The Linguist’s Story - August
Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month, we meet Willem Lopes, a linguist working in French and Lingala.
Tell us about the work you do at TLS.
At TLS, I help bridge the communication gap between members of the public and professionals by providing accurate and impartial interpreting services for Lingala and French speakers. My work takes me into a wide range of settings, including hospitals, GP surgeries, schools, clinics, benefit offices, housing departments, social services, and many other public sector organisations.
The work I do is incredibly rewarding because it can have a meaningful impact on people's lives. By facilitating effective communication, we help improve access to essential services and contribute to better outcomes, whether medically, socially, or personally.
What's been your favourite project at TLS?
One of the most rewarding assignments I've had at TLS was supporting the parents of a child with autism throughout a series of parenting courses. As the interpreter, I had the privilege of supporting communication between the family and the professionals delivering the sessions.
Over time, I witnessed an incredible transformation. The parents went from feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their child's diagnosis to developing a much deeper understanding of autism and recognising their child's unique strengths and potential.
Knowing that my role as an interpreter helped make those conversations possible and enabled the family to fully engage with the support available is something I will always be proud of. Experiences like this remind me that interpreting is about far more than language, it's about empowering people, building understanding, and making a genuine difference in their lives.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Navigating situations where there are significant cultural differences between a client and the professionals supporting them. At times, I have worked with individuals who require urgent medical or social care but, because of their personal beliefs, cultural background, or mental health, are unable or unwilling to accept the help being offered.
These moments remind me that interpreting is about far more than translating words. It is about building trust, bridging cultural differences, and ensuring that both parties genuinely understand one another. By facilitating clear and accurate communication, I hope to create an environment where informed decisions can be made and where every individual feels respected, heard, and understood.
Can you tell us about a time your work made a difference to someone's life?
Choosing just one example is incredibly difficult because so many assignments have had a profound impact.
I have interpreted for homeless families as they navigated housing services and were eventually able to secure accommodation. I have helped parents understand their child's diagnosis, giving them the knowledge and reassurance they needed to support their child with confidence.
I have also worked with individuals recovering from life-changing medical conditions, including supporting a client after brain surgery as she learned to communicate again, and interpreting during physiotherapy sessions for someone recovering from a stroke, enabling them to fully engage in their rehabilitation. I have witnessed children with speech and language difficulties make remarkable progress because their families were able to understand and actively participate in their therapy.
These are just a few examples among many. While interpreters often work behind the scenes, our role can be life changing. Every assignment is an opportunity to remove barriers, empower individuals, and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to understand, to be understood, and to access the support they need. Knowing that I have played a small part in those journeys is one of the greatest privileges of my career.
TLS retains Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation
TLS has once again been awarded the UK Government-backed Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, demonstrating our continued commitment to data security and best practices in cybersecurity.
The accreditation confirms that our systems and processes exceed industry standards for protecting your data from common online threats. This means that you can rest assured that our current protections offer the best in cyber safety, and that we are always working to stay ahead of new and emerging threats. It reflects our proactive approach to risk management and our dedication to maintaining the highest levels of trust and compliance.
If you have any questions about Cyber Essentials Plus, please speak to your account manager.
In your diary - August
1, Lughnasadh, Wicca and Pagan
Lughnasadh (pronounced ‘loo nah sod’) is a harvest festival traditionally celebrated by the Gaelic Celtic people of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, and originally marked the beginning of autumn. It is the first of three harvest festivals and focuses on gratitude for the bounty of grain. For this reason, celebrations involved fresh bread and corn dollies – small figurines made from sheafs of grain.
16, Onam, Hindu
Onam is another harvest festival, mainly taking place in the southern Indian state of Kerala, and in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Celebrated over ten days, it is the state festival for Kerala and marks the new year there. The biggest celebration of Onam is held on the last day, called Thiruvonam. People decorate with pookalams, mats made from flowers, and special boat races are held, as well as choreographed martial art displays and dancing.
