Diplomatic interpretation is about reading nuances of world leaders: Gurdeep Chawla

An ace interpreter with a track record of over 28 years, she is involved in articulating messages of the Heads of State in different languages.

"Interpreting word for word, without understanding the nuances of the speeches of world leaders, is no justice to the work. Diplomatic interpretations go beyond the language, it is also about reading the body language, facial expressions, pauses, and sarcasm of the speaker. As interpreters, we also need to brush up our knowledge of world affairs to understand the context of the conversation," she told The Tribune at her alma mater, Guru Nanak Public School, in the city.

Chawla also dismissed claims of artificial intelligence (AI) taking over the job of interpretation. "AI cannot pick up the sarcasm or predict the next line of world leaders. Only a human can do it, that too after years of practice and perseverance," she added.

She is in India as part of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s official visit.

She began her career with the Lok Sabha in the 90s. Later, she built Indian Languages Services LLC in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hailing from Delhi, Chawla has also worked at international forums such as the UN, G20 Summit, the Conference on Climate Change, the ASEAN, and the US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. She has worked closely with Canadian prime ministers Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau and most recently Mark Carney.

She has also interpreted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and late former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj.

"I feel proud when Indian leaders appreciate my work on foreign soil. I remember Madam Sushma Swaraj once said, "ye meri awaz hai" (she is my voice), pointing to me, after I interpreted for her at the United Nations. Similarly, PM Modi told Barack Obama that "she is from my Parliament". He was referring to my roots and my beginnings from the Lok Sabha," she says with a smile.

In 2014, when Modi delivered his first address at the United Nations General Assembly, the camera was fixed firmly on him. But the global broadcast carried Chawla's English interpretation. World leaders, diplomats and international media heard her voice rendering his Hindi into English in real time. That interpretation now sits permanently in the UN archives.

Asked about her tips to those emulating her path, she said interpreters have to get under the skin of the speaker, and think outside the box, to get the grammar of interpretation right.