After struggling to turn Khadafy’s insane ramblings at the UN into English for 75 minutes, the Libyan dictator’s personal interpreter got lost in translation.When Americans hear Obama they don't collapse - they just shout "You Lie!"
"I just can’t take it any more," Khadafy’s interpreter shouted into the live microphone – in Arabic.
At that point, the U.N.’s Arabic section chief, Rasha Ajalyaqeen, took over and translated the final 20 minutes of the speech.
"His interpreter just collapsed – this is the first time I have seen this in 25 years," another U.N. Arabic interpreter told The Post.
Breaking with protocol, Khadafy brought his own interpreters from Tripoli for Wednesday’s speech rather than use one of the 25 Arabic translators supplied by the United Nations, staff interpreters said.
Friday, September 25, 2009
World Leader's Speech Causes Listener to Collapse
Surprisingly, it wasn't Obama speaking:
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If I had interpreted Kadhafi's nonsensical hour-plus monologue, I surely would have collapsed as well. The mental fatigue involved in interpreting is substantial and both directly and positively correlated to the sensible organization and communication of the thoughts of the speaker. The less sense it all makes and the less inter-connected the train of thought, the more difficult interpreting becomes. It is too bad a UN interpreter didn't get stuck with Kadhafi instead! I wonder what Kadhafi's interpreter will do now...change jobs? Hopefully he gets some rest first! :) I wouldn't want to interpret for Obama either! Because I interpret in American Sign Language, I fear my true opinions/emotions might show through on my facial expressions (i.e. not pretty)!
Sarah
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