LOST IN LANGUAGE: MY INTERNSHIP ADVENTURE WITH MAINKATA
The Independent Campus Competition Program - Independent Learning Independent Campus (PKKM-MBKM) at Universitas Airlangga's Faculty of Humanities offers a fantastic opportunity for students in the English Language and Literature study program. This program allows them to engage in internships with various partner companies on campus. One such exciting collaboration involves MainKata Translation Studio, a company specializing in language and translation services.
For a span of 4 months, from September 18, 2023, to December 28, 2023, students had the chance to immerse themselves in an enriching internship experience. The hands-on learning took place offline at the MainKata Translation Studio office in Sidoarjo. It offers hands-on experience in various aspects of these activities, allowing students to learn from the skilled and experienced staff at MainKata who are experts in the field. The goal of the internship is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle the challenges of the workforce in linguistics and translation.
During the 4-month internship, I, as the intern, had the chance to develop practical skills, expand my professional network, and gain a deep understanding of the translation industry. I learned to use in various translation-assisting software like SmartCAT and GlobalLink. I also delved into applications like Subtitle Edit for adding subtitles to videos and used Audacity for editing audio recordings from clients. Beyond that, I had the chance to translate diverse documents with different fonts tailored to specific client requirements. It became clear that understanding the context, purpose, and audience of the document is crucial, before embarking on a translation task. Factoring in cultural differences and local sensitivities also played a pivotal role in conveying the intended message effectively. This comprehensive approach ensured that the translated content resonated with the readers, offering a meaningful and accurate interpretation.
An intriguing aspect of my internship experience was delving into the realm of oral translation or interpreting. This involved tackling a variety of topics, ranging from education to government affairs. The practice occurred both online through the Zoom Meeting app and offline at event venues like hotels or churches. I even had the chance to participate in a unique office exercise where interns took turns interpreting for one minute each—an invaluable form of practice.
Furthermore, interns were entrusted with roles as staff responsible for maintaining interpreting equipment during external assignments. This responsibility became particularly evident during events such as the ILO gathering at Vasa Hotel and the National Christmas celebration at Bethany Nginden Church. These hands-on experiences added depth to my internship and broadened my understanding of the multifaceted world of translation and interpretation. In my experience, this internship provides valuable experiential learning for students passionate about linguistics and translation.
Just click the link to watch the YouTube short video Recap Internship at MainKata Translation Studio. Happy Watching!
