A GUIDE TO GOOD MANNERS

By Clara Estela de Len Salazar

Universidad Mariano Glvez de Guatemala
Guatemala 2014

CONTENTS:
Introduction
Chapter one Protocol
Chapter two Etiquette
Chapter three Diplomacy
Appendix - Questions

Introduction

As translator and interpreter is necessary to know

the basic rules for any work, reunion, conference
or any place where protocol, etiquette and
diplomacy have to be used.
These rules have to be used as much as they are
required because an interpreter and translator is a
link between two people or countries.
In the following slides, a few suggestions will be
shown as a guide to good manners in the topics
above described.

CHAPTER ONE - PROTOCOL

Protocol definition

The forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats

and heads of state.
A code of correct conduct: safety protocols; academic protocol.
(Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the formal etiquette and
code of behavior, precedence, and procedure for state and
diplomatic ceremonies
(Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a memorandum or record
of an agreement, esp. one reached in international
negotiations, a meeting, etc.
(Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (chiefly US)
a. a record of data or observations on a particular
experiment or proceeding
b. an annex appended to a treaty to deal with subsidiary
matters or to render the treaty more lucid
c. a formal international agreement or understanding on
some matter

Life is a protocol, thats why the people in every event of its

life have to follow it. The following information will help to
organize a good event in any area in which is required an
order to follow,
besides this could be useful in the
translation and interpretation field, because in any case the
professional has to be prepared for.

Baptism

Many religions practice infant baptism.

And it is usually accompanied by a small
ceremony and a party afterward to
celebrate.

Batptisms are held sometimes in church,

sometimes at home. The choice
depends upon your religion and your
own desires.

Invitations either telephoned or written

are sent to family and friends to join you.

Godparents, they are not chosen in every

religion, but where they are, their rol usually is
to sponsor the child at baptism and more
officially to oversee the childs religious
education.

Gifts, generally are given at a christening.

Dress, the boy or girl at its baptism depends

upon the parents taste and preference,
traditionally is dressed in white, although
pastel colors are acceptable as well. Parents
and Godparents should wear whatever they
would wear to church, keeping in mind that
they will stand up in front of the congregation
during the baptismal ceremony.

First Communion

This is a ceremony held in the Catholic

Church. Like a chistening. Its followed by
a breakfast, brunch or lunch attneded by
family and close friends, A white cake is
usual as dessert. Invitations may be
written or telephoned, whichever you
prefer.
Dress: In some, girls wear white, rather
formal dresses and elaborate veils. Boys
wear dark suits or white shirts with dark
pants. Guests should dress as they would
for any religious service.
Gifts: Traditionally ceremonial presentas,
such as a Bible or prayer book, religious
or other Jewerly. Etc.

Child Party

The party must last not less than three hours.

Guests must be received by the host and his

parents.
When the guests give the gift to the host, he must
express thanks for attending to the party and the
gift.
Offer to the guests a menu including food such as
hamburgers, snacks and soda.
Now it is the time for dance and play with the
entertainer.
Give presents to the winners.
Then the piata must be broken.
Sing the happy birthday song with family and
friends.
Open the gifts.
Eat cake and give candies to the children.
When the party is finished, the childrens parents
must give thanks to the guests for attending and
for the gift.

Baby Shower

Set the date. Anyone from a family

member to a coworker can host the
event, which is usually held during the
last two months of pregnancy.
Pick a Host. Nowdays anyone related
with the mother-to-be can be the host.
Showers for Baby Siblings.
Traditionally the showers were just for
the first child, but now these partys
used to be for every baby since every
one needs some new things. So the
gift could be in accordance with baby
sex or mothers requirement.

Invitations. Although a phone

call can be sufficient invitation,
written ones are more in
keeping with the
momentousness of the event.
Invitations should be sent at
least three weeks in advance
to an intimate number of
friends and family members.

Menu, drinks and games, the

host has to be focused in the
mother-to-be, since she is the
center of the party.

Graduations

Although children start graduating thes

days as early as kindergarten, only two
important graduations, high school and
college can be considered ceremonial
enough to call for a special celebration.

