The Linguist’s Story – January

Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month, we introduce you to Shaimaa Abdulkarim, an interpreter working in Kurdish dialects Bahdani and Kurmanji.

Tell us about your work for TLS.

I work as a remote Kurdish interpreter in Bahdini and Kurmanji. Since then, I have worked across a range of settings, including the NHS, social services, and other public and voluntary sector organisations.

What has been your favourite project at TLS?

I have enjoyed working with TLS, and my experience across the projects I have undertaken so far has been very positive. I have interpreted in numerous mental health sessions with different organisations, and I value all of them. One session I particularly valued involved supporting a psychology appointment, where I observed a high level of professionalism and expertise from the specialist, making it a very positive and memorable experience.

What has been your biggest challenge?  

One of my main challenges is that some organisations request a Kurdish interpreter without specifying the required dialect. Kurdish consists of several main dialects, including Bahdini, Kurmanji, and Sorani, and it is important to identify the correct one for each booking. If there is any uncertainty about which dialect is required, the TLS team can support organisations in establishing the appropriate dialect for the individual booking.

Can you tell us about a time your work has made a difference to someone’s life?

On several occasions, I have interpreted for unaccompanied minors and looked-after children seeking asylum in the UK. Being their voice during discussions about their difficult journey, helping them know what their rights are, and reassuring them that they are in a safe country is always a privilege, and I believe it  makes a meaningful difference to the young people’s lives.

Tell us something interesting about you.

An interesting fact about me is that I am a fluent Arabic speaker and genuinely enjoy learning new things, which is one of the reasons I work as an interpreter. This role allows me to learn something new every day through the people and situations I work with.