ANJA PESCHEL
Conference Interpreter and Business Coach
ANJA PESCHEL
Conference Interpreter and Business Coach
About me
I am a conference interpreter for English and German with 25 years’ experience, and have been managing Peschel Communications, a translation agency in Freiburg, for almost as long. As a business coach, I bring a wealth of experience from my different roles as service provider, manager, cultural mediator and parent to help you solve your work-related questions or conflicts.
Did you always want to be an interpreter?
I remember being glued to the radio as a child, fascinated by the sounds of different languages. Once I had learned to speak them I just loved the experience of being able to communicate in another language, exploring the subtle nuances that are different for each language. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to work with spoken communication, because listening and speaking are important aspects for me. So what better job could there be than one that allows me to use spoken language to help others communicate?
What surprised you in your job?
Oh, there are a few things: I did not expect that sitting in an interpreting booth all day is not just mentally, but also physically exhausting. There is little ventilation, hardly any room and your focus has to be 100 percent the whole time. But there are ways to deal with this. I almost always spend my breaks outdoors to get my oxygen levels back up.
Another surprising aspect that I am still fascinated with is the variety of subjects I encounter. As a conference interpreter, I prepare thoroughly for every conference, so I have accumulated knowledge about fields as varied as vaulting, LSD and artificial intelligence. I also love working with seemingly less exotic subject matters, such as renewable energies, pharmaceuticals or finance.
Simultaneous interpreting is said to be almost as stressful as flying a fighter jet. Is that true?
Well, fortunately in my line of work it’s not normally a question of life and death. But the pressure is incredibly high. Having to listen, translate and speak at the same time, even the slightest distraction can cause complications. But personally, I thrive on it. I've always performed at my best under pressure and I like the adrenaline rush. Of course, it is important to take breaks and time for recuperation.
Besides interpreting, you have a few more irons in the fire.
I do. I have been managing a translation agency in Freiburg for 25 years. As a manager and leader of my team, I am familiar with the role of being an employer, as well as service provider to our clients. Over the years, I have become increasingly interested in personnel management and development. What part do I play in boosting my employees’ motivation? What do I do when conflicts arise within the team? How do I support employees to develop so that they are satisfied at work? To find answers to these questions, I started to study non-violent communication a few years ago and then trained as a systemic business coach.
Business Coach? What’s that?
As a business coach, I support people in finding solutions for their job-related issues. Typical questions are: Do I actually want to be a leader? How do I resolve a conflict at work? How do I balance work and private life? How do I improve cooperation within my team? How do I deal with stress?
These are all questions that I have asked myself before. As a systemic coach, I help my clients to find their own solutions by guiding them through the process. The first step is for them to get a better idea of their own needs and motivations. My own leadership experience and the insights into corporate structures from my work as an interpreter has given me help me to quickly understand a situation.
And how does that relate to interpreting?
It is always about communication. Whether I am interpreting or coaching, in German or English: Sometimes an inconspicuous word can change the whole meaning of what is being said. I am trained to notice such nuances, which is helpful in both areas of work.
Über Mich
I am a conference interpreter for English and German with 25 years’ experience, and have been managing Peschel Communications, a translation agency in Freiburg, for almost as long. Asa business coach, I bring a wealth of experience from my different roles as service provider, eand have lange Geschäftsführerin der Freiburger Übersetzungsagentur Peschel Communications. Als Business Coach bringe ich meine Erfahrungen in unterschiedlichsten Rollen als Dienstleisterin, Vorgesetzte, kulturelle Vermittlerin und Mutter ein, um Dir bei der Lösung Deiner berufsbezogenen Fragen und Konflikte zu helfen.
Did you always want to be an interpreter?
Ich erinnere mich, wie ich im Grundschulalter vor dem Radio saß und ganz fasziniert davon war, wie sich unterschiedliche Sprachen anhören. Und dann später dieses unglaubliche Gefühl, Gespräche in anderen Sprachen führen zu können, sich also nicht nur irgendwie verständigen zu können, sondern ganz nuanciert zu kommunizieren. Da war für mich auch klar, dass die mündliche Kommunikation, also Hören und Sprechen, ein ganz wichtiger Aspekt für mich ist. Was kann es also Schöneres geben, als mit diesen Mitteln anderen Menschen zu helfen, sich zu verständigen?
What surprised you in your job?
Oh, there are a few things: I did not expect that sitting in an interpreting booth all day is not just mentally, but also physically exhausting. There is little ventilation, hardly any room and your focus has to be 100 percent the whole time. But there are ways to deal with this. I almost always spend my breaks outdoors to get my oxygen levels back up.
Außerdem war ich über die Vielfalt der Themen, mit denen ich in Berührung kam, erstaunt. Als Konferenzdolmetscherin bereite ich mich auf jede Konferenz gründlich vor, und so habe ich inzwischen ein breites Wissen über so unterschiedliche Bereiche wie Voltigieren, LSD und künstliche Intelligenz angesammelt. Natürlich beschäftige ich mich auch mit gerne mit auf den ersten Blick weniger exotischen Fachgebieten, wie erneuerbare Energien, Pharma oder Finanzen.
Simultaneous interpreting is said to be almost as stressful as flying a fighter jet. Is that true?
Well, fortunately in my line of work it’s not normally a question of life and death. But the pressure is incredibly high. Having to listen, translate and speak at the same time, even the slightest distraction can cause complications. But personally, I thrive on it. I've always performed at my best under pressure and I like the adrenaline rush. Of course, it is important to take breaks and time for recuperation.
Besides interpreting, you have a few more irons in the fire.
I do. I have been managing a translation agency in Freiburg for 25 years. As a manager and leader of my team, I am familiar with the role of being an employer, as well as service provider to our clients. Over the years, I have become increasingly interested in personnel management and development. What part do I play in boosting my employees’ motivation? What do I do when conflicts arise within the team? How do I support employees to develop so that they are satisfied at work? To find answers to these questions, I started to study non-violent communication a few years ago and then trained as a systemic business coach.
Business Coach? What’s that?
As a business coach, I support people in finding solutions for their job-related issues. Typical questions are: Do I actually want to be a leader? How do I resolve a conflict at work? How do I balance work and private life? How do I improve cooperation within my team? How do I deal with stress?
These are all questions that I have asked myself before. As a systemic coach, I help my clients to find their own solutions by guiding them through the process. The first step is for them to get a better idea of their own needs and motivations. My own leadership experience and the insights into corporate structures from my work as an interpreter has given me help me to quickly understand a situation.
And how does that relate to interpreting?
It is always about communication. Whether I am interpreting or coaching, in German or English: Sometimes an inconspicuous word can change the whole meaning of what is being said. I am trained to notice such nuances, which is helpful in both areas of work.
English 
German