Inside Diplomatic Interpreting: CITS Hosts Workshop by Russian MFA Expert

On March 18, the CITS hosted an engaging and highly practical workshop delivered by Andrey Zavarukhin, Second Secretary of the Linguistic Support Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The session focused on one of the most challenging aspects of interpreting—phraseological units and metaphors in political discourse. These are the very pitfalls that can challenge even experienced interpreters. Together with the expert, participants went beyond simply reviewing common expressions: they unpacked them in detail, discussing nuances of usage and strategies for conveying meaning accurately.
What made the workshop especially valuable was its strong practical focus. Theoretical insights were immediately reinforced through hands-on exercises. Participants practiced consecutive interpreting using authentic text excerpts, applying newly acquired knowledge in real time. This approach not only helped consolidate the material but also strengthened their ability to work confidently with idiomatic language.
At the end of the session, participants highlighted the workshop’s practical relevance, the timeliness of the topic, and the direct applicability of the skills gained to their future professional work.
We extend our sincere thanks to Andrey Zavarukhin for sharing his expertise and inspiring our students. We are confident that cooperation with the Linguistic Support Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to grow, bringing even more valuable learning opportunities in the future.