Invitations, these are always a problem

due to the space in the auditorium, but
many more can be sent our for the party
that follows the ceremony. Depending
upon the affairs size and degree of
formality, either a telephoned, hadwritten
or preprinted invitation may be issued.

Party, Graduation parties can be

small or large, formal or informal.
Depends of the host taste.

Youre not obliged to send a gift upon

receipt of a graduation invitation, but
many people do.

Weddings

Weddings are one of the most

important and highly ceremonial
events in most peoples lives.
Weddings basically come in three
flavors: informal, semiformal and
formal. Which flavor you choose
dictates the kind of invitations you
will send, and what type of
reception you will have.

Gifts, Wedding should be

substantial, but you are never
expected to give a gift that is
beyond your means. They are
usually domestic, and may be either
practical or luxurious.

Formal weddings are often extravaganzas,

very beautiful to participate in and lovely to
attend. In daytime wedding, female gusts
wear short dressy dresses or suits, and men
wear dark business suits with conservative
shirts and ties. In formal evening wedding
guests wear evening dress. A formal
wedding is the most expensive kind to have.

Semi-formal wedding, the dress will be more

modest in the daytime than at night. Female
guests wear short street clothes, which get
progressively dressier as he hour gets later.
Male wear dark suits or black tie, if the
wedding held at night.

Informal daytime wedding, the bride wears a

short dressy dress or suit, in white or a color,
usually pastel. The groom wears a dark suit
usually gray or navy, a white shirt, and a
conservative tie. Female guests wear
anything from dressy street clothes to
cocktail dresses, male guests wear dark
conservative suits or navy blazers with lightcolored pants.

Funeral

When someone dies, the first step is to call a

funeral director and a clergyperson. If you
dont know someone to call, ask for advice.

Calling these two people will set in motion the

funeral arrengements that need to be made.
The funeral director will present a bill for his
services, and the clergypeson will expect a
donation.

The next step is to notify friends and family of

the loss. it can be personally or, ask friends
to help out. It could be via a telephone call.

Most families want to hold some kind of

service, whether or not it is religious and
whether it is actually a funeral or the
increasingly common memorial service.

The decisions that must be made in the

hours and days after a death are the
responsibility of the next of kin. Spouses
make decisions for one another. Siblings
make decisions jointly about the death a a
parent in the absence of a spouse and
parents make them about a child. These
includes choose of the casket, the burial
clothes, care of the body and location for
service.

The service will be planned in conjuntin

with the clergyperson and the funeral
director, duration depends of the religious
customs. Also a eulogy which is a speech
or tribute at a funeral or memorial service is
given by persons who consider to do it.

Death announcement and obituaries

run in the hometown newspapers of the
person who has died, the obituary may
run before or after a persons funeral in
order to the people who is interested
can attend. The announcement
contains the name, date of death, some
reference to the cause of death, name
of the immediate survivors, and the
time, date and place of the service. The
family who wants an obituary as well as
an announcement should notify the
local newspaper.

Regarding flowers, depends of the

religion professed. These ones are
sent, literally to the funeral not to the
family. Occasionally there are
pallbearers and ushers, they may be
needed at a large funeral or memorial
service.

Family, friends, business colleagues, acquaintances, anyone

who feels a tie of the deceased or his family may attend the
funeral if it is possible.

Dress for funerals is conservative, dark suits and ties for men,
suits or dresses for women. Wearing black is more a matter of
personal preference these days than custom.

The casket is closed during a Catholic or Jewish service. It may

be open for a protestant service.

After the burial, the family and often other mourners as well,
usually gather for a breakfast of lunch. It may be held in a home,
in a restaurant, or in a room at the church or synagogue.

Anniversary

Anniversary parties are most oftengiven for

silver and golden anniversaries.
Children may give such a party for their
parents.
Anniversary celebrations can be formal or
informal.
Written invitations are usually sent.
Especially elegant for an affair of this kind
ois the dinner dance.
A full dinner should be served, a specially
decorated cake, served with chapagne,
usually caps off the evening.
Gifts are often discuouraged but guests may
bring them if they choose.

