@Marie, Andrej: interpreters --- I cannot speak on behalf of UN interpreters, either. Nevertheless, I can better imagine how it is done in official meetings.

With no intention to underestimate the difficulty of the job, I have to say that, in most of the situations, the language used in resolutions, reports, declarations etc. is repetitive, standard, simple, and clear.

The context is very well known by professional interpreters who do the job on a permanent basis.

It is very rare that someone comes with language that is too sophisticated. Almost everything is in general connected with the Charter, a Convention, a previous resolution, a(Conference) Outcome document. Also, the majority of speakers are not native English speakers. Their language is more accessible.

Even the rights of reply, which are usually more colorful, are repetitive. The exchanges between India and Pakistan, on Kashmir, between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh, Japan and South Korea on "sex slaves" / "comfort women" (by the way, which one is better if you want to convince the audience?) are always the same!

UN was awarded the Peace Nobel Prize, but it has no chance for the Nobel Prize in Literature. :)

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu