Many of my assignments take place in exactly this kind of setting. Around the table you will typically find CEOs or board members, investors, and representatives from different departments. For everyone involved, the stakes are high: the future direction of the company, strategic decisions, and the success of cooperation across borders.

In these conversations, it quickly becomes clear that interpreting is far more than translating words.

Between Precision and Diplomacy

International meetings often reveal differences in communication styles.

In German, criticism is frequently expressed quite directly. In English, it may be just as clear, but it is usually framed in a slightly different way.

I remember a discussion at a developer forum where one participant said, “Das ist doch Quatsch” (“That’s nonsense”). For the German participants, this was simply part of a lively technical debate. For international participants, however, it sounded much harsher.

In moments like these, it helps to convey not only the content but also the context. I briefly explained the idea of constructive debate, and the discussion continued smoothly without misunderstandings.

More Than Language

Many of my clients I have accompanied for several years. This means that I am often familiar not only with the company’s terminology but also with its structures and ongoing topics.

This knowledge is particularly valuable in sensitive conversations.

In addition, I am often the first point of contact for international guests if questions arise or if they need orientation during a visit. At the same time, this support relieves the organizers behind the scenes, who already have many responsibilities to coordinate.

The feedback I receive afterwards is especially rewarding:

“Good thing you were there.”
“Our guests felt very well looked after.”

In meetings with investors or international partners, it is not enough to transfer information accurately. What matters is that everyone involved feels truly understood.

Anyone working with international stakeholders needs trust — also in the language used.

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Press interviews are public communication. Statements made in a conversation may later appear in articles read around the world. For this reason, interview partners tend to choose their words carefully.

I am often asked to support interviews between international journalists and German executives. In these conversations, it becomes especially clear how important precise interpreting can be.

Balancing Openness and Discretion

I remember an interview between an international journalist and a German senior executive.

The executive understandably wanted to remain cautious and not reveal too much about upcoming developments. His answers were deliberately measured.

In situations like this, interpreting requires more than simply translating sentences. Certain phrases in corporate communication are intentionally vague or diplomatic.

As an interpreter, it is my task to recognize these nuances and find an equivalent tone in English. The message must remain just as careful and balanced as the original.

For journalists, precision is essential. A single word can easily change the meaning of a statement.

Humor and Cultural Context

Even in serious interviews, there are often moments that require a bit of cultural sensitivity.

During one company visit, a German CEO presented his international guests with a large gift basket and said jokingly:

“Although we are Swabians, we brought this overflowing basket.”

For German listeners, the joke is immediately clear. International audiences, however, need a small explanation.

Since the listeners were British, I added that Swabians have a reputation for being “as stingy as the Scots.” The joke landed, and the moment was preserved.

Local humor, cultural references, or subtle irony are difficult to translate automatically. They require someone who understands both the language and the context.

A Trusted Presence for International Guests

Press visits often involve more than the interview itself. Journalists may tour facilities, speak with several representatives, or participate in background conversations.

In these situations, I am often also a point of contact if questions arise or if guests need orientation.

Many international visitors appreciate having someone by their side who can help bridge both language and cultural differences.

This creates a sense of trust and helps conversations take place in a relaxed and professional atmosphere.

Listening Between the Lines

Interpreting involves much more than words.

Facial expressions, gestures, and the overall atmosphere of a conversation play an important role in how statements are understood.

This awareness becomes especially important in press conversations, where communication shapes how a company is perceived internationally.

When speaking to the international press, a clear message is essential — but so is the confidence that it will be understood exactly as intended.

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In the workshop "The voice from offstage" Christina Puciata, experienced speaker (DLF) and speech coach, teaches us the best techniques and skills to make the most of our voice. My goal is to be able to put so much into my voice that my listeners can follow with enthusiasm and stay concentrated at all times.

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The 26th International Festival of Animated Film (ITF) will take place in Stuttgart from 30 April to 5 May 2019. This attracts not only cartoon and animation fans to the city, but also the filmmakers and artists involved. Thanks to them, the audience can watch 1000 of the best animated films from 41 countries. I love the international flair of the festival, listening to the variety of languages and seeing those sparkling eyes. I am therefore all the more pleased to contribute as an interpreter to the opening and the award ceremony on Sunday.

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With several booths we are located in an "interpreter hub" behind - or rather in - the backdrops, we see our respective stage via a screen and feel like being right at the heart of it. When I walked through the venue earlier, I noticed that, in addition to the flexibility for the organizers, this format also offers a great advantage: it is pleasantly quiet. Small groups stand apart, talking undisturbed over a drink and networking without having to shout at each other. I suppose tonight participants will still be in the mood to party, because the day is so much more relaxing than it normally is the case at these events. But now I have to get to work, inspiring contributions are waiting to be translated. My favourites are the talks "Event Architecture and its Function as Designed Space for Encounter" by Tanja Kilzer/Kunsthistorisches Institut of Cologne University and "Expandes Spaces - How Media and Space Merge" by Prof. Ulrich Wegenast/ Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH.

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AIIC is the only international professional association for conference interpreters. It was founded in 1953. Today, it represents the interests of around 3,000 conference interpreters in over 90 countries. I feel honoured to be a member of this association, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to my colleagues who have supported me in this.

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Global Connect is an international trade fair that takes place biannually in Stuttgart. This is where all professionals dealing with globalisation, the world economy and trade relations meet. To do business abroad, you also need interpreters who are able to communicate competently from one language into another. This is why we are there. We will now spend two days talking to our clients and answering all imaginable questions. I look forward to meeting many new faces. Come and visit us in hall C2 - booth 2B20.

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We look forward to working with the press to support our professional association and to promote the conference interpreting profession. Our tasks include the preparation of press releases, the fostering of press contacts, the organisation of exhibition stands and much more.

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We mean connectivity of knowledge and information, industry 4.0, the use of automation, simulation, planning and control systems, analytical tools, internet-based business models and much more. At the same time, we use the term digitalisation for the conversion of analogue data into digital formats, such as when scanning documents.

In English, I have to decide - depending on the context - whether it's "digitalisation" or "digitisation"? Few people know an answer to this question, and even native English speakers get confused, which is why the two terms are often used as synonyms. In our role as interpreters and translators we need to be more precise and follow the definition:
"Digitalisation" means the use of digital technologies to facilitate business processes and everyday life, whilst "Digitization" stands for the conversion of analog to digital data.

In English, you can say: "Digitization is the integration of digital technologies into everyday life by the digitization of everything that can be digitized."

If you would like to know more about the origin of the terms and how they are used, I recommend the article from the "International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy".

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But it is worthwhile to be aware of it. Thinking happens so much faster than speaking, and then what I say has to be fit for the purpose, tailor-made for my audience, and politically correct. As a public speaker I might be afraid to be misunderstood, or too embarrassed to express myself clearly, or I want to sound more intelligent than I really am. Now, considering all this, imagine giving a presentation in a foreign language. The people we talk to might have an entirely different mindset, different experiences, and perhaps they even have a different cultural background.

As a conference interpreter I am trained to cope with these situations. I am aware of the differences. And I do my very best to get across everything you want to say, so that you are understood correctly.

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