Data Translators

When I was a kid eating Cheerios at the kitchen table I enjoyed ciphering which French words translated to which English words. After a while I became proficient at identifying when something was free, low in sugar, or had a prize inside, but that was the extent of my abilities. Now imagine I had taken this limited knowledge stepped into French immersion and tried to excel at my studies- unlikely right?

Much like the point where two languages converge, the worlds of data analysis and subject matter expertise suffer from misunderstanding, or perhaps, limited understanding. The French word "gratuit" is most often translated to "free", but what if the intended meaning was actually "complimentary"? Only an expert translator would know when to choose one over the other. Therefore, there is considerable value in someone who can navigate inter-language, or inter-disciplinary nuance.

But, being an expert inter-disciplinarian is not glamorous, carries enormous responsibility and is often underappreciated. Much like a shut-down defensemen in hockey a sure sign a "data translator" has done their job well, is that they have not drawn any attention to themselves. An effective data translator understands technical jargon and is able to communicate that as actionable operational speak, and vise-versa, all the while going undetected. I believe data translators are quite possibly one of the few positions in an organization/company where someone can be both the linchpin and most underrated.

Good data translators are by nature, rare. The main reason of course is because nothing but time and effort can create them. Sure, someone can have the technical skill to process the data, or knowledge to know what it means, but few will have both. Those that have both have the battle scars to prove it.

And so, I dedicate this article to the unsung hero's who do so much more than most in their organization will ever know. You are the backbone, thank you.