Nnttereraaktivktiv - Navigating uncharted waters: How we're riding out the pandemic - Divisions
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
nter
eraaktiv
Newsletter of the German Language Division
of the American Translators Association
2/2020
Navigating
uncharted waters:
How we’re riding out
the pandemic
Photo by Simon Clayton from Pexels
2
In this issue...
Editor-in-Chief
Marion Rhodes, San Diego, CA
marion@imctranslations.com
Copy Editors
Ivonne Reichard-Novak, Blacksburg, VA
ivonne@lexlation.com
Annett Kuester, McLean, VA
annett.kuester@gmail.com Editorial.......................................................................................................... 3
Melissa Kostelecky, Portland, OR Word from the Administrator...................................................................... 4
info@kosteltranslations.com
Sabine Seiler, Niskayuna, NY (Translation) Notes from the Homeland.................................................... 5
seilersabine7@gmail.com
GLD Conference Primer............................................................................... 7
Proofreaders
Feature: Homeoffice, die Corona-Ausgabe............................................. 10
Kimberly Scherer, Salzburg, Austria
kimberlyscherer@gmail.com – Die Kinderbetreuung hat meine Arbeit auf den Kopf gestellt....... 11
Ute Kegel, Bradenton, FL
ukegel@gmail.com
– Efficient Scheduling is Key................................................................... 12
Jill R. Sommer, – Ein schallgedämpftes Büro ist Goldes wert....................................... 14
Cleveland Heights, OH
gertoeng@jill-sommer.com
A Physician’s Perspective:
Erin Riddle, Owego, NY The Vital Role of Interpreters in Patient Outcomes................................ 17
erin@erinriddle.com Learning in Real Time................................................................................. 19
Calendar
A Front-Row Seat to the Pandemic, or:
Stella Waltemade, Munich, Germany
post@stellawaltemade.de How COVID-19 Pushed Me to Return to My Roots as a Virologist...... 21
Review Coordinator Thoughts on Surviving and Thriving in Quarantine............................... 23
Carlie Sitzman, Wilmington, DE Coronawortschatz....................................................................................... 25
carlie.sitzman@gmail.com
Design & Layout
Translator in Profile: Sabine Seiler............................................................ 27
Daniela Radivo Harder, Dictionary Review
Norwood, MA Dictionary of Metallurgy and Metal Processing...................................... 28
dradivo@translations.eco
Calendar of Events 2020–21..................................................................... 30
GLD Officers:
Administrator
Ruth Boggs, Fairfax, VA
rutheboggs@gmail.com
Assistant Administrator
Sandy Jones, New York, NY
sandy@sj-translations.com
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
3 Editorial
Dear Readers, Translators and interpreters have played
an essential part in conveying infor-
2020 has been a year unlike any other.
mation to the public and facilitating
Our editorial team debated whether
communication throughout this pan-
we should let COVID-19 take over
demic. In The Vital Role of Interpreters
this issue of interaktiv like it has taken
in Patient Outcomes (page 17), phy-
over all other aspects of our lives. In
sician Christopher Hale provides a rare
the end, we felt that the historic nature
glimpse into the life of an emergency
of our current situation and its impact
room doctor and explains the critical
on T&I professionals deserved to be
role of medical interpreters during the
preserved in writing. Thus, the theme for
public health crisis.
Marion Rhodes is an this newsletter was decided.
ATA-certified English Of course, we didn’t forget that we have
For many of us, the past months have
to German translator, an ATA Conference coming up. Doubt-
certified copywriter been challenging. From assignment
lessly, this year’s virtual ATA Conference
and multilingual SEO slumps to blurred boundaries between
will be a whole new experience, but
specialist. A native work and family life, we have had to
that didn’t deter the GLD from offering
of Germany, she adapt and adjust to this “new
immigrated to the a great variety of sessions in
normal” that is anything but.
United States in 2001 the German track (Confer-
Starting on page 10, GLD
and currently lives ence Primer, page 7).
in San Diego. Before
members Christine Lorenz,
Unfortunately, we won’t be
starting her translation Annett Kuester, and Ivonne
able to have an in-person
career, Marion worked Reichard-Novak tell us how
networking event this year,
as a reporter for the the pandemic has affected
but Ruth Boggs tells us
Omaha World-Herald their lives as WAHMs (work
in Nebraska and as a how we can still connect
at home moms) in Homeof-
freelance writer. She with our fellow German
fice, die Corona-Ausgabe.
holds a bachelor’s speakers during this year’s
degree in journalism
Our European Coordinator
conference in her Word from the Ad-
and a master’s degree Ellen Yutzy-Glebe gives us insight into
ministrator (page 4).
in integrated marketing pandemic life on the other side of the
communications. For Atlantic in her (Translation) Notes from Finally, this issue includes a review of
more information, visit the Homeland (page 5). the Dictionary of Metallurgy and Metal
imctranslations.com. Processing by Heike Holthaus (page
But the virus has also brought about new
28), and our usual Translator in
opportunities. Geoff Chase explains his
Profile feature (page 27), where we
work on the frontline of the pandemic in
introduce you to one of our new copy-
How COVID-19 Pushed Me to Return
editors, Sabine Seiler.
to My Roots as a Virologist (page 21).
Our contributor Elani Wales tells us how As usual, we end with a list of T&I-relat-
she made the best of the COVID-induced ed happenings around the world. Many
dry spell and lockdown in her Thoughts events have moved to an online format,
on Surviving and Thriving in Quarantine making them accessible to anyone, so
(page 23). Medical translator Pavitra be sure to check it out! And don’t forget
Baxi recounts how the novel coronavi- to visit our Google Calendar online and
rus spurred her professional growth by link it to your Outlook, iCalendar, or
forcing her to engage in Learning in other calendar apps!
Real Time (page 19). Mit sonnigen Grüßen aus San Diego
Marion Rhodes
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
4 Word from the Administrator
By Ruth Boggs
Dear Colleagues, continuing education and networking is
I hope this finds you well. Since our concerned, is undiminished. Don’t miss
spring issue, this polite phrase has taken this chance to catch up and keep up!
on a whole new meaning. The pande You can register here.
mic has thrown everyone for a loop and I’m excited about our GLD Distin-
I really do hope that none of you has guished Speaker, who is excellently
had to cope with COVID-19. suited to address the hot-button issue of
Our world has been turned upside MT: Prof. Dr. Dirk Siepmann, an expert
Ruth Boggs joined ATA
down. Even those of us who didn’t in DeepL, who will be joining us via
in 1991 and is certified experience a sharp drop in work and Zoom from Osnabrück. He will present
income, and who don’t have two sessions and answer your
in German>English
& English>German. to deal with homeschooling, questions. Please consult the
She holds an MA in travel restrictions, etc., feel a online conference program for
Writing from George heavy emotional load. other sessions in the German
Mason University. track.
