Border Patrol
You know what's really annoying?
I was just watching "Border Patrol". It's a tv show made at various international airports in Australia. They show real life situations where suspicious people are stopped at customs. Sometimes they are carrying drugs, money or contraband, sometimes people are detained or questioned.
Interpreters show up often in Border Patrol; when someone's interviewed for any reason, they often need an interpreter to facilitate communication.
The annoying thing was that it was nothing like my test. I think that if someone from customs called me today and asked me to interpret for them I could do it. I could have interpreted into Mandarin/English any of the conversations that went on in the show. Furthermore, the conversations were nothing like my test.
Instead of cold, emotionanless conversations like this, which is what was in my test:
"Hello, please sit down. How is your pregnancy? It has been ten weeks, hasn't it? Has your morning sickness eased, or is it as bad as last time"
The conversations were more natural:
"Ok, so we've found money on ya, so what we're gonna do is upgrade the search, ok? Are you right with that?"
Aaargh! I could interpret in a real situation, but when I'm in an exam I bugger it up.
Anyway, I don't want to get all bitchy about the situation, that's not going to get me anywhere.
Mood: Happy Happy Joy Joy
February 10th, 2010 - 02:44
Even though the commenting is off, I still want to make a comment on it. Just like I said before, if something has ‘china’ involved, you can always expect it to be cheap, this time, it was a free meal. (I am not either criticizing or advocating).
(PS. I have added your QQ in my list, How come it is still not showing up ?)
February 10th, 2010 - 03:06
Here is an improved version (I think) of that essay:
跟华人去吃饭的时候经常 (会) 发生很尴尬的事 －结帐。在我们这里的话，最常见的是AA制，就是说把总计除以人数，每个人付的是一样（的），公平多吧。可是华人（add 就是 here if you want to make a emphasis on this ）习惯一个人请客。最近我跟（另外）三个人一起吃饭，一共四个人，（use 但 instead of 可 here)不是AA制，(delete 反)而是一个人付我们四个人的(use 钱 instead of 费)。我其实觉得是太过分(了)，我跟爱香愿意付一半，可是没办法。而且他上次也请了我一次（客 not 课）。这个人请(use 过 instead of 了)我一次，(replace 我今天还想今天请他 by 我今天想请还他)。可他不听！我今天说了：下次我请你。可是我相信，下次还会(是)老样子。我真的想请他，但他怎么总不愿意？我不付的话，是对我有一点耻辱
February 10th, 2010 - 03:16
Fun time! Try to interpret ‘shit’, ‘crap’, ‘feces’, ‘excrement’,'poo’ individually into Chinese.
February 10th, 2010 - 05:10
谢谢帮助！
大便，大便，屎，屎，大便。
February 11th, 2010 - 09:52
I’m always amazed that they have to wait for the interpreter to arrive… Australian airports are so far behind the rest of the world. The customs people are so dopey.. especially here in Perth
February 11th, 2010 - 10:31
If any customs people are reading, Andee and I are multilingual and looking for work. Well I am anyway.