Yellowknife (May 26/06) - Differences in languages can be a barrier between people, but interpreters work hard to insure those challenges are overcome.

Three such interpreters, Joe Tambour, Elizabeth Hardisty and Philip Constant, could be found at the Joint Review Panel hearings as they travelled around the Deh Cho.

Joe Tambour, left, Elizabeth Hardisty and Philip Constant worked as translators for the JRP hearings in the Deh Cho. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Sitting behind a clear box with a sign telling people to speak slowly, they worked to insure the hearings could be understood by both English and South Slavey speakers alike.

Translating is challenging because you have to listen, think and speak at the same time, Constant said.

"You have to think really fast," Constant added.

The technical terms at the hearings were difficult to translate. Some words were kept in English. This helped shorten the translation because it takes longer to repeat a sentence in Slavey, Constant said. Another problem encountered were fast talkers. Presenters often speak too fast because they get excited and know they only have a short amount of time, said Joe Tambour from the Hay River Reserve.

If someone is speaking too fast, the translators have to get the attention of the chair of the panel who then asks the presenter to slow down.

Translating offers the chance to learn a lot of different things, Tambour said. You learn about culture, tradition, values and respect. You also learn to be approachable and look a person in the eye, Tambour said.

Every translator has his or her own method and Tambour helps keep his focus by watching the person who is speaking.

Translating also has other perks. For Constant, getting to fly into different communities in the Deh Cho was a great bonus during the JRP hearings.

"It's lots of fun," he said.

Constant, from Fort Providence, is the odd one out from the group because he took formal training for translation. He received his diploma in 1993 from a two-year interpreter translator program offered by Aurora College in Fort Smith.

"I like working with my language. It's kind of important to me," Constant said, explaining why he decided to get into translating.

Translating is also like an ongoing learning process because you learn new words and new things, he said.

Elizabeth Hardisty from Fort Simpson has been translating since she was in high school.

"I translate to educate," Hardisty said.

She sees her role as educating the population who use Slavey as their first language.

Translating is a great way to maintain the language while getting to meet new people and see old friends in the communities, Hardisty said.