Before becoming a full- Home quarantining, social
time freelance translator distancing, virtual socializing, strategic Our Networking Session is scheduled
& interpreter in 1995, shopping—who would’ve thought? I for Sunday, October 18, at 5:30 pm EST,
she was assigned to the
never longed to become adept in Zoom and our Annual GLD Meeting will be
German Embassy in
Washington, D.C. Ruth and Skype and WebEx and Instacart and held on Monday, October 19, at 11 am
has traveled the United DoorDash, etc., or see the Amazon, EST. I know that these dates and times
States extensively as UPS, or FedEx delivery people on my are not convenient for some of you, but
a State Department porch on a regular basis, but that’s the we picked the best from the few time
contract interpreter. “new normal” and we’re going to have slots ATA made available to us. Details
She lives in Fairfax,
to deal with it, like it or not, facemasks as to login, etc. will be announced via
Virginia and can be our social media as soon as they become
reached at and all.
available.
rutheboggs@gmail.com I’ve heard from colleagues who have
weathered this storm relatively un- Finally, this is my last Administrator’s
scathed, with little change in their work Column. After four years, it is time for
situation, and others who have been fresh horses and a new administrator
devastated. Some translators have seen will take over at the Annual Meeting.
their workload go to zero, due to the It’s been a pleasure serving you. I ap-
synergistic effect of the COVID crisis, preciate your confidence in me, and I
machine translation (MT), and various would like to thank my Assistant Admin,
industry buyouts. Interpreters had to Sandy Jones, and my Leadership Council
adapt to life outside the booth, VRI, and for their continued willingness to serve,
new technology. Now more than ever, it wise counsel, and support. The GLD is
is important for us to stay connected and in good hands.
on top of our game. On that note—stay positive, test
ATA61 has gone virtual. There will be no negative!
trip to Boston or congregating around the Collegially yours,
proverbial water cooler this year, but the
value of the annual conference, as far as Ruth Boggs
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
5 (Translation) Notes from the Homeland
By Ellen Yutzy Glebe
Whew! What a time we’ve had since the having my kids fighting—or my husband
last issue, which naively summed up our (a teacher) conducting endless Skype
European workshop in February thinking conferences—in the next room. Not to
that the way we left town just ahead of mention coordinating worksheets and
a hurricane was the exciting conclusion school assignments, trying to explain the
of the story, oblivious to the upheavals use of lowest common denominators,
that the next six months would bring. and finding ways to keep all of us sane,
For those of us here in Germany, that even when it feels as though the “ceiling
was just a couple of weeks before the is falling on our heads”!
A native of western coronavirus story started trending in the
NC, Ellen Yutzy Glebe All that aside, for the time being—but
news, and by mid-March, things had
was a history and who knows by the time this column
shut down more or less entirely …
German studies major goes to print?—it seems that things here
at Guilford College Obviously, the experience of COVID-19 are slowly returning to normal. School
in Greensboro, NC,
on this side of the Atlantic has been quite children are returning to school full-time
and earned a
PhD in European different from in the USA, but I suppose with a few restrictions (masks on the bus
history at UC-Berkeley no matter where you’ve and in hallways, no sing-
before transitioning to a been riding out the storm, ing in music classes, etc.),
career as a professional the situation varies a great and most of our family’s
translator (GE>EN) and
deal depending on your German acquaintances
editor (EN) of academic
texts. She now lives individual circumstances. did go somewhere for
in Kassel, Germany, While many colleagues summer vacation, if not
a town with beautiful have seen a sudden de- as far-flung or as care-
green spaces and good crease in inquiries, others freely as they might have
ICE connections. She
experienced increased demand for their otherwise. Infection numbers are under
is a member of ATA,
BDÜ, and a number of services. Those with school-age children control but not stagnant, and are rising
historical associations. suddenly found themselves juggling again slowly. The coming weeks might
For more details see parenting and homeschooling in whole well bring a surge that will require new
www.writinghistory.de. new dimensions, perhaps even as they measures.
faced unprecedented existential worries.
One thing is for certain: the experiences
If I had a euro for every time someone of the past six months and the months to
told me over the past six months that come will change our society in some
this situation was “nichts Neues” for respects forever. Some experts don’t
me because I was used to working “im expect air travel numbers to ever reach
Home Office” (as the Germans say!), I the pre-COVID levels, and the crisis has
could go on an extended vacation and forced even the technophobes among
drink cocktails on the beach. Yes, I’m us to avail ourselves of new technolo-
used to working from home, but not to gies. My daughter now feels entirely
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
6 comfortable propping up the tablet and plane or train and meet colleagues in
playing restaurant with her cousins on person. Will we ever go back to shaking
the other side of the Atlantic. My kids hands? When we do meet again, our
have played countless rounds of Catan vocabularies will have changed. Who
online against friends and family since among us had thought about com-
March. Many of us will have already munity masks or Mund-Nasen-Schutz
attended our first online conferences or before March? Or to measure space in
look forward—with or without trepida- surfboards or Babyelefanten?
tion—to the virtual ATA conference. Speaking of vocabularies: this link to
In some instances, we will experience a Corona-related glossary in seven
these changes as enriching. In other cas- languages popped up in my Facebook
es, we will make a note to be especially feed this week, and I thought it might be
grateful when things have finally settled useful or interesting to you all! All the
back to the point that we can get on a best to everyone! Be well!
Photo by Jeff Sanfacon 2019
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
7
GLD Conference Primer
ATA61 is going virtual!
The location has changed, but the experience has not.
The ATA 61st Annual Conference will feature a good variety of sessions of interest to division members.
Below is a list of presentations in the German track to help you map out your virtual conference schedule.
Full descriptions as well as a list of other conference sessions are available here.
