Language interpretation holds down a key role in many sectors: medicine, law, and business, to name a few. 

Although we don’t know of any language service providers specialized in the field, there is clearly a certain demand for language interpreters who aid professional athletes.

I’ve already blogged about the use of interpreters in Major League Baseball, as well as the importance of language services at worldwide sports events such as the Olympic Games.

An article from Sunday’s New York Times alerted me to the need for language interpretation in a sport I’ve never given that much thought to: boxing.

According to journalist Thomas Golianopoulos, a few Spanish language interpreters have carved quite a niche for themselves by interpreting post-fight interview broadcasts.

However, it is harder to find qualified interpreters in other languages.

The article brings home an important point that is true in all types of language interpretation: being bilingual is not enough. All sports have particular technical language, and boxing interpreters, like any others, have to do their homework before going live.

“’I like to go where the boxers are getting ready and see if I could pick up some words or slang,’ said [boxing interpreter] De Jesus, a New York native of Dominican descent. ‘Sometimes, the Mexican fighters might have some slang, and I’ll ask around to make sure I am up to date. They all have their little sayings.’”

This type of research is all in a day’s work for qualified language interpreters in any field.

Betty Carlson

See Also

• Language Translation, Inc.
  A leading language translation and interpretation service provider for more than 20 years.