So, we’ll be talking about technology and how it affects your field of work
what do you do?
I work as a Japanese and English interpreter and translator at the national astronomy observatory of Japan. I'm a tour guide for English and Spanish speakers and I translate the articles that are updated at our website from Japanese to English and some other texts.

Do you think technology has been helpful for you?
Definitely. I've been using technology since I started studying at university. My phone is very helpful, and even now it still helps me a lot when I'm interpreting. If I ever need to check a new word I can do it very quickly using my phone.

What kind of technological devices do you use for your job?
In simultaneous interpretation, we work in a booth which is supposed to be soundproofed. Here we use headsets,  laptops with wifi to write down notes and also to check vocabulary- which are especially helpful when translating text. However during consecutive and whispered interpretation we don't use any technological devices because there isn't any time.

How do you think translation was before, without all this tech? Do you consider the tools interpreters or translators used back in the days technological devices?
I think that for interpreters it wasn’t that bad. The only “technological devices” we really need are a headset and and sound systems for simultaneous interpretation, but for the other types of translation technology isn't needed. But to translate something it was without doubt difficult because now we use a computer to write and most of the time we use a online dictionary to check some words so it is faster, but before technology you had to use a pen and paper, as well as a physical dictionary to aid you.

What about apps?
Well, I don't really use apps. If I want to check any word I just go to an online dictionary.

Do you use devices like cellphones and tablets?
Yes, of course, I have both actually. I need them to be in touch with my contacts, so I use them a lot.