Steps to good relationships

Professional success is
important to everyone, but still,
success in business and in life
means different things to
different people-as well it
should.

But one fact is universal: Real

success, the kind that exists on
multiple levels, is impossible
without building great
relationships. Real success is
impossible unless you treat
other people with kindness,
regard, and respect.

Take the hit. A customer gets mad. A

vendor complains about poor service. A
mutual friend feels slighted.

Step in without being asked. It's easy

to help when you're asked. Most
people will. Very few people offer help
before they have been asked, even
though most of the time that is when a
little help will make the greatest impact.

Answer the question that is not asked.

Where relationships are concerned,
face value is usually without value.
Often people will ask a different
question than the one they really want
answered.

Know when to dial it back. People who build

great relationships know when to have fun
and when to be serious, when to be over the
top and when to be invisible, and when to
take charge and when to follow.

Prove they think of others. People who build

great relationships don't just think about other
people. They act on those thoughts.

Realize when they have acted poorly. Most

people apologize when their actions or words
are called into question. Responsibility is a
key building block of a great relationship.
People who take the blame, who say they are
sorry and explain why they are sorry, who
don't try to push any of the blame back on the
other person-those are people everyone
wants in their lives, because they instantly
turn a mistake into a bump in the road rather
than a permanent roadblock

Give consistently, receive occasionally. A great

relationship is mutually beneficial. In business
terms that means connecting with people who
can be mentors, who can share information,
who can help create other connections; in
short, that means going into a relationship
wanting something.

Value the message by always valuing the

messenger.
People
who
build
great
relationships never automatically discount the
message simply because they discount the
messenger. They know good advice is good
advice, regardless of where it comes from.
And they know good people are good people,
regardless of their perceived "status.

Start small... and are happy to stay small.

People who build great relationships treat
every one of their relationships that way,
because every relationship, however minor
and possibly fleeting, has value.

Garden Party

How to Throw Your Own Garden Party. Here's how

you can turn your place in a garden party fit for
Royalty.

First, consider whom you will invite. Royal garden

parties are made up of those who have done good in
the community. Bury the hatchet and invite your
mother-in-law so perhaps next year your valour will
be rewarded by an invitation to the real deal in
London.

After this, send out the invitations. If you are inviting

your neighbors to your soiree then make sure you
post it with the rest of the invitations rather than
clambering nicely: you know, like how Her Majesty
doover the front garden fence to deliver. Word the
invitations es. "The Lord Chamberlain is commanded
by Mrs. B. Smyte to invite...". No one will know you
don't have a Lord Chamberlain to hand in the backbedroom-cum-office.

Pop along to B&Q and buy a luxury gazebo or two.

Stick a well-placed mirror in places and, hey presto,
your tent now looks 400 feet long - your guests will
basically think they are at the Palace.

Allow guests to arrive from 3pm but as host and

hostess you shouldn't arrive until 4pm. If a military
band is indisposed on the date of your party then
dust off the portable cassette player and stick on a
tape of the Grenadier Guards playing the National
Anthem. Stand to attention at the foot of your patio,
looking aloofly into the assembled guests whilst it
plays out.

Greet your guests - but not all. Only some. You are
too busy to greet them all. Select a handful - those
who have made an effort and look presentable (note:
avoid those who've come in fascinators). Point out
your blossoming and encourage people to tour your
otherwise closed garden (mind the rockery, please!)
and you're almost done.

CHAPTER TWO - ETIQUETTE

Etiquette definition

Conventional requirements as to social

behavior; proprieties of conduct as established
in any class or community or for any occasion.

A prescribed or accepted code of usage in

matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official
or other formal observances.

The code of ethical behavior regarding

professional practice or action among the
members of a profession in their dealings with
each other.

How to make an apology

How To Deliver A Genuine

Apology At Work Place

There will be a time (probably

several times) in your career, where
youll make a ghastly mistake. Youll
miss a deadline, blank out on
something important, send an
incomplete report or just simply
screw up a project. The point is
youll let someone or the other
down.

Thats as far as the bad news is

concerned. The good news is that
you can approach a blunder,
apologize for it and make it sound
authentic. We tell you how.

