Ukraine war
TV interpreter bursts into tears while translating Zelenskyi’s speech
© Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images
She comes from Ukraine herself and was overwhelmed by her feelings: an interpreter for the Welt television station could no longer hold back her tears at work.
The war in Ukraine is also affecting many people in this country – especially if they come from Ukraine or Russia. How much a Ukrainian interpreter is touched by the terrible events in her home country was shown in a speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During the live translation of a statement by the President for the Welt television channel, the woman lost her composure, paused briefly and apologized in a voice choked with tears. In the speech, Zelenskyi again condemned Russia’s war of aggression and demanded that Russia lose its right of veto in the UN Security Council. In addition, the President addressed his compatriots with emotional words: “Ukrainians, we know exactly what we are defending.”
Much support for interpreter from Ukraine
Later, when many people had already seen the excerpt on Twitter and expressed their solidarity, the translator herself spoke up on Twitter. “I’m a conference interpreter, interpreting ten-hour peace talks,” she wrote. “But today I couldn’t finish translating Zelenskyj live on German television, I burst into tears at his last words.” She addressed the words to her compatriots: “I love you all, my fellow Ukrainians.”
It was viewed millions of times on Twitter, and many users sent supportive messages to the interpreter. “The apology is unnecessary,” wrote one user. “The interpreters who currently have to manage all this are only human,” recalled another user. Even international media reported on the incident. The interpreter thanked Twitter for the support: “I’m overwhelmed.”
Swell: @lcijni on Twitter / @kat67840280 on Twitter
This article is originally at STERN.de published.