My career as an interpreter has been built on a simple but powerful belief: language access is not a luxury-it is essential. Every day, I see how clear, accurate communication can shape outcomes in healthcare, legal, and community settings, and how easily things can go wrong without a trained professional bridging the gap.
As I shared in a recent SBS Greek Radio interview, a certified interpreter is not just someone who speaks two languages. We are trained to transfer every piece of information accurately and objectively, without additions, omissions, or emotional interference, and with complete confidentiality. In high-stakes environments, this responsibility carries enormous weight.
Much of my work is in healthcare, where communication can literally be lifesaving. Hospitals are fast paced, emotionally charged environments. Patients may be frightened, in pain, or overwhelmed. Clinicians are making critical decisions under time pressure. My role is to ensure that each message, symptoms, questions, consent, explanations, is conveyed exactly as intended. I recall a case where a family member had downplayed a patient’s symptoms out of fear. When the patient’s words were interpreted faithfully, doctors recognised internal bleeding and acted immediately. That experience reinforced for me how accuracy in interpreting can directly affect a person’s survival.
Beyond language, I bring strong skills in managing complex dynamics: remaining calm under pressure, processing information quickly, and maintaining professional boundaries while still showing respect and cultural awareness. Cultural context can sometimes clarify misunderstandings, but always within the ethical framework of the interpreter’s role.
“Much of my work is in healthcare, where communication can literally be lifesaving… My role is to ensure that each message, symptoms, questions, consent, explanations, is conveyed exactly as intended”
Legal and police interpreting has been another significant part of my journey. In these settings, precision and neutrality are equally critical. I have witnessed situations where non-professional interpreting distorted facts, dates mixed up, key details omitted, or information softened to “protect” someone. In one police interview, a relative intentionally left out information, altering the entire meaning of a statement. When interpreted professionally and accurately, the process became fair and reliable. These experiences highlight how professional interpreting protects not only individuals, but the integrity of legal processes themselves.
A milestone in my career has been contributing to greater awareness of how to work effectively with interpreters. Supporting discussions with professionals about best practices, such as speaking directly to the client or patient and allowing time for accurate interpreting, helps improve outcomes across services.
Throughout my career, I remain guided by the core principles of our profession: accuracy, impartiality, confidentiality, and professionalism. It is a privilege to ensure that people are heard exactly as they speak, whether it concerns their health, their rights, or their future.
Voula is a Certified Interpreter (Greek/English) and Certified Translator (Greek into English). Voula appears in the SBS interview series featuring NAATI-certified interpreters, highlighting how certified interpreters bridge cultural and linguistic gaps in healthcare, ensuring patients can fully understand their diagnosis, treatment options and rights – and why professionalism and accuracy are essential in these high‑stakes settings.