Humility Will Work Best. Speak with honesty and

respect and, preferably, face-to-face.
Never Make Excuses. Take full responsibility
without adding any but to it. This is the only way
to regain or rebuild the trust back.
Dont Play Blame Game. Blaming your colleague,
or anyone else, not only escalates the matter but
makes you look unprofessionalsomeone who
doesnt take his work seriously. So, shoulder the
full blame and take complete responsibility.
Be Proactive With A Solution. Once youve taken
responsibility, its time for damage control. Fix the
problem, come up with a swift and effective
action plan that you can undertake now.
Being a responsible professional means taking
full accountability of your goof-up, even if it
means putting your reputation under scanner.
Look at the bright side, everyone make mistakes;
if you own up yours, you might be able to come
out of it with more meaningful relationships with
your clients and colleagues.

Giving and receiving

compliments

Giving a compliment is much easier

than receiving one. A good rule is to
simply tell another person whenever
something complimentary about that
person pops into your head. But
there are also compliments that
express something you've always
thought about a person but have
never put into words for some
reason. (Sometimes we think the
other person just knows how we feel
or what we think, but of course
putting it into words is the important
thing.)

Giving compliments

The first rule about giving a compliment is that

whatever you say should be honest and
sincere.

A woman-to-woman compliment is much

simpler than when a woman compliments a
man or vice versa. Most women are thrilled with
a compliment from another woman, even if it's
someone they don't know. The situation is even
trickier when a man compliments a woman. In
our litigious society, I know more than a few
men who worry about saying a woman looks
attractive for fear of being accused of sexual
harassment. So in this case, the words should
be thoughtfully chosen.

How you give a compliment is almost as

important as what you say. Eye contact is key
when giving a compliment. Without eye contact,
you might as well pay the compliment via
Facebook. It's all about face-to-face contact.
Looking the other person in the eyes will speak
volumes about your sincerity.

Receiving compliments

Receiving a compliment is difficult for

many. Often our first reaction is to try and
deflect attention by demurring or putting
ourselves down. But this is not a graceful
response, as it can make the complimentgiver feel unappreciated or even
dismissed.

You need only two words: thank you, with

a smile, of course. But you could also
follow it up with a small phrase such as,
How nice of you, or What a nice thing to
say. That in turn will make the
compliment-giver pleased.

As when giving a compliment, make sure

you look the compliment-giver in the eyes
when you thank him or her. No blushing or
turning aside; eye contact means your
thank-you is genuine.

From Marianne Williamson in A Return to Love,

addresses the issue of how to appreciate
ourselves and others: "Our deepest fear is not
that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that
we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light,
not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask
ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, fabulous. Actually, who are you not to
be? . . . We are all meant to shine, as children do.
. . . And as we let our own light shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission to do
the same. As we're liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."
Appreciating ourselves enough to accept
compliments gracefully is the other side of
appreciating others enough to compliment them.
Give someone a sincere compliment today, and
the next time you are complimented, accept it
with grace and pleasure.

Table Manners

Dining dos

Sit up straight
Talk quietly
Speak nicely to others
Listen to the server
Signal the server quietly
Order food on menu
Keep food over plate
Use silverware to eat
Chew with a closed mouth
Use dinner
topic conversation
Put napkin on plate when done
Leave appropriate tip
Pay for what you eat

Dining donts
Slouch
Talk loudly
Insult or speak rudely to others
Ignore the server
Yell for the server
Demand food not available
Throw food on table; at others
Play with silverware
Chew with an open mouth
Use street
talk conversation
Stack dishes when done
Leave too small or large tip
Leave without paying eave without paying

The Dining Tutorial

Hosting a seven-course meal gives

you the opportunity to set a formal
table. The traditional seven-course
meal consists of soup, fish, a palette
cleanser, the main dish, salad,
dessert and coffee. If you have china
and silver collections, this is the time
to use them. Fine linen tablecloths,
napkins and table runners are at
home on a formal table, along with a
centerpiece that does not obstruct
guests' views of one another. A
seven-course
meal
can
be
comfortable, elegant and easy to
serve when you set the table
following traditional guidelines.

