Jimmy Carter’s presidency, though marked by crisis, was also filled with numerous anecdotes. One such story unfolded during his first international tour in 1977, a diplomatic trip to Poland that quickly turned into a translation nightmare. This incident, occurring on December 29th, the 47th anniversary of his death, highlights the crucial role of accurate translation in international relations.
The State Department, believing they had selected the most qualified candidate, assigned Steven Seymour to interpret for Carter. Seymour, a part-time interpreter with a daily rate of $150, was tasked with bridging the language gap between English and Polish in a high-stakes political setting. However, his tenure was short-lived.
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During a frigid 25-minute welcome ceremony, Carter spoke of his desire to strengthen East-West relations and understand the aspirations of the Polish people. However, Seymour’s translation was riddled with errors, turning Carter’s well-intentioned words into a source of unintended humor and offense. He mixed up words, sometimes translating phrases into Russian instead of Polish, a gaffe perceived as insulting in the politically charged atmosphere of the Cold War.
Carter’s simple statement of wanting to learn about Poland’s desires was misinterpreted as expressing carnal desires for the Polish people. Even more egregious, reports circulated that Seymour translated Carter’s expression of happiness to be in Poland into a vulgar statement about the country.
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Seymour was swiftly replaced the next day by Jerzy Krycki. However, Krycki also faced difficulties, admitting that he struggled to understand Carter’s Southern accent. He chose silence over potential misinterpretations, further highlighting the challenges of cross-cultural communication.
Despite the diplomatic embarrassment caused by the translation errors, both Carter and Polish leader Edward Gierek displayed grace and understanding. Gierek downplayed the incident, while Carter, in a letter discovered after Seymour’s death in 2014, reassured the interpreter not to be troubled by the exaggerated criticisms.
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The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of precise language in diplomacy and the potential for miscommunication to undermine even the best intentions. While Carter’s Polish trip became infamous for its translation blunders, it also showcased the former president’s compassion and ability to rise above diplomatic faux pas.
