ProFeSSIoNAL ISoLATIoN 30.6 per cent of respondents reported professional isolation or lack of interaction with Translating and Interpreting colleagues as a problem. Table 5 sets out a selection of respondents’ comments on professional isolation and the lack of mentoring or peer support in the Translating and Interpreting industry.
Table 5—Comments on professional isolation and lack of peer support > It is a very lonely job. you work by yourself and there is no debriefing, can’t talk to your colleagues > The biggest [problem with lack of interaction] is lack of unity > It is not a big problem at this stage because I know and have contact with colleagues but this was different in the earlier years of working as a Translator/ Interpreter, and I am forever grateful to a couple of senior colleagues for answering my questions and giving me some orientation. I sometimes miss the support of, and more direct interaction with, colleagues ... when problematic situations arise at work > The interpreter can feel lost and very isolated, which causes stress and makes you feel depressed. As a result ... I have a lack of motivation and am losing interest in the job, even [though] it can be very interesting and enjoyable at times > I have worked in isolation for nearly 20 years > There is no sharing of knowledge/problems encountered and this does not allow [you] to grow as a professional > I do not get to speak with other[s] ... and understand what problems they are having and to be able to speak about the ones I have. It would be great to be able to share experiences > [It would be good to have the] ability to discuss the practice in general. It is a lonesome role [and it] would be nice to have an opportunity to have “colleagues” > Generally get a bit lonely just working at home all the time. would appreciate [the] opportunity to work with others ... and [have] more face to face with clients ... General lack of human interaction ... is a problem > I never get a chance to debrief with colleagues, even after a very difficult or intense session > I work alone [and] don’t have an opportunity to compare my work with others and discuss issues that arise that would be common in the field, whether they are doubts or questions or issues about the profession or ethics > Not able to share resources and knowledge [or] exchange valuable information > [There is a] lack of sense of belonging > I would like to have a feeling that I belong to a group of like-minded people. I would like to be able to discuss things that concern me with people that perhaps have gone through the same concerns in the past > Big time. I feel that we are rivals rather than colleagues > we have no work mates. No communications between us. we don’t belong anywhere ... It’s a sad job.
“I work alone [and] don’t have an opportunity to compare my work with others and discuss issues that arise that would be common in the field, whether they are doubts or questions or issues about the profession or ethics.”
PAGe 17