German Topics Agenda
Thursday, October 22
(014) Decoding German Buzzwords: ‘Digitalisierung’ and All Things 4.0
Michael Schubert, CT
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
German business writing can be an echo chamber of trendy industry buzzwords. Many of these
terms and phrases get carried over too literally into a sort of English that elicits shrugs in the
intended target markets (but doesn’t sell products). The speaker will examine a handful of these
buzzwords, decode them, and talk about solutions for translating them into an intelligent and
intelligible English. The goal is to help our German clients speak to global markets in a language
that resonates! There will be ample time for attendee input and group discussion.
Topics: German, Terminology, Translation
(125) Legal Translation: How Hard Can It Be?
Jacqueline Jugenheimer, CT
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EDT
Legal translations bring challenges not found elsewhere in the field. Not only is the language
different, but the entire underlying legal framework might differ as well. Consider, for
instance, referring to ‘The Second Amendment’ in a translation for German audiences. It can get
complicated, not just for the obvious traps found in this example, but also for less obvious terms
(e.g., concepts such as ‘relief’ and ‘jurisdiction’). This session will highlight some hurdles for both
human and machine translation, present yellow flags to watch for, and provide tools for getting it
right. English>German examples will be provided.
Topics: German, Legal T&I, Terminology
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
8
Friday, October 23
(034) Academic and Popular-Academic Translation (German>English)
Dirk Siepmann (German Language Division Distinguished Speaker)
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT
The speaker will discuss the difficulties frequently encountered in translating academic texts from
German into English, providing both examples and general advice. Part I (lexis) will show how
to cope with the wide differences in conceptualization between research communities. Adequate
translations of general-language words and terminology often requires explication in the target
language. Part II (syntax) will demonstrate how to render dense German syntax into smoothly
flowing English prose. It will focus on nominal versus verbal constructions as well as the ordering
and redistribution of information in the target language.
Topics: German, Terminology
(044) Who’s Afraid of DeepL? (German>English, French>English)
Dirk Siepmann (German Language Division Distinguished Speaker)
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
Machine translation (MT) tools like DeepL have become a significant concern to the translation
industry. Clients either turn away from professional translators, assuming that DeepL will do the
job just as well, or they submit a machine-translated text for post-editing, blithely unaware that
this may be more time-consuming than translation from scratch. This session will examine the
strengths and weaknesses of DeepL and suggest strategies for post-editing. It will demonstrate
that fully automated high-quality MT is still out of reach. In what ways does the machine either
assist or mislead translators, and when to do without it?
Topics: French, German, Language Technology, Literary Translation, Science & Technology,
Terminology, Translation
(065) Translating for Man and Machine: The Art and Craft of Search Engine
Optimized Translations
Marion Rhodes, CT
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EDT
With continuous improvements in machine translation, it’s important for translators to adopt
niche specializations and/or offer supplemental services to keep a competitive edge. Search engine
optimization translations—translations that are optimized for search engines—are growing in
demand, and many translators are attracted to this lucrative field. Alas, optimizing language copy
requires more than sprinkling translated keywords across the page. In this session, attendees will
learn the basics of optimization and receive an introduction into web content writing that appeals
to humans and search engines alike. Presented in English with examples in German.
Topics: German, Independent Contractors, T&I Industry, Translation
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
9
Saturday, October 24
(071) Terminology of the Ears, Nose, and Throat
Jill R. Sommer and Karen Leube
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Ever wondered what’s the difference between an otolaryngologist, ear, nose, and throat (ENT)
physician, and audiologist? Have you ever seen the inside of an ear? The speakers will introduce
you to the world of ENT and then delve into the highly specialized terminology of otolaryngology
and audiology. They will share examples from German and English to demonstrate the pitfalls of
medical jargon, acronyms, and cognates.
Topics: German, Medical T&I, Terminology
Displaying the ATA logo is a benefit that some members overlook
www.atanet.org/membership/ata_logo_guidelines.php
GLD Networking Session
GLD Annual Meeting
We look forward to seeing you there!
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020
10 Feature: Homeoffice, die Corona-Ausgabe
By Ivonne Reichard-Novak, Christine Lorenz, and Annett Kuester
Stanford Professor of Economics Nicho- Als Übersetzer und Dolmetscher sind
las Bloom veröffentlichte im Jahr 2014 wir daran gewöhnt, zumindest teilwei-
im Quarterly Journal of Economics das se von zuhause zu arbeiten. Aber was
Ergebnis einer zweijährigen Studie1, die passiert, wenn sich unser Arbeitsumfeld
aufzeigte, dass die Arbeit im Homeoffi- plötzlich ändert? Wenn unser ruhiges
ce die Produktivität von Arbeitnehmern Homeoffice plötzlich von Kinderge-
begünstigt. Im Testbetrieb, einem Call schrei, lauter Musik und nicht wirklich
Center, konnte eine 13 prozentige wichtigen (aber „absolut brennenden“)
Erhöhung der Arbeitnehmerleistung Fragen infiltriert wird?
festgestellt werden. Dieser oft zitierten Wir haben drei Übersetzerinnen mit
Studie folgten unzählige weitere, die Kindern unterschiedlichen Alters gefragt,
sowohl eine gesteigerte Produktivität, wie sie mit der plötzlichen Quarantäne-
höhere Arbeitszufriedenheit und eine situation während der Corona-Krise
verbesserte Work-Life-Balance bei in umgingen, und welche Ratschläge sie
Telearbeit beschäftigten Arbeitnehmern weitergeben möchten. Lesen Sie ihre
nachweisen konnten. Antworten auf den folgenden Seiten.
1
Nicholas Bloom (with James Liang, John Roberts and Zhichun Jenny Ying), Does working from home work?
Evidence from a Chinese experiment, Quarterly Journal of Economics, November 2014.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202011 Christine Lorenz:
Die Kinderbetreuung hat meine Arbeit auf den Kopf gestellt
Wie sah deine Routine vor COVID-19 Einen gewissen Ausgleich brachte das
aus? Was hat sich geändert? erhöhte Übersetzungsaufkommen für
Vor der Pandemie brachte ich unseren die EU, zum gleichen Zeitpunkt wurden
2-jährigen Sohn kurz vor 8 Uhr zu europaweit Gesetzesnovellen bezüglich
seiner Tagesmutter und arbeitete dann der Ein- und Ausfuhr von Medikamenten
bis ca. 15 Uhr nachmittags, um ihn an- verabschiedet.
schließend wieder bei ihr abzuholen.
