Interpreting at gamescom

On 27 August, I had the privilege of providing interpreting services at gamescom, the world’s largest event for computer and video games and the most important business platform for the international games industry. I was particularly pleased to work at the opening of the gamescom congress at the Confex centre at koelnmesse. The gamescom congress is the world’s leading conference on the potential of games in a digitalised world, with connections reaching far beyond the digital and media sectors.

This year was particularly significant, as Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered the opening address, becoming the first German head of state to visit gamescom. His presence shows just how much the perspective on games has changed: they are no longer merely entertainment, but also encompass culture, education, innovation and social discourse. Following his speech, Mr Steinmeier joined a panel discussion on the role of games in democracy. For the international audience, English translation was delivered by yours truly!

For me, it was particularly exciting to work at precisely this interface. When different perspectives, languages and specialist fields come together, it is crucial to convey the content precisely, immediately and with the right tone of voice.

Because at events like these, it is vital to grasp the content, nuances and subtleties in a fraction of a second, whilst at the same time maintaining the dynamic flow of the conversation.