Spotlight on... Benoît Kremer

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Benoît Kremer will be taking an early retirement this summer. Born in France in 1958, he studied in Metz, obtaining undergraduate degrees in English, German and applied foreign languages. He continued his studies in Geneva, where he obtained a diploma in translation in 1980 and a diploma in conference interpreting in 1983 from the École de traduction et d’interprétation (School of Translation and Interpreting – ETI), which later became the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting.

He has been working as a freelance translator since 1980. In 1983, he launched his career as a freelance conference interpreter. His areas of speciality include law, economics, technical fields and art. His clients vary from the European Patent Office to the Federal Office for the Environment, the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects, the World Anti-Doping Agency and various law firms in Switzerland, France and Germany.

He has lectured at several universities and translation and interpreting schools, including the University of Grenoble III from 1995 to 2017 (German-to-French legal translation), the Munich University of Applied Languages from 2012 to 2014 (interpreting from German and English to French) and the FTI, from 1992 to 2021, where he has taught general translation classes, advanced translation and revision from English to French, and consecutive and simultaneous interpreting from German and English to French, as well as an introductory course to interpreting for translation students.

He has been a member of the International Association of Conference Interpreters since 1991 and was president of the association from 2006 to 2012.

What does being a translator and interpreter and teaching translation and interpreting mean to you?

I view translation as a fundamental need. A day that I haven’t spent tackling the challenges of a text, trying to understand the underlying devices behind it, and overcoming the stumbling blocks is a dreary day indeed – a wasted day, even. Each time I encounter a new topic or have to look up a new piece of information, it is a source of enrichment and fulfillment. It still astonishes me that clients are willing to pay me to further enhance my knowledge and perfect my translation and interpreting skills!

Teaching has allowed me to better understand the mechanisms I use on a daily basis by obliging me to explain them to others. Interactions with my colleagues have led to some incredible encounters, forging many bonds and friendships. Above all, I am astonished, year after year, at the growth and development of all those young talents who have given me so much over the last thirty years or so. On a pedagogical, professional and personal level, nothing is more gratifying than seeing my students take the leap and become independent, eventually landing jobs that will only further contribute to the reputation of the FTI.

How did you deal with the lockdown and online teaching?

Teaching online was a difficult ordeal. After the shock of having to swiftly and unexpectedly change formats, we had to stay the course and present to students a sort of normality that was illusory, but nonetheless necessary to ensure a certain continuity in their education and avoid a psychological collapse. I found the tenacity of my students truly admirable, even though I know that they were severely affected by the consequences of the pandemic on their studies. Nevertheless, thanks to the efforts of the teaching staff, student body and administrative and technical staff, we managed to preserve what is essential, and I sincerely hope that this unfortunate chapter can be closed without leaving behind any significant scars..

Finally, tell us a little bit about your retirement plans.

I am going to devote more time to studying the historical and social background of the region of Le Berry and the city where I have put down roots. I have already written two books about a local family. The third, which will come out this year, is the biography of the founder of the Académie du Centre. I am in the process of writing the fourth, which is devoted to an aristocrat, traveller and writer. I would be happy to welcome all those who wish to come visit me. Other than that, I plan to do jigsaw puzzles, cook and read poetry in the evenings by the fire. And, of course, I will continue translating – just for fun of it!