Was war überraschend oder sogar
Christine Lorenz Je nach Auftragslage und Lieferterminen
positiv?
arbeitet als freiberuf- arbeitete ich noch abends und gelegent-
liche Übersetzerin für lich auch am Wochenende. Positiv war für mich, dass wir die kom-
die Sprachrichtungen plexen Auswirkungen einer Pandemie
Englisch und Als pandemiebedingt Mitte März alle auf Arbeitsalltag und Familienleben
Tschechisch > Deutsch Kitas in Berlin geschlossen wurden und nach der Umstellungsphase genießen
in Berlin. Ihre auch die Tagesmütter ihre Arbeit vorü- konnten – als neu gewonnene gemein-
Leidenschaft für
bergehend beenden mussten, verlagerte
lebendige Geschichte same Freiheit und Freizeit.
lebt sie ehrenamtlich sich meine Arbeitszeit in die Abend-
bei der Transkription stunden und Wochenenden. Da unser Was würdest du ändern, wenn sich die
alter Kirchenbücher und Kind noch Mittagsschlaf macht, habe derzeitige Situation auf 1–2 Jahre er-
nicht ehrenamtlich als ich auch in dieser Zeit einiges schaffen strecken würde?
vom Landgericht Berlin können, musste aus Zeitgründen aber
allgemein ermächtigte Der Arbeitsschwerpunkt Tourismus wür-
auch Aufträge ablehnen.
Übersetzerin für de weiterhin an Gewicht verlieren und
manchmal sehr alte Per-
sonenstandsurkunden.
Wie hat die Quarantäne dein Arbeits- kontinuierlich durch Themengebiete
In ihrer Freizeit er- leben beeinflusst? wie Daten- und Umweltschutz ersetzt
gründet sie gemeinsam Die Betreuung unseres Sohnes da- werden.
mit Sohnemann und heim hat meine üblichen Arbeits- und
Ehemann die Geheim- Welche Tipps würdest du Eltern geben,
Bürozeiten komplett auf den Kopf ge-
stellt. Da ich einen Großteil meiner die erst anfangen, von zuhause zu
nisse des Gartenbaus.
Aufträge – von Speisekarten bis zur arbeiten?
Online-Präsentation von Luxushotels – Es ist auf jeden Fall empfehlenswert,
aus der Tourismusbranche erhalte, löste schon vor dem „Ernstfall“ eine ver-
sich dieses Problem mit dem rapiden trauenswürdige und zuverlässige
Rückgang des internationalen und na- Kinderbetreuung zu organisieren, die
tionalen Reiseverkehrs quasi von selbst. auch kurzfristig einspringen kann.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202012 Annett Kuester: Efficient Scheduling is Key
Describe your routine prior to the remember those first weeks of quaran-
COVID-19 crisis. What has changed tine as a series of indistinguishable days,
since then? all flowing into each other, that I mostly
With close to six years of homeschool- spent canceling travel plans and camp
ing under my belt, my situation was a bit registrations, finding alternatives to
different from that of many of my fellow in-person classes, installing two ballet
translators. For years, I had relied on a studios in different corners of our home,
tried-and-trusted combination of cur- and repeatedly upgrading our Wi-Fi
ricula and materials from the German system.
A former business distance school and an American online
consultant and policy school. The kids, ranging from mid-ele- How did the lockdown impact your
analyst, Annett Kuester mentary grades to almost high school, professional life?
works as a freelance
translator (DE ENG,
worked largely independently and with With everyone home all the time,
ITA > ENG/ DE) in the greater ownership, shifting my role from boundaries quickly became blurred and
Washington, D.C. area. teaching to planning and monitoring. time for professional endeavors was sac-
When not translating, With every school year that passed, I rificed for the sake of family peace. For
she homeschools her had fine-tuned the art of scheduling to
three children. She the first two months, I put on hold any
carve out blocks of time when all kids
views the corona crisis plans for pursuing opportunities to grow
as an opportunity to
would be productively occupied for
my practice and only accepted jobs
indulge her obsession several hours. Between online classes,
two half days of in-person classes, and when I felt comfortable that I would be
with efficient scheduling
and time-saving hacks. afternoons and evenings taken up by able to deliver a good product. Interest-
sports and arts activities, our lives were ingly, I did not notice a significant drop
busy, but each day, I had blocks long in inquiries once we had passed the first
enough to dedicate to my work. The few weeks in lockdown. I have, however,
promise of summer, with kids in camps lost my steady flow of work translating
and significant time to ramp up my busi- Italian education certificates and driver’s
ness, loomed on the horizon. licenses for prospective Italian au-pairs.
Those translations might not have been
And then, the corona crisis hit. I thought
that I would be better placed to weath- the most interesting, but they were a
er this challenge than many parents source of income that I could rely upon
who—involuntarily and practically without having to do any marketing. This
overnight—had been catapulted into the type of straightforward work had previ-
position of quasi-homeschoolers. Not ously freed up some time to allow me
only that, but thanks to being temporari- to focus on going after more interesting
ly furloughed from my job as the family’s opportunities.
designated Uber driver, I expected more
time freed up for my translation prac- What was surprising, or even positive?
tice. What I had not appreciated was I am pleasantly surprised that my family
just how crucial those in-person classes members are indeed able to problem
and activities are for creating blocks of solve and show initiative. I had always
undisturbed professional time. I now suspected that they had potential.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202013 Joking aside, this period has forced me responsibilities. Invest time to ensure
to reflect on how to work more efficient- that technology works seamlessly, office
ly and less reactively. I have become a and school supplies are restocked, and
big believer in time blocking and day Zoom meeting links, etc. are accessible
theming. to everyone.
What changes would you make if the If you have school-age children, build
current situation continued for another the family schedule so that all kids are
one or two years? occupied at the same time. Figure out a
reasonable window of time that will be
I have been spending the last months
your professional time. Work backwards
preparing for exactly that. I have re-
to allow time for getting everyone ready
configured our home to give everyone
and set up for the day, then excuse your-
a dedicated and reasonably quiet
self and only allow interruptions for true
workspace, restocked office and school
emergencies.
supplies, stress-tested our Wi-Fi capa-
bilities to ensure that we can all be in Raise expectations for self-sufficiency
livestream classes or meetings at the and initiative among your family mem-
same time, and generally streamlined bers, especially if, thanks to working
our home as much as possible to hit the from home, you have fallen into the
ground running. I think of it as advance role of the go-to person for everyone’s
troubleshooting that will hopefully pay problems and requests. This will have
off in increased professional time. benefits beyond freeing up your time.
