Where do you put the emphasis?

Can accuracy in interpreting go too far?

One of the most pervasive and persuasive myths about interpreting is that it is first and foremost about accuracy. We spend hours on term lists, years on technique, and days on practice. We perfect our phrasing, hone our field knowledge, and pore over bilingual files. We strive for the highest accuracy possible. But our view of accuracy is often wrong.

Accuracy vs. usefulness

You might recognise this drawing from a much earlier post.

In that post, I emphasised that we need to remember that we are about much more than accuracy. We need effectiveness. Let me tell you a story to explain why.