How do you prepare yourself to better understand an unfamiliar Target Audience?
Translations can change dramatically when different Target Audiences (TA) are introduced. When you work on a translation that is intended for a particular TA, you must have a thorough understanding of that group of people in order to authentically translate a text in a way that will resonate appropriately as intended. The interviewer is looking for a candidate who does their research and immerses themselves as fully as possible in the project to achieve the desired results.
"There are a lot of layers to understanding a Target Audience - what they like, what they say, what they resonate with, what impacts them, and so on. When I am preparing myself for an unfamiliar Target Audience, I try to immerse myself as fully as possible and put myself as closely in the shoes of a member of that audience as possible, through movies, music, articles, and more. I try to explore what current events and topics are most relevant to that audience in whatever time period is appropriate for the translation. Depending on my ability and proximity, I might even consult with a specialist in or, better yet, a member of that audience throughout the translation process."