I have also thought very carefully about If the kids are not yet in school, trade
everyone’s schedule and tried to recreate off parenting time with your partner to
those blocks of professional time when create professional time for yourself or
everyone will be in a class or otherwise find reliable childcare.
productively occupied. Regaining that If your children are heavily involved
uninterrupted time has been my priority.
in extracurriculars, line up virtual al-
I am confident with that new schedule,ternatives, if feasible, so that you can
well-organized workspaces, and clear pivot easily. Schedule efficiently to cre-
expectations about respecting my work ate more professional time, but carefully
time, we will all have a productive year.
consider the practicalities: virtual music
What advice would you give to parents and ballet instruction separated only by
who are just starting to work from a thin wall will not produce a happy
home? outcome.
Have clear boundaries regarding Take it one day at a time! If something
workspaces, professional time, and does not work well, reflect, and improve.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202014 Ivonne Reichard-Novak:
Ein schallgedämpftes Büro ist Goldes wert
Wie sah deine Routine vor COVID-19 Wie hat die Quarantäne dein Arbeits-
aus? Was hat sich geändert? leben beeinflusst?
Bevor die Welt im Corona-Drama ver- Bereits am ersten Online-Schultag schli-
sank, lief unsere Familie wie eine gut chen sich Zweifel in mein optimistisches
geölte Maschine. Nach langen, teil- Bild. Das Büro meines Mannes befindet
weise chaotischen Jahren waren meine sich neben meinem und er verbringt
Kinder mit 22, 15 und 14 endlich in täglich den Großteil seiner Arbeitszeit
einem Alter, in dem sie weitgehend in (geräuschvollen) Videokonferenzen.
Ivonne Reichard-Novak selbstständig arbeiten konnten. Nr. 1 Als ich mich beim Versuch ertappte,
kam als Quereinsteiger- war im College und wohnte nicht mehr ein Wort aus der lauten Diskussion im
in zum Übersetzerberuf. Nebenbüro in meine Übersetzung ein-
Ursprünglich als Juristin zuhause, Nr. 2 besuchte die High School
tätig, übernahm sie und Nr. 3 die Middle School. Täglich zubauen, musste ich mir eingestehen,
2005 nach ihrem von 7:30 Uhr bis 15:30 Uhr gehörte das dass ich auf ein unerwartetes Problem
Umzug in die USA Haus mir. Ich arbeitete oft ohne Pause gestoßen war.
Vertragsübersetzungen
von 8:00 Uhr bis 15:30 Uhr, um mein Die Teens bewältigten ihren Schultag in
für Rechtanwälte,
die sich bald zu tägliches Pensum zu schaffen, und meist der Hälfte der Zeit, die sie in der Schule
einem Vollzeitberuf schob ich auch vor dem Abendessen dafür gebraucht hätten, und beschlossen,
ausweiteten. Nebenbei noch eine schnelle Stunde ein. Kurz ge- die restliche Zeit mit Nahrungszufuhr zu
managt sie einen Fünf- sagt, ich arbeitete schlichtweg zu viel. verbringen. Womit ich nicht gerechnet
Personen-Haushalt, mit
drei Kindern und einem
Dann kam Corona. hatte, war, dass jeder Snack mit einer
zerstreuten Professor. Frage an den Manager der Familie –
Wir erfuhren an einem Freitag im März,
Sie ist erreichbar unter mich – verbunden sein würde. Nr. 3
dass unsere Kinder auf unvorhersehbare
ivonne@lexlation.com. unterbrach mich letztendlich sogar bei
Zeit ihren Unterricht online erhalten
einem Zoom-Meeting mit einer Frage,
würden. Nach einer Umstellungsphase
und auf mein gedeutetes „Geh zum
von zwei Tagen lief dieser dann rei-
Papa!“ flüsterte mein Nachwuchs nur
bungslos über Video-Schulstunden,
„der ist auch in einer Videokonferenz!“
Google Classroom und Zoom-Video-
Ich schätze, es ist gefährlicher, den Leu
konferenzen weiter. Ich erwartete keine zu stören, als die Löwin.
Änderung meiner Routine, zumal nun
auch diverse Nachmittagsaktivitäten, Bereits nach einer Woche und unzäh-
die mich üblicherweise zur Chauffeurin ligen unterbrochenen Arbeitsphasen
machten, wegfielen. Natürlich würden wurde mir klar, dass es mir unmöglich
alle zuhause sein, beide Teens, der sein würde, weiterhin 7–9 Arbeitsstun-
College-Sohn und mein Mann, der sein den pro Tag zu finden.
eigenes Büro unabhängig von meinem Ich zog mich schweren Herzens aus
hat. Ich hoffte auf ein Stündchen mehr einem arbeitsintensiven Langzeitprojekt
Schlaf und problemlos planbare ge- zurück und nahm nur kleinere Projekte
meinsame Essenszeiten. bis ca. 5.000 Wörtern an. Ich erkannte,
nter
eraaktiv 2/202015 dass mein tägliches Brot – Rechtsüberset- langfristigen Klienten“). Ich versuche,
zungen – besonders unter den ständigen nicht darüber nachzudenken, ob und
Unterbrechungen litten, denn Sätze mit wie mein Business, das ich mir in jahre-
150 bis 200 Wörtern verlangen meist langer intensiver Arbeit aufgebaut habe,
einen ungestörten Gedankenprozess. überleben wird.
Im gleichen Maße wie ich meine Arbeit Was war überraschend oder sogar
reduzierte, wuchsen meine Aufgaben positiv?
für die Familie. Der Ausnahmezustand
Das Leben hat sich verlangsamt. Zum
brachte neue Probleme: Essensplanung,
ersten Mal seit Jahren habe ich tatsäch-
Einkäufe, reduzierte Verfügbarkeit von
lich Zeit und Muße zum Denken und
bestimmten Lebensmitteln und einen
Planen. Seit längerem spiele ich mit dem
sensiblen Gemütszustand bei meinen
Gedanken einer eventuellen Richtungs-
Kindern. Lange, beruhigende Gesprä-
änderung meiner beruflichen Karriere,
che und Diskussionen nahmen den
aber mir fehlte schlichtweg die Zeit,
Platz von Arbeitsstunden ein. Von Tag zu
Pläne zu machen oder mir überhaupt
Tag fiel es mir schwerer, auf die Fragen
darüber klar zu werden, in welche Rich-
und Sorgen meiner Kinder einzugehen,
tung ich mich bewegen möchte. Meine
matt-seymour-69zVsGRejY4-unsplash.jpg
während ich gedanklich damit beschäf-
Familie lacht, wenn ich erwähne „nach
tigt war, auszurechnen, wie viele Wörter
diesem Projekt werde ich …“, denn sie
ich heute noch unterbringen müsste, um
wissen, nach „diesem Projekt“ stecke
den nächsten Abgabetermin nicht zu
ich bereits im nächsten.
gefährden.
