Known for his prodigious memory, he was said to possess an uncanny ability to recite a full hour of interpretation without notes, never missing a word. This feat alone would have set him apart from his peers, but wait until you hear how he did it.

Picture the man sitting in a bustling conference room, listening intently to a speech. To the untrained eye, he might appear to be simply taking in the words. However, inside his mind, a complex process is afoot.

He visualized himself walking down a familiar street in his hometown, each window and storefront representing a segment of the speech. He anchored each thought or phrase to a specific detail he saw along this mental journey. When it was his turn to speak, he simply revisited this imaginary stroll, retracing his own steps to recall and relay the speech with impeccable accuracy. It was a cognitive marvel, an actual stroll down memory lane.

In 1934, Kaminker’s skills were put to the test during one of the most significant moments of his career. He was tasked with interpreting a speech by Adolf Hitler at the Zeppelin Field in Nuremberg, Germany — translating from German into French over the radio. This was no ordinary assignment. Rendering a speech simultaneously, as it came, had never been attempted before. It required not only linguistic precision, but also an industrial dose of self-confidence and mental fortitude. His flawless execution of this daunting task solidified his reputation as one of the most illustrious interpreters of his time.

Kaminker’s career highlights the evolving role of interpreters in both war and peace. During an era marked by rapid political changes and global conflicts, interpreters like him were indispensable. They not only bridged language barriers, but also facilitated crucial dialogues that shaped the course of history.

Of course, Kaminker’s contributions were not limited to such high-stakes scenarios in the limelight. As is the case with us mere mortal interpreters, his daily work involved the routine, yet no less critical, task of ensuring clear communication in a variety of contexts. Whether interpreting diplomatic negotiations or translating complex legal documents, his meticulous approach and extraordinary memory were always at the forefront.