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Z Volume 19, Number 1, September 2020, ISSN: 1680-1938 South African Translators’ Institute a SATI publication www.instagram.com/muratho_sati/ [email protected] Editorial board SATI Council Editor-in-chief: Giulia Gasperoni Chairperson: Eleanor Cornelius Copy editors: Laetitia Sullivan Vice-chairperson: Peter Mekgwe Manzo Khulu Proofreader: Anne Denniston Council members: Anja Kirchdörfer Lee Delphin Hlungwane Linda Botha Design consultant: Belinda Liebenberg Executive Director: Theresa Bender South African Translators’ Institute (SATI) PO Box 31360, Bloemfontein, 9317 [email protected] | www.translators.org.za SATI is a member of the International Federation of Translators (FIT) www.fit-ift.org | www.facebook.com/pages/FIT-International-Federation-of- Translators/395420590553230 Personal views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the authors and interviewees are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor-in-chief, the Council or members of SATI. This publication is subject to copyright and no material may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. For information and subscriptions, contact the Editor. The only thing you can count on is change. Patti Smith, Woolgathering Muratho means bridge in Venda. For SATI, this bridge creates connections in a changing world through language and communication. The2020 year has 2020 been has a beenyear ofone significant of significant changes. changes. Inas thiswell issue,as to documentyou will find some first-hand of the changesexperiences that of fellowwe have linguists witnessed as throughout described the in year. The COVID-19 NationsNations and and communities communities all all over over thethe world were Impact on Language Practitioners and When challenged by an invisible yet powerful enemy, In this issue, you will find some first-hand challenged by an invisible, yet powerful, enemy Things Go Wrong: A ‘Horror’ Story – the latter, with that took a heavy toll in multiple aspects of our experiences of fellow linguists in articles The that took a heavy toll on multiple aspects of our a light-hearted and humorous tone. We have also society. We had to adapt to a different kind of COVID-19 Impact on Language Practitioners and society. We had to adapt to a different kind of interviewed a language practitioner you might reality, which for many has proven extremely When things go wrong: A “horror” story – the reality, which for many has proven extremely have seen on TV during the lockdown. In addition, testing and surrounded by anxiety and latter, with a light-hearted and humorous tone. testing and surrounded by anxiety and insecurities. a guest contributor all the way from Canada insecurities. We have also interviewed a language practitioner shared with us a few tips on marketing for that you will probably have seen on TV during FacedFaced with with the the magnitude magnitude ofof thethe historicalhistorical and thefreelance lockdown. translators. In addition, a guest contributor all socio-politicalsocio-political events events happening happening around around us,us, itit is the way from Canada has shared with us a few notnot uncommon uncommon toto feelfeel somewhatsomewhat inadequate, tipsLanguage on marketing changes for and freelance adjusts translators. as its speakers do, irrelevant,irrelevant, or or out out of of place. place. I I dodo believe,believe, however, and it might even assist us in coping with tough thatthat we we have have the the potential potential to to make make a difference.a difference. times.Language We changesexplore thisand theoryadjusts in as Viral its Wordsspeakers, and offerdo, and more it mightinsights even on assist emotional us in intelligencecoping with in In InThe The History History of of the the Siege Siege of of LisbonLisbon byby Portuguese Survivingtough times. a Pandemic We explore. Then, this totheory end inon the an articleuplifting writerwriter José José Saramago, Saramago, a proofreadera proofreader shows shows that that he note,Viral weWords share and two offer delightful more projectsinsights aimedabout at he can change so much as the course of history emotional intelligence in Surviving a Pandemic. can change the course of history with one single sending a message of solidarity and positivity. with one single word! Out of metaphor (and Then, to end on an uplifting note, we share two word! We do not need to go that far to appreciate literary references): texts, both written and delightful projects that aim at sending out a our profession’s worth: texts, both written and I hope you will enjoy reading this issue of Muratho, spoken, and their languages carry an undeniable message of solidarity and positivity. spoken, and their languages carry an undeniable and I wish all of you and your families good health cultural and documentative value and