Mein Mann und ich setzten uns erneut Was würdest du ändern, wenn sich die
zusammen und diskutierten alle uns zur derzeitige Situation auf 1–2 Jahre er-
Verfügung stehenden Möglichkeiten strecken würde?
durch, mit dem Resultat, dass ich meine Ein schallgedämpftes Büro ist Goldes
Arbeitszeit weiter verringern musste (mit wert. Strikte Planung und ein zweiter
Beachtung auf „Aufrechterhaltung von Kühlschrank auch.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202016 Welche Tipps würdest du Eltern geben, denn „ihr seid ja zuhause“, während
die erst anfangen, von zuhause zu andere „arbeiten müssen“.
arbeiten? • Disziplin: Das Blumenbeet vor dem
Das kommt darauf an, wie viele Stunden Fenster (das vielleicht auch noch
man täglich für die Arbeit reservieren schmutzig ist) müsste dringend ge-
kann oder möchte. Ich kann nur sagen, jätet werden, und die Schule der
Vollzeit erfordert eiserne Disziplin, Kin- Kinder sucht nach Elternhelfern für
derbetreuung und die Einstellung, dass den nächsten Ausflug. Nichts davon
man vollzeit berufstätig ist. darf euch berühren, denn ihr seid
• Ein eigenes Büro ist unerlässlich: berufstätig. Während eurer Arbeits-
Wenn ich die Tür zu meinem Büro zeit geht euch ein vielleicht nicht
schließe, bin ich bei der Arbeit. ganz durchsichtiges Fenster nichts
Mein Bürozimmer ist frei von priva- an.
ten Ablenkungen, und ich verbringe Oh, und die Vorstellung, gemütlich im
auch keine Freizeit darin. Es ist aus- Pyjama, Kaffeetasse in der Hand, vor
schließlich für die Arbeit reserviert. dem Computer zu sitzen? Ich lese im-
• Kinderbetreuung: Wer Vollzeit mer wieder neidisch von Kollegen, dass
arbeiten möchte, braucht Kinderbe- es das geben soll. Leider nicht in meiner
treuung. Das kann ein Kindergarten Welt. In meiner Welt betrete ich mor-
sein, die Schule, die Großeltern oder gens um 8:00 Uhr nach dem Frühstück
fertig angezogen mein Bürozimmer und
welche Art auch immer zur Verfü-
beginne meinen Arbeitstag, der am frü-
gung steht. „Nebenbei die Kinder zu
hen Abend meinen anderen Tätigkeiten
betreuen“ funktioniert selten.
– Chauffeurin, Familienmanagerin und
• Die Umgebung muss mitziehen: Stellt Köchin – weicht. Nun, da ich die Zeit
klar, dass ihr nicht „zuhause“ seid, habe, über meine Routine nachzuden-
sondern arbeitet. Andernfalls sitzt ihr ken, gebe ich der Arbeit am Pool jedoch
regelmäßig an Tagen, an denen die noch eine Chance. Wenn ich einen Weg
Schule ungeplant geschlossen hat, finde, meine drei Monitore im Garten
mit fünf Freundes-Kindern im Haus, aufzubauen, hält mich nichts mehr auf!
nter
eraaktiv 2/202017 A Physician’s Perspective:
The Vital Role of Interpreters in Patient Outcomes
By Christopher Hale, M.D.
“Seventy-year-old female arriving by If we can’t communicate with our pa-
ambulance, in severe respiratory dis- tient, we’re working with one hand tied
tress. History is limited due to language behind our back. That’s why we consid-
barrier. ETA five minutes.” er our medical interpreters among our
The nurse relays the message from essential and life-saving colleagues.
paramedics, and I head to the resusci- With a quick call on our smartphone or
tation bay to prepare. When the patient video screen, we can call on the exper-
arrives, she looks terrible. She’s clearly tise of interpreters for literally dozens of
Christopher Hale is an distressed, but whether it’s from strug- languages.
emergency room doctor gling to breathe or from pain, I can’t tell. In our ER, we regularly treat patients
practicing in Oregon. Whatever she’s suffering from, it’s possi- who speak Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian,
After completing his
bly life-threatening. But when I begin to Cantonese, and Mandarin. I’ve had
medical degree at
Oregon Health & ask questions, she clearly patients who speak Arabic,
Science University doesn’t understand English. Amharic, Marshallese, Bur-
and his residency at
In the ER, anything can mese, Somali, Tagalog, and
Thomas Jefferson Uni- Chuukese. On rare occa-
versity in Philadelphia, come through the door,
and often does. We need sions, I’ve even had patients
he returned to the
Pacific Northwest in to quickly figure out if it’s who speak a language I’ve
2012. Chris now lives dangerous. Is the patient never even heard of! Some-
in Portland with his
having heartburn or a heart how, our interpreter services
wife, ATA member and
German>English trans- attack? Is this abdominal pain from almost always come through with some-
lator Melissa Kostelecky, constipation or a ruptured appendix? one fluent in that language.
and their two adorably Is this patient’s shortness of breath from But it’s not enough to just be fluent in
mischievous toddlers. asthma … or COVID-19? the language. Medical interpreting
We live in an age of amazing medical requires knowledge of very specialized
technology. We have a myriad of lab vocabulary. We try to use layman’s terms
tests and imaging studies that can help whenever possible so our patients can
us get to a diagnosis. But the truth is that understand us. But in medicine, there’s
by far the best tool we have to reach sometimes no escaping the technical
a diagnosis is still the conversation we terminology. Whether it’s figuring out
have with our patients. Within a few a patient’s chronic medical conditions
minutes of talking to a patient, we can or what medications a patient is taking,
narrow the patient’s condition down to or explaining a new diagnosis and the
just a handful of possible diagnoses and treatment they’ll need, medicine re-
target our tests to get to the truth as soon quires precision. Any information lost
as possible. In the ER, minutes can make in translation could delay care at best or
the difference between life or death. could be dangerous at worst.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202018 Of course, using a medical interpreter precautions, and every staff member is
takes extra time. The entire conversation in full PPE.
