I’m sure you remember the conversation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Selenskyi in the Oval Office. The Ukrainian president appeared without an interpreter, although English is not his mother tongue. Could the scandal have been avoided if an interpreter had been present, perhaps to act as a buffer?

Not necessarily, and for a very simple reason: In the Trump administration, they were simply out for blood, and they would have achieved their goal even with an interpreter present. Perhaps the question about the suit would not have been asked because the surprise effect would have been gone – but when the “Did you ever say thank you” show started, the result would have been the same.

What’s more, you are less quick-witted when using an interpreter. Do you still remember how the French president cut Mr Trump off short when he was talking too much nonsense? He simply interrupted him! That would not have been possible in an interpreting scenario.

This does not mean that it is a good idea to attend an important meeting or court hearing without an interpreter just because you have a reasonable command of the language of the country. Many of our customers like to take an interpreter with them to be on the safe side, who can step in when things get dicey and otherwise remain silent. Simply because then you feel more confident and can ask the interpreter to jump in at any time if you do not understand a statement. Or if you want to create the impression that you did not understand it…