Les Interprètes

Chapter 3

Qiao Fei

Summary: Qiao Fei talks about her foreign languages degree and talks about how she only wanted to become an interpreter for a stable, well-paid job, and so she didn’t have to learn math (saame). She said that she feels that interpreters are only mouthpieces and that language is only a tool, which makes people tools also. BUT, it was Cheng Jia Yang who made her change her outlook on translating. And she thinks about that fateful day, the day when he would never forget her. (cheesy if I ever heard it)

So， in the next excerpt, Qiao Fei and her classmates are all working with Cheng Jia Yang.

Every person all had many “First times”. This was my first time being an interpreter. My whole body was sweaty. I felt that this job could absolutely fend off the cold for 39 days　(haha, but she’s basically saying that she felt so hot and sweaty that she could survive out in the cold for 39 days)

French people could be counted as bold, as they paid people on the scene. I not worked for 30 minutes yet, and I had already received 300 yuan. Looking at Cheng Jia Yang’s hand’s envelope in his hand, a small thick stack, he said to me, “I’ll treat you to some food.”

Four of us, sat in Cheng Jia Yang’s German car to go to a very famous seafood restaurant in town. When it was my turn to order, I asked for some of the best salmon, a taste that I missed and coveted dearly. It was 388 yuan per dish. I had somewhat of a weird idea, If this rich brother wants to treat us, then let him spend money.

After everyone had ordered, I tapped on the waitress again, and said, “If I could  also have a serving of potato braised eggplant, like that potato and tomato dish. Smashed until it’s pulpy, and put on part of an onion.” Tranzgeek: I have never heard of this.

“I am from the Northeast.” I said to the laughing Cheng Jia Yang.

“Yeah, yeah.” A male classmate said, “She eats onions raw.”

The waitress had a stubborn temper and said to me, “Sorry miss, this is a specialty seafood restaurant.”

“Please,” Cheng Jia Yang said to that waitress, “Tomatoes and potatoes, which shop doesn’t have this? I’ll talk to the boss.”

The woman’s face reddened and she elegantly walked away.

Summary: In any case, she seems to be convinced (of being an interpreter) by the conversation she and Cheng Jia Yang have during the meal which goes like this:

“I feel that your translating reaction is very fast.”

“Really? Thanks.”

“In the future, are you planning to be an interpreter?”

“I originally was not, but since you have looked well upon my performance today, I will consider it.” I pointed to his envelope full of the money that he had just made, “Brother, is the income okay?”

Everyone looked at Cheng Jia Yang’s open envelope. Like the French, he took each bill and put them one by one on the table, “Two hours, 4000 yuan.”

“Wow,” I said. To the others, I said, “Everyone work harder.”

They all nodded their heads fiercely.