Interpreter Profile: Junko Shrestha
We met Junko Shrestha, a versatile linguist who works as an interpreter and translator at the Finnish Public Service Interpreting Center. Junko’s range of languages is impressive: she interprets and translates Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, and Japanese. She offers a glimpse into the daily life and challenges of an interpreter, as well as her other fascinating profession as a legal anthropologist. You can watch Junko’s interview on video or read it on the blog.
The Path to Becoming an Interpreter and Translator
Junko began her career as an interpreter in 2013. She was motivated by a desire to help people and by the interesting variety the work offered. Although Junko enjoys both, she prefers translation.
“Translating is more enjoyable because I’m given enough time and all the materials in advance. And that means I have the chance to review all the vocabulary and terminology beforehand.”
The interpreter's varied daily life
Junkko’s work as an interpreter takes her to a wide variety of places. Her clients include hospitals (such as HUS), employment and economic development offices, district courts, police stations, and customs. Preparation is especially crucial in public service interpreting.
“When an interpreter knows in advance what kind of situation they’re coming into—for example, if it’s a police interrogation—we have that information beforehand, so understanding the nature of the crime and considering the appropriate vocabulary is really important. I feel that it’s easier for an interpreter if they understand what kind of situation it is, for example, how this process will proceed. So it would be really important for the interpreter to understand how the entire court process works or progresses.”
Challenging interpreting situations
Not all situations are easy. Junko recalls a recent court interpreting assignment where the client didn’t understand the process at all: who was speaking, why they had been summoned to appear, and what the interpreter’s role was.
“I was doing a court interpreting assignment, and the client hadn’t really understood the whole legal process—like who was speaking and why they’d been summoned there. And throughout the entire process, they’d thought the interpreter was there just to provide support.”
Work as a legal anthropologist
In addition to being an interpreter, Junko is a legal anthropologist. This background brings precision to Junko’s work, but what does that mean in practice?
“Forensic anthropology means that I examine human remains. And that helps in criminal investigations and also in determining the various causes of death.”
Artificial Intelligence and Translation
What about artificial intelligence, which everyone is talking about these days? Junko sees both benefits and limitations in it.
"Artificial intelligence is really important for everyone right now. But I was thinking, since we humans make a lot of mistakes, AI translates word for word. And when it comes to conveying culture, that doesn't come through in translations done by AI. I feel like that’s really important, and that it’s very different from a human translator. It feels a little strange, but sometimes with AI, I feel like everyone can benefit from it. It’s not so bad—I could put it that way."
Spring greetings in many languages
Finally, Junko sends sunny spring greetings to all readers in several different languages:
In Hindi and Nepali: Good morning, and many blessings on this spring season.
In Urdu: Hi, assalam-o-alaikum, I hope you all have a good day.
In Japanese: Hello, how are you?
Thank you, Junko, for the interview and for your valuable work as a bridge between languages and cultures!
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