'Shameless' translators, interpreters parade streets in Yaoundé

The Association of 'Professional' Translators and Interpreters had a sports walk across major streets in Yaoundé on  Saturday.

They wanted to interact with each other as well as make their profession better known to the public.

I wonder if their profession is to be made known by sports walks instead of concrete work that can  leave a mark on the public.

These so-called translators and interpreters have been in this country all this while yet misleading translations still prevail during examinations.

It's hard for me to believe that these men and women exist when "les cadres" is translated into English as "the cadres" during  competitive entrance exams.

It's unacceptable that these guys should parade our city when "palais des sports" is simply put in English as "sports palace".

It's pretty ugly that these men and women should take our streets hostage when "matricule" is used on students' identification documents to mean registration number.

I can't swallow this walk when "bougie" is translated into English as "candle", when the intended meaning is "plug".

To err is human, of course. But it's still difficult for one to digest this, given that such terrible cases come up during well organized public events, especially public examinations.

Either they are incompetent or are being relegated to the bench. A mystery we may not understand anytime soon.