Translation

Assisting communication between people who do not speak the same language must be rewarding. I never spoke Spanish well enough to translate sentences into English. However, I often translated English for speakers of English from other geographical areas. Let me explain.

I worked at a research lab in California. Two dozen scientists from a lab in Tennessee were hired to assist with experiments at the lab in California. Because Californians are convinced they don’t have an accent, they are at a loss when they encounter someone who speaks English that they cannot understand. I found their reaction hilarious.

I grew up in a bilingual situation. My Dad’s people were from Kansas. My Mom’s people were from West Virginia. The West Virginia accent is very similar to the Tennessee one. This meant I had a superpower I was unaware of, until now.

Word traveled fast that I could translate Tennessee English into California English on demand. Admin staff would drag a Tennessee person to my desk and make them repeat what they didn’t understand. Most of the time, I caught on right away. People were astounded. Of course, I enjoyed this. As time passed, my services became less and less necessary.

Why am I telling y’all this? I came across a photo that brought it all back to me:

Gotta LOVE it!