gets repeated in both the native language The patient worsens despite the oxygen
and English. Nurses and doctors might we’re giving her. The only way to save
be tempted to try to forgo interpreting. her will be to put her on a ventilator. But
A patient may have very limited English this can be painful, and she might never
skills, or the patient may request to have come off it. For some people, this is too
a family member who speaks English in- aggressive, and they would never want
terpret, even though they don’t have the to be on life support. It’s an incredibly
formal training of an interpreter. Studies important discussion about the patient’s
have shown that using someone other fundamental values and hopes, about
than a medical interpreter inevitably life and death. Without the interpreter,
leads to information being lost in trans- we couldn’t have such a frank and dif-
lation, and that leads to more medical ficult conversation, and couldn’t know
errors. and respect this patient’s wishes.
On this day, I call up our language After a discussion, the patient decides
service, and soon have a Ukrainian to be put on the ventilator. Soon, she’s
interpreter on the line. With their help, sedated and breathing comfortably with
we quickly gather the necessary infor- the help of a machine, and on her way
mation. She doesn’t have a history of to the ICU. She has a long road ahead
asthma or other lung disease to explain of her, and the interpreter will help us
her symptoms. Her cough and fever repeatedly over the coming days or
started a week ago, and the shortness weeks, explaining the patient’s progress
of breath worsened each day since. She to worried family members. We’ll also
hasn’t been reliably wearing a mask need the interpreter for all patients still
in the community. With the info we’ve to come during the pandemic. Their
gathered through the interpreter, we’ll work is far from done. Without a doubt,
have to assume this is COVID-19 until they’re among our country’s essential
testing proves otherwise. We take full workers.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202019 Learning in Real Time
By Pavitra Baxi
Unprecedented—a word that clearly Such work often came with tight dead-
and completely describes the year 2020. lines and I wanted to be prepared, if and
The past seven months have been unlike when the onslaught of work began. This
anything we’ve experienced; the virus not only broadened my knowledge base,
has brought about changes in the way but also deepened my understanding of
we work, the way we live, even the way medical translation. Until now, a major
we breathe! portion of my CPD for medical trans-
lation was focused on human anatomy
This year has also seen us come together
and clinical trials.
even closer as a community. With work
Pavitra Baxi is a free-
lance translator based drying up for a majority of us, members As the virus spread across the globe,
in Bengaluru, India. Her of professional organizations such as COVID-19 terminology started ex-
working languages are ATA and ITI have lent a helping hand panding at a rapid pace. Regional
German and English. to those hard-pressed for work; ensured influences on COVID-19 terminology
She provides translation
that we’re adequately represented as became more evident as governments
services for the engi-
neering, medical, and IT a profession; given us access to free put in place their own vocabulary for
sectors. A mechanical webinars and resources to keep up with public health and safety measures. This
engineer by qualifica- the rapidly evolving terminology; and meant I needed to be even more up-to-
tion, she developed helped us achieve our CPD goals. date on COVID-19 news, not only in
software solutions for
my country, but also in the US and the
the automotive and con- I got my first COVID-19 translation
UK. It helped that dependable sources
struction engineering project in February 2020: COVID-19
sectors before turning to such as NewScientist, the Economist,
guidelines for hospitals. I remember
full-time translation. Her Scientific American, and several other
website is
having spent more than a few anxious
journals made their COVID-19 content
pavitrabaxi.com hours trying to figure out the contextu-
free to non-subscribers.
and you can contact ally relevant translation of Tröpfchen.
her at pavitra@ Should it be translated as drops, drop- My other go-to places for terminol-
pavitrabaxi.com. lets, or aerosol particles? Since this was ogy research were the subject and
the primary mode of virus transmission, language-specific groups of ATA and
getting it right, contextually, was import- ITI: a treasure-trove of information for
ant. Extensive online research led me translators. A particularly interesting
to understand the distinction between discussion was on the past and present
respiratory droplets and aerosol parti- usage of the words lockdown and social
cles, and how the size of the droplets distancing.
and proximity of the infected person to Another interesting discussion in one
others changed this classification. of the Duden forums was whether the
My workload having dropped substan- word virus is masculine, feminine or
tially, I was left with considerable spare neutral. A discussion in the French
time. I decided to read up on epidemics, language network gave an interesting
viruses, and public health. The possi- perspective and the official stand on the
bility of translating COVID-19-related virus’s gender.
guidelines and memos was quite high.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202020 Most of the countries that imposed uncertainty? It’s still too early to get
lockdown measures in mid-March had definitive answers. The disconcerting
begun to gradually ease their restrictions feeling of knowing too much is as bad as
by May. The workforce was returning knowing too little. For the sake of my san-
to their offices, and along with this, ity and any future translation projects, I
the nature of my work changed, too. completed a course offered by Coursera
Several office memos arrived in my titled Understanding Medical Research.
inbox for translation: rules on social It came highly recommended by a fel-
distancing; work-from-home support for low medical translator.
employees; conduct during conferences Rarely has my professional work influ-
and meetings. An interesting project in- enced my day-to-day activities to such
volved translating laboratory guidelines an extent. I was fortunate to have access
for handling infectious material. The to reliable information because of the
regulations were more stringent in this amount of research I had to do for my
regard. translations. My work as a medical trans-
The constant barrage of information lator helped me understand the disease
related to COVID-19 has left us all better and the importance of measures
mentally exhausted. The virus has not such as social distancing, use of masks,
only overwhelmed the general public, and reducing non-essential travel. It also
but also the scientific community. Will kept me abreast with the COVID-19
a COVID-19 vaccine end our misery? research and development. Learning in
Is there a magic pill that’ll end this real time is what I’m doing now.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202021 A Front-Row Seat to the Pandemic or: How COVID-19
Pushed Me to Return to My Roots as a Virologist
By Geoff Chase
In 2006, I began graduate studies in the in the lab for new COVID-19 projects,
field of virology, with visions of jetting because until two months ago, there
across the globe and chasing infectious had been no such thing as COVID-19.
