Your month ahead - July
11, Rohini Vrat, Jain
This Jain observance occurs several times every year, whenever the lunar constellation Rohini Nakshatra is visible in the sky. Traditionally marked by wives seeking long life and wellbeing for their husbands, it is also observed by those in pursuit of peace and prosperity. The day is marked by fasting, which is over when Rohini Nakshatra is no longer visible. Jains observe this fast for a recommended period of five years and five months, after which time they perform a ritual known as Udyapana.
18, Nelson Mandela International Day
Declared by the UN in 2009, this day marks Nelson Mandela’s birthday and serves as a reminder of his work dismantling Apartheid in South Africa and fighting poverty and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Mandela spent 67 years working hard for a better world, so organisers of the day encourage everyone to honour his memory by spending 67 minutes doing something to ‘combat poverty and inequity’.
July’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
3 – Feast of the Saint Thomas the Apostle, Christian
10 – Martyrdom of the Báb, Baha’i
11 – Rohini Vrat, Jain
15 – Saint Vladimir the Great Day, Orthodox Christian
20 – Ashadha Ashtahnika begins, Jain
22 – Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, Christian
23 – Tish’a B’av, Judaism
23 – Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie, Rastafari
24 – Pioneer Day, Mormon Christian
25 – Saint James the Great’s Day, Christian
28 – Ashadha Chaumasi Chaudas, Jain
29 – Asalha Puja (Dharma Day), Buddhist
29 – The 15th of Av, Judaism
29 – Guru Purnima, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain
Awareness and Events
14 – International Non-Binary People’s Day
18 – Nelson Mandela International Day
18 Jul-17 Aug – South Asian Heritage Month
28 – World Hepatitis Day
language fact file: Gujarati
An official language in: Gujarat, India, and the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Number of native speakers: More than 55 million
Learn some: ‘Hello’ will be familiar to many of us: નમસ્તે, pronounced ‘namaste’. If you want to go one better, ask how are you with તમે કેમ છો, pronounced ‘tame kem chho?’
Fast facts:
Gujarati is one of 22 official languages in India. It is also one of the most widely spoken foreign languages in both London and Birmingham!
Within the language, there are many diverse dialects. There is an old saying about Gujarati: ‘Baar gaamey boli badlaay’, which translates as ‘the dialect changes every twelve villages’, and the linguistic diversity remains today.
‘Father of the Nation’ and one of the architects of Indian independence, Mahatma Gandhi, spoke Gujarati as his mother tongue, as does Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The linguist’s story - June
Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month, we meet Radha Patel, a linguist working in Gujarati.
Tell us about the work you do for TLS.
I work as a Gujarati Interpreter for TLS, supporting communication between service providers and individuals whose first language is Gujarati. My role involves facilitating accurate and culturally sensitive communication across a variety of settings, helping clients access the information and services they need. I take pride in ensuring that language is never a barrier to understanding, participation, or receiving support.
What has been your biggest challenge?
One of the biggest challenges is interpreting complex or sensitive conversations while ensuring that the meaning, tone, and context are conveyed accurately. This requires not only strong language skills but also professionalism, impartiality, and empathy. Every situation is unique, and it is important to maintain clear communication while respecting cultural differences and individual circumstances.
Can you tell us about a time your work has made a difference to someone?
There have been several occasions where I have supported individuals with refugee status who were navigating unfamiliar systems and processes. In one instance, accurate interpretation helped a client clearly understand important information regarding their support services and future options. Being able to communicate effectively reduced their anxiety and enabled them to make informed decisions. Knowing that my role helped them feel heard, understood, and supported was extremely rewarding.
Tell us something interesting about you.
I enjoy learning about different cultures and languages, which is one of the reasons I find interpreting so fulfilling. Through my work, I can meet people from diverse backgrounds and help build understanding between communities. I am also passionate about continuous learning and developing my skills to provide the highest quality service possible.
Customer survey
We have had a great response to our annual customer satisfaction survey, launched last month – thank you to everyone who has filled it in! We are grateful for your time.
