Interpreting is far more than an accurate rendering of the spoken word into another language. My ambition as an interpreter is to create real connection between people.
Rastislav Geschwandtner
Founder, Entia s.r.o.
When we meet someone for the first time and strike up a conversation, something magical happens. As we talk, we begin to discover the other person's views, thoughts, and values, gradually forming an impression of who they are. We listen closely, pick up on subtle cues, and draw our own conclusions. When a conversation takes place across two languages, it's up to the interpreter to ensure that those nuances are also conveyed.
My job as an interpreter is to make sure that the two parties UNDERSTAND each other.
The same applies to conferences and other events. When we listen to a speaker on stage, we don't accept or reject what they say based on the facts presented alone. We also respond to the way they deliver their message, their connection with the audience, and the overall impression they make. Interpreters play a key role in shaping that experience.
Good interpreters build bridges between people. Poor interpreters unintentionally build walls.
That's why choosing the right interpreters is so important. When you invest so much time, money, and effort in bringing a speaker's message to your audience, you want them to shine and your audience to take away as much as possible. My colleagues and I would be happy to help you make that happen.
In the mid-1990s, shortly after graduating and the fall of the Iron Curtain, there was one thing I wanted to do more than anything else: travel to Mexico. To see its volcanoes. To climb Popocatépetl. I needed a job that would give me control over my own time, so I started working as a freelance technical translator. Interpreting gradually became part of the mix. After travelling around Mexico and spending three years at what I thought would be a temporary job, I realised that this was my dream job.
As a mechanical engineer, I initially specialised mainly in highly technical subjects – from auditing a fighter jet engine to nuclear fuel handling. The more technical, the better. But as my references grew, so did the range of my clients and areas of expertise.
Interpreting Slovakia's accession negotiations with the EU and NATO introduced me to the world of diplomacy. NATO summits. Meetings of heads of state and government. Slovakia's entry into the Schengen Area led me to law enforcement and international police cooperation. And I'm one of the few interpreters in Slovakia with security clearance at the Secret level.
Interpreting at training sessions for insurance companies, insurance brokers, and banks opened the door to the world of finance. Years of working with gas and energy companies have allowed me to develop expertise in gas transmission and storage, power generation and transmission, and geology. IT, telecommunications, and cybersecurity have also been a constant part of my work. And alongside all this, I have interpreted countless specialist conferences and business negotiations in many other fields.
Here, too, I have had the privilege of being part of some amazing projects – from heritage conservation and environmental protection to education.
A quarter of a century has passed and I still find interpreting immensely rewarding. I work with exceptional people, help them communicate and build partnerships, and get a glimpse into so many different worlds. What more could I ask for :-)?
One of my defining traits is curiosity. I'm interested in a wide range of topics, from technology, social sciences, and education to design and art. My curiosity drives me to explore unfamiliar areas and absorb new knowledge. In interpreting, that's a big advantage: it feeds my need to keep learning, while helping me deal with uncertainty and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
Besides interpreting, I’m involved in a few other projects and activities that I care about:
Founder of TEDxBratislava, a non-profit TED event with more than 16 years of history.
Speaker coach and mentor at PrezentPerfekt – I help clients prepare for important presentations and deliver public speaking courses.
Co-founder of MakerSpace Bratislava, a community workshop where children and adults can bring their own ideas and projects to life.
Author of primary-school Textbooks on practical education for grades 3 and 4.