pathogens, somewhat akin to Laurence So in typical German fashion, a rapid
Fishburne in Contagion. response to a national emergency first
In 2010, I left the field of virology, having meant securing funding, which in turn
worked day and night for four years to meant writing a grant proposal. And
Dr. Geoff Chase secure a PhD and a decent publication with everyone else in the lab busy
completed a PhD in vi- by the skin of my teeth, and realizing re-tooling for the impending coronavi-
rology at the University that I was looking at another four years rus onslaught, nobody had the time to
of Freiburg in Germany.
of this lifestyle to have any chance of a
After several more years write 30 pages of English scientific copy
in research, he became tenure-track position in an oversaturated
in four days.
a full-time scientific field.
translator and writer and
currently collaborates In 2020, the field of virology decided My concerns about being out of the field
with numerous small- to it didn’t care about my prior career for so long were assuaged with assur-
mid-size pharmaceutical choices. ances that the coordinating professors
companies as well as would provide me with the contents of
academic institutions. It started with an unexpected phone call
the grant, and my only job would be to
He currently resides from my former PhD advisor in early
in Freiburg. March of this year. At that point, the convey those ideas in a coherent man-
COVID-19 outbreak hadn’t even started ner. That ended the moment I showed up
in earnest in Italy yet, and there were only in my former lab for our first meeting. A
a few scattered reports of cases here in pre-symptomatic case of COVID-19 had
Germany. But a cluster of cases had just slipped through the Freiburg University
been discovered in Freiburg, jolting the Hospital’s testing screen. That single pa-
local healthcare system’s collective eyes tient had managed to silently infect 30
open. Suddenly, there was an all-hands- hospital employees in the course of two
on-deck effort to prepare for a potential days. Now nobody had time to discuss
wave of COVID-19 patients and extra the grant proposal in detail: everybody
manpower was required. My former
was involved in helping the hospital
lab had been tasked with developing a
stem their outbreak and enact measures
new type of test for the infection. Could
to prevent a new one.
I help out?
I hadn’t stood in a lab for ten years by And that’s how I went from not having
that point, so my honest answer was that thought seriously about virology for
I didn’t think I could. But there was one ten years to designing a detailed work
thing I was capable of: scientific writing. package of laboratory experiments on
As it turned out, there was no funding SARS-CoV-2 within one week.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202022 The proposal went through within a Many of us entered translation mid-ca-
week. Soon, I was approached by anoth- reer following an initial specialization in
er group in the department for the same another field, and we market ourselves
task and given a desk in the building. as technical specialists. Our value
The irony of working from home for nine comes from our expertise in our fields
years only to switch to working in an that can only be gained by hands-on
office during a time when everyone else experience. In spite of some lingering
was working from home was not lost indifference to my former field, suddenly
on me! Thanks to the close-knit nature being back in my old workplace as a full
of Germany’s virology network, word team member, even if only briefly, has
spread about an English-speaking former greatly recharged and rejuvenated the
virologist scientific translator/writer. My scientist half of the “scientific translator”
COVID-related workload quickly grew equation.
as exponentially as the rise in COVID It’s obviously not feasible for most of
cases itself: I was suddenly deluged with us to simply jump back into a highly
requests by biotech companies, public technical job for a few months or on a
health authorities, scientific publishers, part-time basis in order to stay current
and more. After a solid month of work- in our field of specialization. But having
ing on COVID-related projects without a the opportunity to do so has not only
day off, I wasn’t even sure I had actually reignited my interest in my subject
taken a ten-year hiatus from the field! matter, but also provided a new set of
As the threat of the virus waned in professional connections. And while
Germany, so did my workload. I’m my contribution to the response to the
now mostly back to my old routine of pandemic was certainly a tiny one, my
white papers and health technology front-row seat at the most dynamic point
assessments. But my month and a half of of the pandemic in Germany was an
being “back at the old job” did teach me experience I won’t soon forget.
another important lesson.
nter
eraaktiv 2/202023 Upside Down and Inside Out:
Thoughts on Surviving and Thriving in Quarantine
By Elani Wales
When COVID-19 hit, I had spent the just the key to my newfound productiv-
last several months living in Mexico. ity and focus; it’s my favorite part of the
Between free diving in cenotes, brush- day as well.
ing up on my Spanish, and devouring
I begin by checking my email, since I
endless street tacos, it was a good time.
have clients in other time zones. After
These days, it feels funny to look back
that, it’s time to make a cup of tea and
and remember that we didn’t know how
roll out my yoga mat. (How on Earth
Elani Wales is ATA-cer- bad it was going to get. As late as March,
I was making plans to house-sit in Ger- would we get through COVID-19
tified in German to
English translation and many, still thinking the chaos could be without Yoga with Adriene?) After yoga,
specializes in legal texts contained. I meditate. I round out my self-care by
and business commu- washing my face and glasses, and then
nication. She firmly Reality finally hit when the global Level I’m truly focused and ready for the rest
believes that everything 4 travel advisory was issued. It was too of my day.
can be made better with
severe of a sign to be ignored, and my
a good book. Elani’s
writing can be found at husband and I decided to come home Having the structure and support of a
elaniwales.com/blog. to the Pacific Northwest while we still morning routine helped me to find other
could. We dropped everything, from solutions, too. One of my quarantine
several weeks of pre-paid rent to our projects has been helping my husband
upcoming travel plans, and flew back learn German. He’s a brilliant martial
the very next day. artist, kiteboarder, and engineer, but the
language-learning tricks that I use for
The shock was numbing, and the worst
myself, like writing by hand to lock in
part was that my workflow suffered as
new words kinetically, don’t really work
well. At exactly the time I had the least
creative energy to market myself and for him. It was time for a new solution,
keep my business evolving, I was expe- and it took the mental space my morning
riencing the worst dry spell of my career. routine gave me to find it.
At first, I was too shocked to enjoy the Writing wasn’t the solution, but a kinet-
gift of time that I had been given, but ic approach was. I began holding our
thanks to getting the right advice at the German lessons while going on walks. If
right time, things gradually started to get you think it’s difficult to teach your sec-
better. ond language to a beginner while also
Said advice came from Laurie San- walking, you’re correct. However, the
tos, Yale professor and presenter of results were immediate and impressive.
The Science of Well-Being. I took her Lessons were much more fun for both of
Coursera course on a recommendation us, and his recall was excellent. I never
from a friend, and it was exactly what I would have guessed that something that
needed. Thanks to the course, I started could be seen as a distraction would be
to develop a morning routine. It’s not so effective.
nter
eraaktiv 2/2020You can also read