The survey results help us to understand how happy our customers are with our linguists and our support staff, and any areas and ways that you feel we can improve.
If you haven’t yet filled it out, there’s still time. It will take just a few minutes to complete, and you can remain completely anonymous, if you choose to.
Fill in the survey here.
your month ahead - June
15-21, Refugee Week
Held annually since 1998, Refugee Week is a cultural and arts festival celebrating the impact and contribution of refugees. It aims to increase understanding of the challenges faced by people fleeing conflict or persecution in their pursuit of a safe home, achieving this via a nationwide programme of events, activities and exhibitions. This year’s theme is Courage, in recognition of the bravery needed to seek safety, but also in reference to the Latin word for heart, cor, which the word courage is derived from.
21, Litha (summer solstice), Wicca and Pagan
Litha marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, making this the longest day of the year and therefore the shortest night. The day has meaning for many of us, as a marker of the passing seasons and beginning of summer. For Pagans and Wiccans, it has spiritual significance, marking the end of the Oak King’s reign and the beginning of the Holly King’s reign, as the days start to grow shorter. Traditionally, the evening is celebrated with bonfires and, for many, staying up to watch the sun rise.
June’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
4 – Eid Al-Ghadir, Islam
4 – The Feast of Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian
8 – The Apostles’ Fast begins, Orthodox Christian
12 – Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Christian
14 – Rohini Vrat, Jain
14 – Rice Planting Festival (Otaue Matsuri), Shinto
16 – Islamic New Year, Islam
16 – Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, Sikh
21 – Litha, Wicca and Pagan
24 – Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Christian
25 – Day of Ashura, Islam
29 – Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Christian
29 Jun-3 Jul – Maidyoshahem Gahambar, Zoroastrian
30 – Guru Hargobind Jayanti, Sikh
Awareness and Events
4 – International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
12 – World Day Against Child Labour
14 – Race Unity Day
15 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
15-21 – Refugee Week
15-21 – Men’s Health Week
18 – Autistic Pride Day
20 – World Refugee Day
21 – Summer Solstice
21 – Father’s Day
22 – UK Windrush Day
22-26 – School Diversity Week
Language Fact File - Farsi, Dari, Tajik
Language fact file: Farsi/Dari/Tajik
Spoken in: Iran (Farsi), Afghanistan (Dari), Tajikistan (Tajik)
Number of native speakers: 72 million
Learn some: A general greeting is the widely used ‘salam’, but if you want to expand and ask how someone is, it’s ‘halet chetore?’ (ha-let che-tor-eh)
Fast facts:
Farsi is written using the Arabic alphabet, whereas Tajik is written in the Cyrillic script, like Russian and Bulgarian.
Farsi contains loan words from Arabic, French, Russian and English, eg otobus is bus and komod is wardrobe, both from the French.
Farsi, spoken in Iran, has a politeness system called ta’arot, which is a mutually understood pattern of behaviours, eg refusing an offer before you are able to accept it, or generously offering something that you do not expect the other person to accept (and equally, if you are on the receiving end of this generous offer, you are expected not to accept!).
The linguist’s story
Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month, we meet Shafiqa Shairshah, a linguist working in Dari and Persian/Farsi.
Tell us about the work you do for TLS.
I work as an interpreter for Persian and Dari, supporting individuals from Iran and Afghanistan in a wide range of settings. My role goes beyond direct translation. I act as a bridge between cultures, helping people communicate clearly during some of the most important and often difficult moments in their lives. Whether it’s within healthcare, legal environments or support services, I ensure that individuals feel heard, understood, and respected.
What has been your biggest challenge?
One of the most challenging aspects of my work is interpreting during trauma therapy sessions. Many of the individuals I support have experienced profound hardship, including displacement, conflict, and loss. Being present in those conversations requires not only linguistic accuracy but also emotional resilience. I naturally feel a deep sense of empathy, and while that can be difficult at times, it also motivates me to provide the highest level of support I can. I am always mindful of maintaining professionalism while ensuring that my presence contributes to a safe and supportive environment.
Can you tell us about a time your work has made a difference to someone with refugee status?
