Erja Tenhonen-Lightfoot
Humanist of the day

Erja Tenhonen-Lightfoot

Erja Tenhonen-Lightfoot is a university teacher of interpretation. She has worked for many years in all the various fields of interpreting, in particular as a conference interpreter. Tenhonen enjoys seeing students embrace good working methods for interpreting and then succeeding in their careers. She sees not only risks but also many possibilities in machine translation and interpreting.

Erja Tenhonen-Lightfoot

Erja Aulikki Tenhonen-Lightfoot
Born 8.12.1960, Tohmajärvi

Näyttötutkintomestari (Course for those working with competence-based qualifications) 2011, Hame University of Applied Sciences
Conference interpreter 1997, University of Turku
Licentiate (applied linguistics) 1993, University of Vaasa
Master of Arts (translation and interpreting) 1988, University of Joensuu

University teacher of interpretation 2011–, University of Helsinki
Part-time teacher of interpreting and translation 1997–2011, University of Helsinki
Chief examiner of competence-based qualifications for community interpreters 2010–, Amiedu/ Tampere Adult Education Centre
Lecturer of interpretation 2003–06, University of Helsinki/ Palmenia
Coordinator of the project Passiivisuomi 1995–96, University of Helsinki/ Vantaa Institute for Continuing Education
Project researcher in applied linguistics 1990–92, Academy of Finland/ University of Vaasa

Entrepreneur 2002–, Sanas interpreting services
Freelance legal interpreter in district courts and courts of appeal 2002–
Entrepreneur and coordinating interpreter 1998–2002, Cross Border Communications Oy
Freelance conference interpreter in every organ of the EU

Photo: Johanna Hirvonen
Written by Tomas Sjöblom
Translated by Matthew Billington

The Expanding need for interpreting

In Summer 2015, there were over a hundred languages spoken in Helsinki. Erja Tenhonen-Lightfoot says the need for interpreting is expanding all the time. Based on the situation, interpreting can be divided in four categories: community interpreting, court interpreting, conference interpreting, and negotiation interpreting.

“I have worked in all of…

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The higher mathematics of conference interpreting

Conference interpreting is often the most visible form of interpreting. It is often connected with the activities of large international organisations, such as the EU or the UN. Erja Tenhonen-Lightfoot says one of the most important skills of a conference interpreter is being able to anticipate what subjects will be touched upon in a session.

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My dream

"I love my teaching duties; they are really enjoyable and rewarding. It's a joy to see how my students learn correct working habits, understand the importance of professional ethics and prosper in their working life. I absolutely want to continue teaching."

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