we, as cultural and documentative value and we, as and the strength to deal with the changes of language practitioners, play a crucial part in this I hope you will enjoy reading Muratho, and I wish language practitioners, play a crucial part in the future. process. all of you and your families good health and best this process. of luck for the changes of the future. This is my intention for Muratho: to offer Thisinsightful is my intention resources for and Muratho points: toof offerreflection insightful that resourceswill assist and our points community of reflection in finding that inspiration, will assist Giulia Gasperoni our community in finding inspiration, and to Giulia Gasperoni document some of the changes that we have EDITOR-IN-CHIEF witnessed throughout the year. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF pp 2–4 1. The Potential of the Unheard pp 6–8 2. Surviving a Pandemic pp 10–14 3. The COVID-19 Impact on Language Practitioners A. The Impact for: an Interpreter B. The Impact for: an Editor pp 16–18 4. Can You Still Grow Your Business During a Pandemic? pp 20–21 5. Viral Words pp 22–24 6. When Things Go Wrong: a “Horror” Story pp 26–27 7. International Translation Day pp 28–35 8. Che Cos’è che in Aria Vola? Muratho accepts articles in any of the official South African languages. If you wish to submit your piece, please contact the Editor at [email protected] PHOTO AND IMAGE CREDITS: Cover Page: Belinda Liebenberg | Page 1: Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash | Page 5: Photo by Daniil Kuželev on Unsplash | Page 9: Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Unsplash | Page 15: Photo by J. Kelly Brito on Unsplash | Page 17: Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash | Page 19: Photo by Brandi Redd on Unsplash | Page 21: Wanderer above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich | Page 25: Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash | Page 28: Giovanna Scalfati MURATHO – SEPTEMBER 2020 1 Reflections on SASL, an interview with Andiswa Gebashe By Giulia Gasperoni Andiswa Gebashe is a media and entertainment Plus, my mom is a trained nurse and I feel that, in South African Sign Language interpreter. a way, I also take care of people in this profession. She has become a known face during lockdown as I was then “discovered” by Asanda Katshwa, she and other colleagues interpreted President who trained me and whom I am lucky enough to Cyril Ramaphosa’s addresses to the nation. We call a mentor. had a chat with her about SASL and her work as an interpreter. Digitally, of course! We gravitate towards what we see, not Tell us about your background. How have you what we hear. come into contact with SASL and why did you decide to become an interpreter? What are your thoughts on professionalism and ethical practice? It started in my family: my mother is fully hearing whereas my father is deaf. He is an outstanding I would like to start by saying that SASL is my human being with a pure heart, who has always home language but on certain occasions I find been an immensely positive influence on me, myself holding back from putting it in those terms someone I look up to and strive to be like. I am because I don’t want people to get the wrong blessed to have been raised in a loving family, impression – that is , that I am a SASL interpreter that has always supported me no matter what only because it is my mother tongue or because I wanted to do. I am a CODA1 . Of course, this is not what legitimates my qualification. Knowing a language The idea of becoming a SASL interpreter did not does not equal being able to interpret: there is a occur to me from my early life, but it bloomed different set of skills. I would encourage potential with time. As we gravitate towards what we see interpreters to study and do the proper training, (not what we hear), I was drawn to the first in SASL itself and then in interpreting with performing arts as there was a lot of that in my this language. home growing up. 1Child of a Deaf Adult MURATHO – SEPTEMBER 2020 2 When I work, I want to make not just my family How does it feel to work with the President? but all my fellow SASL interpreters proud – especially after that embarrassing moment a couple of years ago2 which put us on the map, and not in a positive light. I am aware of the responsibility and I do not take it for granted. I strive to be as professional and accurate as I can be, to make sure that the message reaches everyone it needs to be sent out to. I also always have to keep in mind that, when I am on that platform, which is at a national level, I am I feel blessed and honoured to be one of the addressing South Africans all over the country, interpreters working during this testing time, with the most variegated background and some especially when many other freelancers have of whom speak different dialects of SASL.