The written word

Written word - the written form of a

word; "while the spoken word stands
for something, the written word stands
for something that stands for
something"; "a craftsman of the written
word.

For centuries, back to a time which

probably cannot be traced, the power
of the written word has proved to be
something incontrovertibly sublime.
The written word has saved lives,
circulated powerful ideas, preserved
traditions and memories, and so much
more.

This being said, I believe that people now generally

take this inevitable power of the written word for
granted. Yes, you can use the written word to write
an essay or send a text. Maybe the need for utilizing
this tool isn't as great in my life, but I still think people
should be aware of its significance. One important
thing anyone anywhere can do with the power of the
written word, regardless of his or her situation, is
spread awareness. We can spread awareness of
anything happening in the world, large or small. With
that, we may be able to prevent a negative outcome
that could have arisen from help coming too late.
And that can make all the difference.

27 Etiquette Rules
For Our Times

It is impossible to overlook the extent to which

civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct,
Sigmund Freud said.

Theres always a tension between how much we

should follow our instincts and how much we should
yield to social conventions. But at times like ours, the
tendency is to tilt too far toward our instincts, since
the conventions are changing fast and theres no
consensus about them anyway. Theres a risk in that.
You dont know whom you might be offending or how
you might be sabotaging your own success.

This may seem like a lot, and to some it may seem

like an uptight way to live. But just remember the
basic success principle underlying all manners: Think
about other peoples feelings first because its still
not all about you.

1. Texting Hey, Im running 20 minutes late

is not as acceptable as making the effort to
be on time.

2. If you cant attend an event that youre

formally invited to, dont think that not
RSVPing is the same as declining. And dont
RSVP at the last minute for an event that
involves real planning by the host.

3. Show some decency around the office

refrigerator: If you didnt put the food in, dont
eat it. And take your leftovers home or throw
them out before they morph into some
radioactive nightmare.

4. Dont bellow on your cell phone. Just

because you cant hear the other person well
doesnt mean the other person cant hear
you well.

5. Turn off the phone at a dinner party, and be in the

moment. Youre annoying at least one person who
thinks you have no social skills. At bare minimum,
turn off the ringer so you can text and conspire in
relative stealth.

6. Remember that if you feel a need to respond

immediately to every incoming text, youll lose more
in the eyes of the person whos in front of you than
youll gain from the unseen people who are
benefiting from your efficiency.

7. When you get to the front of the line at Starbucks

SBUX -0.64%, dont tell the barista to wait while you
wrap up your phone discussion. The barista hates
you, and so does everyone behind you. They are
hoping the barista spits in your latte.

8. If you come late to an exercise class, dont think

youre entitled to barge your way to your favorite
spot in the front. And dont block others from weight
racks or other equipmentjust step back three feet
and make everyone happy.

9. Keep personal conversations and

arguments off social networking sites. The
dramatic airing of grievances is best done
through SMS .

10. Moderate your use of cameras and

video at events. Enjoy your time with
colleagues, friends and family in the
present and preserve only a memento for
the future, rather than recording the entire
thing to relive later in some free time
that youll never actually have.

11. Remember how easily e-gossip can

be forwarded along to the wrong person.

12. Just because youre wearing

headphones doesnt mean you can tune
out from social courtesies. For example, if
you
accidentally
cross
someones
personal space, apologize graciously.

13. Dont lend someone a book or item unless

they specifically ask for it. Theyre probably too
busy to ever get around to it. Theyll feel guilty
about that, and youll be annoyed that they
didnt appreciate it or even get around to
returning it.

14. Dont RSVP for an event, then not show.

Now youre not just being rude, but youre
costing the host money, and youve probably
kept a lonely soul from being invited as a
backup.

15. Dont be the first or second person to talk

on your cell phone in a public space (like a bus
or train). If everyones doing it, youre allowed
some slack here.

16. Dont show up at a party empty-handed,

unless youve been instructed to and
sometimes not even then. Bring wine or dessert
or a plant.

17. Use your turn signal at least 50%

more than you use your middle finger.

