The Art of Translation and Applying Language Skills to Life: Rahdne Zola

By Terese Caiazza

Speaker Rahdne Zola with the French Club Executive Board

This past week, L’Alliance Des Amis Français (French Club) and the World Languages and Cultures Department had the pleasure of welcoming back Fredonia alumni Rahdne Zola.  On Tuesday April 28th, 2015, Zola visited campus to present on translation and the way in which he has been using his passion and higher education in French to move on to a successful and inspiring occupation.

As a Fredonia student, Zola was involved in L’Alliance Des Amis Français, and he and his peers were the ones to give the club that name after it’s former name, French Club. After graduating from Fredonia in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in French, Rahdne Zola went abroad to France. Then, graduate school at University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee earned him a Masters degree in French translation. Zola is now a freelance translator with his own translation and language service out of Buffalo, NY, Lexemes, and has been working in translation now for over ten years.

During his presentation, Zola gave his audience an overview of his education and his experience with translation. He even passed out printed examples of some of his work, comparing it to the original French text as well as the work of another translator.  He engaged with his audience by enlisting help to read the text and translations. This was an extremely effective way of letting his viewers see different interpretations by various translators as well as demonstrating translation work and dedication applied. Zola offered some wisdom from the world of translation, saying that the best translators translate into their native language. This means that he, as a native English speaker, employs his knowledge of French to decipher text and convey the same messages to the best of his ability in English. Zola answered many questions from the audience, including one about the difference between translation and interpretation. Zola explains that (not discouraging anyone from pursuing either or both) he feels either job takes a specific kind of person, and that one person is rarely skilled at both. Translation is a more isolated and private profession. Because it involves translation of text, it can be done from almost anywhere and it can be taken at a slower pace. Interpretation is a very quick and in-the-moment kind of job, where you have to be on location and ready, making sure you are conveying the right messages at the right pace, listening and immediately reciprocating. Zola covers both modes of interpretation, explaining that “simultaneous interpretation” usually involves being in a booth with a microphone and being expected to keep up with the speaker. “Consecutive interpretation” happens when the speaker pauses every so often to allow the interpreter to step in.

Beyond it’s extremely informative and engaging structure, Rahdne Zola’s talk served an even more important purpose to his language-loving audience. Often in the field of foreign language study, students are questioned about their intended professions and presumed struggle for success. There is a common misconception that it’s hard to pursue careers involving foreign language, when in reality, the possibilities are almost endless. Rahdne Zola is a real life example of someone who was able to turn his specific love of French into a career for himself that he builds his life around and enjoys doing every day is something that was heartening for everyone to see. From Fredonia, to France, to Wisconsin, to Buffalo, Rahdne Zola has used his French translation expertise to make a difference, and now has undoubtedly inspired those who were there to see him, to do the same.