple dresses for formal occasions. Add a bit of color with accessories. Building a strong personal presence takes time—read different books, watch various movies, listen to diverse music, exercise, and engage in outdoor activities. Like Assuna says, treat yourself to nice things to boost your confidence.

4.Hairstyles matter! To look sharp, I tied my hair back and used some gel. It instantly made me look more put-together.

5. Makeup, dressing well, and good posture require practice. It’s not about spending a lot of time on your appearance but about being diligent. Presenting a pleasant appearance shows that you take yourself and your life seriously, which can earn you respect from others.

That is all for my English to Mandarin translation experience. Let’s all work on improving ourselves, live seriously, and become the best versions of ourselves.

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