18.
Dont
make
your
dietary
requirements everyone elses dilemma.
As one friend reminds me, People who
can eat dairy dont just keep coconut oilbased butter around.

19. If your children are invited to a

friends house to play, they (and you)
should also feel invited to help with the
cleanup.

20. Dont break up with someone by

text. And dont announce a death in the
family by text. There are still times when
phones or face-to-face are the best way
to go.

21. Dont take photos for posting on the People

of Wal-Mart page.

22. Dont discuss sensitive personal issues on

Facebook, especially if youve friended
coworkers.

23. Your dog is cute, but he or she doesnt have

a pass to go anywhere. Im a huge dog lover,
says one colleague, but dont assume its okay
to bring along your dog to my house. I can
barely stand what my own dogs do to my house
I also dont like people who bring their
animals to Petco. Seriously, do you think your
dog likes to shop? Its just you seeking attention.
You probably dont even need anything at
Petco youre just there because you can bring
your dog in, and you think its cool to bring a dog
out in public. Dogs dont shop. They would
rather be sniffing the pee on that trashcan
outside by the front door than walking on
slippery retail flooring.

24. Double-check that your headphones are

plugged-in before streaming your favorite
Spotify station.

25. Dont say, Im having a party. Bring your own

food and drink. Thats not a party.

26. If youve been invited to an event, be reluctant to

ask for an upper ceiling on how many friends and
relatives you can bring.

27. And finally, all the classics still apply. One working
mother offers a quick review here:

Chew with your mouth closed; dont talk with food in your
mouth; keep your elbows off of the table while eating;
wash your hands after going to the restroom. My children
know betterso why do I see adults exhibiting such poor
behavior? If you bump into someone, say excuse me.
Dont reach across someones face. Dont board a plane
when theyre loading group A and you are in group D.
Dont stay behind the crosswalk when you are making a
left turn and thus prevent anyone else behind you from
turning. Dont let your kids act like wild monkeys in a
restaurant. Dont touch someones belly when shes
pregnantor even when she isnt. Dont leave cupboard
doors and drawers opensomeone can get hurt. And
dont pull up to the exit gate in a parking lot without your
ticket handy.

Translator or Interpreter
Professional Code of Conduct

Adhere to standards of confidential communication.

Possess the professional skills and knowledge required

for the specific situation.

Conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the

specific situation.

Demonstrate respect for consumers.

Demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and

students of the profession.

Maintain ethical business practices.

Engage in professional development.

Function of principles

It is the obligation of every translator or interpreter to exercise

judgment, employ critical thinking, apply the benefits of practical
experience, and reflect on past actions in the practice of their
profession.
Confidentiality,
linguistic
and
professional
competence, impartiality, professional growth and development,
ethical business practices, and the rights of participants in
translated and interpreted situations have to be an informed
choice. The driving force behind the guiding principles is the
notion that the translator or interpreter will do no harm.

When applying these principles to their conduct, translators and

interpreters remember that their choices are governed by a
"reasonable translator - interpreter" standard. This standard
represents the hypothetical translator - interpreter who is
appropriately educated, informed, capable, aware of
professional standards, and fair-minded.

Code of Professional Conduct

and Business Practices
As a Translator or Interpreter, a bridge for ideas from one language to
another and one culture to another, I commit myself to the highest
standards of performance, ethical behavior, and business practices.

A. I will endeavor to translate or interpret the original message

faithfully, to satisfy the needs of the end user(s). I acknowledge that
this level of excellence requires:
1. mastery of the target language equivalent to that of an educated native

speaker,
2. up-to-date knowledge of the subject material and its terminology in both

languages,
3. access to information resources and reference materials, and knowledge of

the tools of my profession,

4. continuing efforts to improve, broaden, and deepen my skills and knowledge.

B. I will be truthful about my qualifications and will not accept

any assignments for which I am not fully qualified.

C. I will safeguard the interests of my clients as my own and

divulge no confidential information.

D. I will notify my clients of any unresolved difficulties. If we

cannot resolve a dispute, we will seek arbitration.

E. I will use a client as a reference only if I am prepared to

name a person to attest to the quality of my work.

