68 - Interpreting for Marie Kondo - Marie Iida

It’s undeniable that shows produced in languages that are not the most widely spoken are rare. However, one of such shows has recently been gaining popularity in streaming platforms: Tyding up with Marie Kondo. Today, we have the great pleasure of interviewing Marie Iida, the super talented interpreter on the show. Marie is a Japanese translator and an editorial coordinator. She was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and first moved to the United States at the age of 6. Moving back and forth between the U.S. and her native country throughout her life, she developed a love of writing in both Japanese and English. She graduated from New York University and completed a master’s degree in American Studies at Columbia University. She has worked translating screenplays for legendary Japanese filmmakers. Marie’s work as a translator can be seen in renowned Japanese publications. She also has been working as a Japanese editorial coordinator and translator for a New York publisher and she currently works as Marie Kondo’s interpreter in the Netflix series Tidying up with Marie Kondo. Travelling a lot between Japan and the United States at a young age definitely influenced Marie’s decision to do translation work. Growing up in the midst of both cultures and languages, she often felt she couldn’t fully identify herself with either. With time, she realized she didn’t necessarily have to pick one. Her unique knowledge and experiences turned out to be an advantage and she ended up having many amazing work opportunities, including interpreting for American actor, writer, and director Ethan Hawke. Marie has often been praised and recognized for the amazing job she does interpreting for Marie Kondo. The Japanese organizing consultant has been a great source of inspiration for her. “She really knows who she is and she’s confident about who she is.'' Working alongside Marie Kondo, she has learned a lot about interpersonal relationships, being herself and being confident about who she is. As a short Japanese woman, at times she has felt her voice wasn’t heard in the room. Marie Kondo has taught her that “as long as you know who you are and are passionate about what you say, people will hear you.” Finally, when asked about her view on the translator of the future, Marie said she likes to think the future of translators is bright. For her, interpreters and translators play a huge role in introducing diverse ideas and voices from around the world. “Reading between the lines and understanding the nuances of the language and tone are things human beings are much better equipped to do than machines.”