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Ka Yee Meck

Beyond The Routine: The Human Stories Behind Every Translation



As a professional translator, I’ve handled thousands of documents.


From degree certificates to marriage licenses, each one passes through my hands quickly and efficiently.


But every now and then, something catches my attention, reminding me of the deeper significance behind these pieces of paper.


Just the other day, I was assigned two translation jobs over two days: degree certificates for two different people. I noticed that both of them were from Bangladesh, and both had graduated from the same Chinese university on the exact same day.


I paused for a moment.


Could they have been friends?


Were they sitting next to each other at their graduation ceremony?


Then, an idea hit me: these two certificates – "boring" as they are – weren’t just documents.


They represented the culmination of five years of hard work in medical school, in a foreign country.


These two individuals, now in their 30s, were submitting their documents for ECMFG purposes, presumably to pursue careers in the US.


But behind that simple administrative process was a story – their story.


Perhaps they’re embarking on a new chapter of their lives, moving across the globe, possibly with their families. Maybe their children are starting school in a new country, or they’re preparing to dive into an entirely new professional landscape.


(I do have a bit of a habit of letting my imagination run away with me sometimes. 😂)


As I translated their documents, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that what may seem routine for me – I've translated over 1,000 of these certificates – actually represents a pivotal milestone in the lives of these individuals, perhaps even their families.


This isn’t just ink on paper; it’s the gateway to new opportunities, dreams, and aspirations.


It hit me that, as translators, we have the privilege of playing a small part in someone's life journey. We may never meet the individuals behind the documents, but we hold a responsibility to treat their stories with care and respect. A degree certificate, a birth certificate, or a medical license might seem like just another job, but for the person behind it, it represents something far more personal.


It’s a humbling reminder that while translation work can sometimes feel repetitive, each document carries a weight that deserves our utmost attention and respect.


The trust placed in us to handle these moments in someone's life is truly an honour.


So, the next time I sit down to translate a document, I’ll pause and think about the person behind it. About the years of effort, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the dreams they’re striving toward. Because in my hands, it isn’t just a document – it’s a piece of their story, and it deserves to be told with precision and care.


Have you ever had moments like this as a translator? Share in the comments below!

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