F. I will respect and refrain from interfering with or

supplanting any business relationship between my client and
my client's client
American Translators Association

Chapter Three - Diplomacy

Diplomacy definition

Diplomacy (from the Greek , meaning

making a deal with other countries) is the art and
practice of conducting negotiations between
representatives of states. Refers to the conduct of
international relations through the intercession of
professional diplomats with regard to issues of
peace-making, trade, war, economics, culture,
environment, and human rights. International
treaties are usually negotiated by diplomats prior
to endorsement by national politicians.

In an informal or social sense, diplomacy is the

employment of tact to gain strategic advantage or
to find mutually acceptable solutions to a common
challenge, one set of tools being the phrasing of
statements in a non-confrontational, or polite
manner.

Diplomacy as
Translator and interpreter

Interpretation is in itself a diplomatic endeavor.

The interpreter's job is very different to that of a
translator. Translators work alone, facing a
white sheet of paper and a text. They recreate
the text by becoming its second author,
understanding and recreating the author's
writing skills, possibly referring to other works
by the author in order to better grasp his/her
style and expression. The interpreter's work is
not a solitary one. The interpreter works directly
with an orator, who possibly elaborates his text
as the topic unfolds, expressing his thoughts
directly without any time for re-elaboration or
rewording. The interpreter also works directly
with a public, the floor, who is listening
simultaneously to him and to the orator. The
interpreter's work, therefore, calls for a different
dynamic.

Translation can range from a simple

phrase, to a brochure, to a manuscript of
the past, to a speech. All translators aspire
to have their names printed under that of
the author on the front page of a
prestigious book. Interpreters cannot
aspire to the same, but can evaluate their
worth through the quality and importance
of the conferences they are asked to
interpret. Interpreters are chameleons, they
have to lend themselves to the topic under
discussion, and blend themselves with the
general decor.

In diplomatic conferences, confidence in the

interpreters is essential. The underlying tensions
which may arise between delegates or country
representatives can worsen if the interpreters are not
trusted. In fact, in certain cases of great tension,
delegates prefer to speak in or translate into a
language they do not really master rather than
passing through an interpreter. This is why it is
important to ensure that the interpreters chosen are
of the calibre and have experience in dealing with
situations where tact and savoir-faire are an asset.

Diplomacy does not only pertain to diplomats nor is it

characteristic only of diplomatic conferences. Other
types of discussion such as religion, culture, heritage,
sales, marketing may require such skills. Interpreters
must know how to transmit a message using
discretion without recurring to censorship, as it is not
their role. Interpreting in diplomacy can prove very
rewarding as interpreters feel that they are giving
their small contribution to history in the making.

The role of translation and

interpretation in the
diplomatic communication

This topic is very important then to approach the whole information

please follow these links, those are a simply way to understand the
importance and differences between an interpreter translator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZhIlNLq4PA

http://www.skase.sk/Volumes/JTI06/pdf_doc/01.p
df
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf0JpbEoJIQ

Annexes

Questions:

1. What protocol is?

2. What it is relevant in protocol for an interpreter-translator?
3. Why protocol is important for events?
4. What etiquette is?
5. Which could be the six points to a good apology?
6. Which could be the important aspects in business compliments?
7. What do you think about giving and receiving compliments?

8. Do you consider that table manners are important in your

job as translator and interpreter? Why?
9. Give at least two examples of dos and donts in dining
behavior.
10. Why the written word is important today?
11. In accordance with the Professional Code of Conduct,
could you give al least three examples?
12. What could be the difference between a translator and
interpreter.
13. In your own words, what is the role of an interpreter and
translator in protocol, etiquette and diplomacy?

References

http://www.mejpbs.com/interpRoll.php
The Role of the Interpreter

http://in.askmen.com/career/1097462/article/how-todeliver-a-genuine-apology-at-work-place

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-mirza-grotts/givingand-accepting-comp_b_2476316.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susannah-meyer/thepower-of-the-written-_b_1396959.html

http://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/general/interpretation
-and-diplomacy

 THANK

YOU VERY MUCH!!!