In 1956, during a diplomatic reception in Moscow, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev told Western Bloc ambassadors, "My vas pokhoronim!"
1956年，赫鲁晓夫在莫斯科接见西方诸国大使时如此说道："My vas pokhoronim！"
His interpreter rendered that into English as, "We will bury you!"
译员把这句话翻译成“我要埋葬你们！”
This statement sent shockwaves through the Western world,
这句话引起西方世界的一片哗然，
heightening the tension between the Soviet Union and the US who were in the thick of the Cold War.
美俄本就处在冷战白热化阶段，如此一来局势更为紧张。
Some believe this incident alone set East/West relations back a decade.
有人认为仅此次事件就让美俄关系倒退10年。
As it turns out, Khrushchev's remark was translated a bit too literally.
后来人们发现，这句话的翻译太拘泥于原文。
Given the context, his words should have been rendered as, "We will live to see you buried,"
结合上下文，这句话应该译成“我们会亲眼看着你们被埋葬”，
meaning that Communism would outlast Capitalism, a less threatening comment.
意思是共产主义会比资本主义长久，这样一来威胁意味就没有那么强烈。
Though the intended meaning was eventually clarified,
虽然赫鲁晓夫这句话的本意最终得以澄清，
the initial impact of Khrushchev's apparent words put the world on a path that could have led to nuclear armageddon.
但最初字面意思所造成的影响，险些导致世界核武器大决战。
So now, given the complexities of language and cultural exchange, how does this sort of thing not happen all the time?
既然语言和文化交流如此复杂，那为何此类事件没有经常发生？
Much of the answer lies with the skill and training of interpreters to overcome language barriers.
答案在于译员经受训练并运用技巧克服语言障碍。
For most of history, interpretation was mainly done consecutively,
古往今来，翻译是以交替传译为主，
with speakers and interpreters making pauses to allow each other to speak.
演讲者和译员时不时停下来让对方发言。
But after the advent of radio technology, a new simultaneous interpretations system was developed in the wake of World War II.
无线电技术诞生后，前所未有的同传体系在二战中建立起来。
In the simultaneous mode interpreters instantaneously translate a speaker's words into a microphone while he speaks without pauses.
在同传模式下，译员在不打断演讲者发言的情况下，对着话筒进行实时翻译。
Those in the audience can choose the language in which they want to follow.
观众可以选择收听的译入语。
On the surface, it all looks seamless, but behind the scenes,
在台上，一切都无比顺畅，但在幕后，
human interpreters work incessantly to ensure every idea gets across as intended.
译员们口笔不停确保所有信息翻译到位。
And that is no easy task.
而这并非易事。

It takes about two years of training for already fluent bilingual professionals to expand their vocabulary
即使是双语运用自如的专业人士，也要花上两年的时间扩展词汇，
and master the skills necessary to become a conference interpreter.
掌握必备技巧，方能成为大会口语员。
To get used to the unnatural task of speaking while they listen,
为了习惯这项边听边说的非常任务，
students shadow speakers and repeat their every word exactly as heard in the same language.
学生先是跟读，将演讲者的话一字不差的复述出来。
In time, they begin to paraphrase what is said, making stylistic adjustments as they go.
一段时间之后，开始转述讲话内容，转述时会适当调整文体。
At some point, a second language is introduced.
到了一定时候引入第二种语言。
Practicing in this way creates new neural pathways in the interpreter's brain,
如此练习会让译员大脑中形成新的神经通路，
and the constant effort of reformulation gradually becomes second nature.
重新组织语言表达渐渐成为第二天性。
Over time and through much hard work, the interpreter masters a vast array of tricks to keep up with speed,
经过日复一日的勤学苦练，译员掌握了如何跟上发言人语速，
deal with challenging terminology, and handle a multitude of foreign accents.
处理棘手的术语，应对形形色色的口音等一系列技巧。
They may resort to acronyms to shorten long names, choose generic terms over specific, or refer to slides and other visual aides.
他们可以采用缩写来简化过长的名字，用词宽泛避免太过具体，或者参考幻灯片及其视觉辅助物。
They can even leave a term in the original language, while they search for the most accurate equivalent.
他们甚至可以保留原词不做作翻译，直至找到最准确的对应词。
Interpreters are also skilled at keeping aplomb in the face of chaos.
译员也练就了泰山崩于顶而色不改的本领。
Remember, they have no control over who is going to say what, or how articulate the speaker will sound.
要知道，译员无法控制谁会说什么，或者是发言人吐字是否清晰。
A curveball can be thrown at any time.
意外随时可能发生。
Also, they often perform to thousands of people and in very intimidating settings, like the UN General Assembly.
他们常常要应对数干听众的大阵仗，比如联合国大会。
To keep their emotions in check, they carefully prepare for an assignment,
为保持情绪稳定，译员接到翻译任务后会精心准备，
building glossaries in advance, reading voraciously about the subject matter, and reviewing previous talks on the topic.
积累词汇，查阅大量相关资料，回顾以往相关发言。
Finally, interpreters work in pairs.
最后，译员都是两两搭档。
While one colleague is busy translating incoming speeches in real time,
一个人实时翻译发言内容，
the other gives support by locating documents, looking up words, and tracking down pertinent information.
另一个人提供支援，如查找文件，查阅单词，搜索相关信息。
Because simultaneous interpretation requires intense concentration, every 30 minutes, the pair switches roles.
同传要求译员精神高度集中，因而每三十分钟，两人角色互换。
Success is heavily dependent on skillful collaboration.
成功依靠的是默契配合。
Language is complex, and when abstract or nuanced concepts get lost in translation, the consequences may be catastrophic.
语言非常复杂，一旦抽象概念或细微差别的翻译不到位造成误解，后果不堪设想。
As Margaret Atwood famously noted, "War is what happens when language fails."
玛格丽特·阿特伍德有句名言，“语言的尽头便是战争的开端。”
Conference interpreters of all people are aware of that and work diligently behind the scenes to make sure it never does.
大会口译员对此更是深有体会，他们在幕后用心地工作，为的是不让玛格丽特一语成谶。