The Interpreter's Journal - Stories from a Thai and Lao Interpreter

Winner of the 2011 Asian Book Publishing Award for Best Book/Best Writer You will be surprised how much you can learn about Thailand, Thai culture, Thai history, Thai and Lao people in America and Thai-Western relationship from this book. In her book The Interpreter s Journal, Benjawan reveals the story of her experience as a professional Thai and Lao interpreter, graphically showing how she works in legal settings including courtrooms and jails. Find out what happens when individuals who don t speak the language end up in criminal, civil and family courts. But this story is also a personal one, relating the author s journey from humble beginnings in rural Thailand to become a professional interpreter in the San Francisco Bay area. The responsibilities and importance of interpreters has increased so dramatically that they are now indispensable to many agencies and institutions such as law enforcement, judicial systems, social services, hospitals, and schools. Gone are the days when everyone around you spoke the same language. Learn how interpreters work, the challenges they face and how to work with them by following the author s very personal journey starting in the Land of Smiles. See how the influence of her family, Thai culture, Buddhism, meeting foreigners in Thailand, traveling abroad and living in the United States formed the catalyst for the author to master several languages, become a professional interpreter and write numerous books on learning the Thai and Lao languages. This book is an entertaining and informative read for legal professionals, those who work with interpreters, expats living in Thailand and Laos or anybody who simply enjoys a good read.