In 1956, during a diplomatic reception in Moscow, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev told Western Bloc ambassadors, "My vas pokhoronim!"
1956年，在墨西哥的外交招待會上 蘇聯領導人尼基塔·謝爾蓋耶維奇·赫魯雪夫告訴西方集團大使 「不管你們喜不喜歡，歷史都在我們這一邊，我們會為你們掘土」
His interpreter rendered that into English as, "We will bury you!"
他的翻譯把他的話翻譯成 「我們要埋葬你們」
This statement sent shockwaves through the Western world, heightening the tension between the Soviet Union and the US who were in the thick of the Cold War.
這句話震驚了西方國家 使在冷戰期間的蘇聯與美國關係 進一步降到了冰點
Some believe this incident alone set East/West relations back a decade.
有一些人認為就這一事故會使東西關係倒退十年
As it turns out, Khrushchev's remark was translated a bit too literally.
最終證明發現，對於赫魯雪夫的言辭翻譯的有些太誇張了
Given the context, his words should have been rendered as, "We will live to see you buried," meaning that Communism would outlast Capitalism, a less threatening comment.
鑑於上下文， 他的話應該渲染為：「我們會活著看你自掘墳墓」 意味著共產主義會超過資本主義，變成了一個威脅性更小的評論
Though the intended meaning was eventually clarified, the initial impact of Khrushchev's apparent words put the world on a path that could have led to nuclear armageddon.
雖然赫魯雪夫預期的意思 最終被澄清了 但如果這句話走上了世界的道路，可能就會引發核戰爭
So now, given the complexities of language and cultural exchange, how does this sort of thing not happen all the time?
所以現在，當我們考慮到語言與文化交流的複雜性 怎樣才能避免這樣的事情反覆發生？
Much of the answer lies with the skill and training of interpreters to overcome language barriers.
大部分答案說是取決於翻譯官的技能與培訓 去克服語言障礙
For most of history, interpretation was mainly done consecutively, with speakers and interpreters making pauses to allow each other to speak.
在翻譯歷史上，口譯主要是按順序做的 說話者和翻譯員會停頓允許對方說話
But after the advent of radio technology, a new simultaneous interpretations system was developed in the wake of World War II.
但是在無線電技術問世後 一種新的同聲傳聲系統在二戰後發展起來
In the simultaneous mode interpreters instantaneously translate a speaker's words into a microphone while he speaks.
在同步模式下 翻譯者可以在瞬間為說話者翻譯 並將翻譯內容在說話者說話時傳入麥克風
Without pauses, those in the audience can choose the language in which they want to follow.
沒有停頓，觀眾可以選擇 自己可聽懂的語言
On the su rface, it all looks seamless, but behind the scenes, human interpreters work incessantly to ensure every idea gets across as intended.
表面上看起來是無縫的，但是在幕後 人工翻譯人員在不間斷的工作著 保證每一個觀點都被正確翻譯
And that is no easy task.
這可不是一個簡單的任務
It takes about two years of training for already fluent bilingual professionals to expand their vocabulary and master the skills necessary to become a conference interpreter.
即使是雙語流利的人員也要經過兩年的訓練 去擴大他們的詞彙量並且掌握主要的技能 最終成為一名會議翻譯人員
To get used to the unnatural task of speaking while they listen, students shadow speakers and repeat their every word exactly as heard in the same language.
聽和說在同一時刻，去順應不自然的工作任務 這些翻譯學員是說話者的影子， 並重複他們的每一個字，就像是在同一語言中聽到的一樣就像是在同一語言中聽到的一樣
In time, they begin to paraphrase what is said, making stylistic adjustments as they go.
隨著時間的推移，他們開始釋義 根據實際情況進行風格調整
At some point, a second language is introduced.
再某些特殊點上，運用第二種語言進行介紹
Practicing in this way creates new neural pathways in the interpreter's brain, and the constant effort of reformulation gradually becomes second nature.
翻譯人員運用這種方法練習來建立新的大腦思維方式 再加上不斷的努力，逐漸形成為第二天性
Over time and through much hard work, the interpreter masters a vast array of tricks to keep up with speed, deal with challenging terminology, and handle a multitude of foreign accents.
隨著時間的推移和努力的工作 翻譯官在掌握大量的技巧後，逐漸提高速度 處理具有挑戰性的術語， 並處理大量外語口音
They may resort to acronyms to shorten long names, choose generic terms over specific, or refer to slides and other visual aides.
他們會運用縮寫來縮短較長的名字 選擇特定術語 或參考幻燈片和其他視覺助手
They can even leave a term in the original language, while they search for the most accurate equivalent.
當他們在尋找最準確的同義詞時 他們甚至可以在原先的語言中留下一個術語
Interpreters are also skilled at keeping aplomb in the face of chaos.
翻譯官們在面對混亂的場面時善於保持沉著冷靜
Remember, they have no control over who is going to say what, or how articulate the speaker will sound.
要記住的是，他們沒法控制誰會說什麼 或者發言人的發音是否清晰
A curveball can be thrown at any time.
意外隨時都會發生
Also, they often perform to thousands of people and in very intimidating settings, like the UN General Assembly.
此外，他們經常在有成千上萬人的會議上執行任務 和一些非常威嚴的地點
To keep their emotions in check, they carefully prepare for an assignment, building glossaries in advance, reading voraciously about the subject matter, and reviewing previous talks on the topic.
去控制自己的情緒 他們會仔細認真的準備一項任務 提前建立詞彙表 大量閱讀會議有關題材 並回顧以前談論的話題
Finally, interpreters work in pairs.
最終，在會議上翻譯官配對進行翻譯
While one colleague is busy translating incoming speeches in real time, the other gives support by locating documents, looking up words, and tracking down pertinent information.
當其中一個同事正在進項忙碌的實時翻譯 另一名通過定位文件進行支持 查詞彙 並尋找相關信息
Because simultaneous interpretation requires intense concentration, every 30 minutes, the pair switches roles.
因為同聲傳譯需要精神極度集中 每三十分鐘，同伴交換角色
Success is heavily dependent on skillful collaboration.
成功很大程度上是依賴於熟練的合作
Language is complex, and when abstract or nuanced concepts get lost in translation, the consequences may be catastrophic.
語言十分複雜 當翻譯一些抽象或微妙的概念時容易失去方向 後果或許是充滿災難性的
As Margaret Atwood famously noted, "War is what happens when language fails."
正如瑪格麗特·阿特伍德所說 「戰爭是當語言失敗時發生的事情」
Conference interpreters of all people are aware of that and work diligently behind the scenes to make sure it never does.
所有會議的口譯人員都意識到這一點,在幕後努力工作以確保這樣的事情不會發生。