My name is Diana Nisterenková –Chester and I chose not to use any photo of me, as it does not describe my true self. Instead I made a word cloud, as it is a much better way of capturing in essence who and what I am. I get called some of those names but in fact I am a qualified bona fide linguist and have an equivalent of MA Honours Degree in the UK from English and French. Please see the links below with regard to professional associations for interpreters and translators I am affiliated to.

Actually, the University that awarded me my Degree did revert to its original name of Masaryk University after 1990 and the country where I gained my Degree ceased to exist in 1993. It is irrelevant now as I still have the knowledge and the appropriate qualification even though I have to admit is a good starting conversational point.

How did I become an interpreter?

Well, believe it or not I became an interpreter” by default “. Many moons ago I worked over the summer holidays as a receptionist during the International Festival of Short Films in my hometown. I was spotted by professional conference interpreters and was thus taken under their wing. It was a great privilege as I was allowed to shadow them and learned directly from the best. I was instantly hooked and started my journey of an obsession with words and their many shapes, ever -changing personalities and disguises. Over the years I have worked in many unusual places and met some very interesting people and it has made me the person I am today. I worked mostly as an interpreter in various government institutions, international gatherings, in the military, the arts, film industries, mines, and factory outlets…well, I got the badge!

I came to the United Kingdom in 1990 and settled in the heart of  “ Geordie-land” and I call it my home. I established myself as a freelance interpreter and translator and since then I have worked in international, legal, medical and government institution settings.

I am passionate about languages and their building blocks – the words, how the words are formed and combined together in bigger picture. I am puzzled and fascinated by their ever- changing shapes, various multiple and mille-feuille like layers intricately laid one upon the other in order to disguise their basic essence. I enjoy and get a great satisfaction in unravelling and grasping the meaning hidden deep inside. Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein, 1889-1951,who is one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century once said:

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”

The ITI Conference is giving an ample opportunity to all of us to enlarge the limits of our worlds. It is definitely not going to disappoint. Even though only for a short time there will be a sanctuary where I will not feel like a fish out of water. Looking at the proposed list of talks and lectures it is clear that we will have at our fingertips the latest new advances in the world of Interpreting and Translating and a chance to meet the crème de la crème of the profession. Of course, I have to say that being amongst so many fellow colleagues will give me ample opportunities to do what I am best at: talking. I am looking forward to have a proper meaningful communication of my own for a change, exchange ideas, learn from each other.

Our industry is at the present moment undergoing many changes and facing many challenges. At this point it is apt to mention The Venerable Bede (673- 735)- skilled linguist and translator and a monk from nearby monasteries Monkwearmouth –Jarrow.  He would be proud to see his old Kingdom of Northumbria being again a place of rejuvenation, regeneration and rebirth as it was once during his turbulent time, (just this time of translation and interpretation.)

Thank you for taking time to read and I am looking forward to meet you all on my home turf.

JTP Union of Translators and Interpreters

SAPT Slovak Association of Translators and Interpreters  http://www.sapt.sk/en