August’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
1 – Lammas, Christian
1 – Lughnasadh, Wicca and Pagan
1 – Fast in Honour of the Holy Mother of the Lord Jesus begins, Orthodox Christian
4 – Arba’een, Islam
6 – Feast of Transfiguration, Catholic Christian
6 – Transfiguration of the Lord, Orthodox Christian
7 – Guru Har Krishan Jayanti, Sikh
8 – Rohini Vrat, Jain
8-17 – Muktad (Fravardeghan Days), Zoroastrian
10 – Feast of Saint Lawrence, Christian
13-15 – Obon, Buddhist and Shinto
15 – Assumption of Mary, Catholic Christian
15 – Dormition of the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
16 – Onam begins, Hindu
22 – Feast of the Queenship of Mary, Catholic Christian
24 – Feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, Christian
26 – Mawlid Al-Nabi, Islam
27 – Ullambana (Hungry Ghost Festival), Buddhist
28 – Raksha Bandhan, Hindu
28 – Dormition of the Mother of God, Orthodox Christian
29 – Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, Christian
Awareness and Events
9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
19 – World Humanitarian Day
22 – International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
23 – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
language fact file: Irish Gaelic
An official language in: the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Number of native speakers: Approximately 20-30,000, with 1.9m claiming some knowledge of the language
Learn some: Greet others with ‘dia duit’, pronounced ‘jee-ah ditch’ or ‘jee-ah gwit’, depending on where you are in the country! When you part ways, saying goodbye is ‘slán’, pronounced ‘shlahn’.
Fast facts:
Only 1.5% of the Irish population speak Gaelic every day. But there are currently more people learning the language online than there are living in Ireland!
The Irish language is one of the oldest written languages in Europe, dating back to the 4th century.
Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, because its landscapes are so green. One of the reasons for this is a rather wet climate, and Gaelic has 30-50 commonly recognised words and expressions for different kinds of rain!
The TLS Team Member’s Story - July
Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists, and sometimes a member of the TLS team. This month, we meet Faheem Dharma, our Operations Delivery Manager.
Tell us about the work you do at TLS.
As Operations Delivery Manager, my role is to ensure the business runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. I oversee our operational delivery, work closely with our teams to continuously improve processes, and ensure we provide the highest possible standard of service to our customers and service users.
I also support our colleagues by making sure they have everything they need to perform their roles effectively. This includes managing day-to-day equipment, sourcing specialist hardware, implementing new software and systems, and ensuring our teams have access to the tools and technology required to deliver an efficient, reliable service. Whether it’s operational improvements, technical solutions or supporting staff with their day-to-day requirements, my focus is always on enabling the business to operate as effectively as possible.
What’s been your favourite project at TLS?
One of my favourite projects has been helping to develop our Vista system. Earlier in my career, I had the opportunity to contribute to systems used by Stockport Council and the Royal London Hospital. That experience gave me valuable insight into what an effective operational platform should look like. When we came to build our own system, I was able to help shape a solution that genuinely supports our teams and makes their day-to-day work more efficient.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Without question, the biggest challenge was supporting the business through the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the course of a single weekend, we transitioned our office-based workforce to remote working. This involved preparing laptops, telephones and other equipment for the team, delivering them to employees’ homes and helping everyone get set up in time for Monday morning. It’s safe to say there was no shortage of calories burned over the weekend!
Despite the challenges, we maintained business continuity and continued delivering essential language services without interruption. This was only possible thanks to the dedication of the entire team. Special recognition goes to Carlo, our Innovations Director, whose leadership and development of remote service platforms ensured our customers and service users continued receiving the support they needed during an incredibly difficult period.
Can you tell us about a time your work made a difference to someone’s life?
During a personal visit to the Royal London Hospital, I overheard reception staff discussing a critically ill British Sign Language (BSL) user who had arrived in A&E without access to an interpreter. Recognising the urgency of the situation, I contacted our operations team immediately and asked them to source a BSL interpreter as quickly as possible.
Within 30 minutes, we had an interpreter at the hospital. Afterwards, I learned that the patient required emergency surgery but had been unable to understand what was being explained or provide informed consent because there was no interpreter present. Knowing that we were able to help remove that communication barrier at such a critical moment is something I will always be proud of.
Tell us what you enjoy doing outside of work.
Outside of work, I’m a keen DIY enthusiast and enjoy taking on home improvement projects. I’m also passionate about fitness and spending quality time with my twin boys, who certainly keep life busy and entertaining. My gym sessions keep me fit… my love of chicken burgers keeps me humble!
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