I was born in Bilbao, in the Basque Country on the northern coast of Spain. I began learning English at the age of three, sparking a lifelong interest in language that led me to study English Philology at the University of Deusto. There, I built a strong foundation in linguistics, discourse analysis, syntax, semantics, and translation, through a rigorous program that has served me well over the years.
I’ve worked continuously as a Spanish and English translator since graduating, later expanding into interpreting. In my twenties, life (and love) brought me to Australia, where I followed my Australian husband after meeting him while he was surfing along the Basque coast. Soon after arriving, I discovered NAATI and sat what were then the Professional Translator and Interpreter exams, passing both on the first attempt. That marked the beginning of my professional journey.
At first, translation and interpreting sat alongside other work as I found my feet. I later returned to Bilbao, where demand for translation between Spanish and English was high. Those years were intense and formative, with constant work across technical manuals, financial reports, legal documents, court orders, and even a couple of short books. I also interpreted regularly in corporate and business settings, building technical and legal expertise that still underpins my work today.
At the same time, community interpreting, known in Europe as public service interpreting, was still emerging, but I gained valuable experience interpreting for the Basque police and in court settings. One early experience remains memorable: what I thought was an interview for an interpreter role with a steel engineering company. I arrived nervous, only to discover I was there to interview and assess the engineers’ English proficiency. It was an unexpected lesson in adaptability and the importance of clear communication.
Today, I work across translation, community interpreting, and conference interpreting, with no two days the same. My work ranges from assisting police with covert recordings and interpreting in early-morning raids, to working in serious criminal court proceedings, supporting communication between doctors and patients, families and schools, and interpreting at immigration appeals and community information sessions. I also interpret at international conferences, both onsite and remotely.
Most of my current work is in courts and tribunals, where I see justice being administered daily. While I was initially disheartened by working conditions, the introduction of the Recommended National Standards for Working with Interpreters in Courts and Tribunals in 2017 marked a real turning point. The progress since then reflects the dedication of colleagues I deeply admire, and learning from them is one of the great privileges of this profession.
After all these years, I’m still struck by the power of translation and interpreting to remove communication barriers and keep life moving.
Since late 2023, I’ve been the delegate of AUSIT’s Spanish Language Division, a volunteer role aligned with my belief in language-specific professional development and collegiality. I’m also a member of the Spanish panel of NAATI examiners and an active advocate for higher standards across the profession.
I never stop learning. I read widely on language, translation and interpreting, and in recent years I’ve taught at TAFE SA and RMIT, contributing to the training of emerging practitioners.
I’m deeply grateful for what this profession has given me: purpose, identity, and direction. That enthusiastic child heading off to English classes had no idea where the journey would lead, but she knew languages mattered. They still do.
Cintia is a Certified Interpreter (Spanish/English) and a Certified Translator (Spanish into English and English into Spanish). She was recently interviewed in the SBS Spanish podcast series, offering an inside look at the interpreting profession and its vital role in legal and healthcare settings. In the interview, she reflects on the technical and emotional demands of the work, and the responsibility of acting as a linguistic bridge in critical situations.