Through my work, I’ve had the privilege of supporting many refugee families, particularly from Afghanistan, during extremely challenging periods of their lives. I always try to offer not just interpretation, but also reassurance and a sense of hope. Even small moments (helping someone fully express themselves or understand their options) can make a meaningful difference. I’ve received heartfelt appreciation from families who felt encouraged and supported during difficult transitions and seeing them regain confidence and resilience is incredibly rewarding.
Tell us something interesting about you.
Outside of my professional work, I have a strong passion for gardening and spending time in nature. I find it both grounding and inspiring. I also love travelling and immersing myself in different cultures, experiencing new environments, traditions and perspectives enriches both my personal life and my work as an interpreter. It helps me connect more deeply with the people I support and appreciate the diversity of their experiences.
TLS Customer Survey 2026
We hope you’ve had a positive experience with our interpreting services. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and your feedback would mean a great deal to us.
We’ve put together a short survey that will only take a couple of minutes to complete, and your responses will help us continue providing the best possible service and support to our clients. Thank you in advance for your time and valuable feedback, we truly appreciate it.
TLS Survey
Your month ahead - May
4-10, Deaf Awareness Week
This annual campaign focuses on promoting understanding of deafness and improving inclusion for deaf and Deaf people. This year, it highlights the importance of accessible communication and equal access to information and services. The week aims to raise awareness of Deaf culture and British Sign Language, while encouraging individuals, organisations and communities to remove communication barriers.
27-29 (depending on moon sighting), Eid al-Adha, Islam
Eid al-Adha is also known as ‘Big Eid’, and is different from Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha remembers a story from the Qur’an in which Allah asks Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, to prove his faith. When Allah sees that Ibrahim is willing to make the sacrifice, he replaces the boy with a ram. To honour this sacrifice, traditionally Muslims get together and eat a sacrificial animal, donating a portion of the meat to those in need. If you don’t celebrate yourself, wish Muslim colleagues, neighbours and friends an Eid mubarak this year!
May’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
1 – Beltane, Wicca and Pagan
2 – Twelfth Day of Ridvan, Baha’i
3 – Feast of Saints Philip and James, Catholic Christian
5 – Lag Baomer, Judaism
6 – Midfeast, Orthodox Christian
14 – Ascension of the Lord, Catholic Christian
14 – Feast of Saint Matthias, Catholic Christian
18 – Rohini Vrat, Jain
21 – Feast of the Ascension, Orthodox Christian
22-23 – Shavuot, Judaism
24 – Declaration of the Báb, Baha’i
24 – Pentecost, Catholic Christian
25 – Hajj begins, Islam
26 – Day of Arafah, Islam
27 – Eid Al-Adha begins, Islam
29 – Ascension of Baha‘U’llah, Baha’i
30 – Saturday of Souls, Orthodox Christian
31 – Vesak, Buddhist
31 – Pentecost, Catholic Christian
31 – Trinity Sunday, Catholic Christian
31 – Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian
31 – Saga Dawa Düchen, Buddhist
Awareness and Events
3 – International Family Equality Day
4-10 – Deaf Awareness Week
8 – World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
11-17 – Mental Health Awareness Week
13 – National Day for Staff Networks
15 – International Day of Families
17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and
Biphobia
21 – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
22 – International Day for Biological Diversity
24 – Pansexual Visibility Day
Language fact file - Welsh
Language fact file: Welsh
Welsh is spoken as an official language in: Wales
Number of speakers: 538,000
Learn some: Impress people by commenting on the weather: mae’n braf heddiw (main brahv heth-ee-oo) means ‘it’s nice today’.
Fast facts:
Welsh is one of the oldest living languages in Europe. It has been spoken for more than 1,500 years, which makes it older than English.
Wales also boasts one of the longest place names in Europe, with a village in Anglesey, northwest Wales, called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch!
Despite being right next door, English has relatively few loan words from Welsh. Flannel, corgi and bard are a few, and it is hotly debated among linguists but some believe that penguin came from the Welsh pen gwyn, which means white head.