Every month, we introduce you to one of our team. This month, meet Helga, one of our freelance interpreters, working in Portuguese and English.
1) Tell us about the role you do for TLS
I’ve worked as an interpreter for The Language Shop for over a decade. My role is to facilitate, through interpreting, the communication between an English speaker and a non-English speaker in different settings like the National Health Service, Police, Education etc.
2) What’s been your favourite project at TLS?
My favourite project at The Language Shop was interpreting with Shelter. I really felt that I was supporting people at very vulnerable times in their lives while they’re going through homelessness, distress and mental affliction.
3) What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge of an interpreter is unpredictability. Every assignment is different so as an interpreter it’s necessary to be adaptable to any kind of settings such as courtrooms or out and about in the community. Also, to be mindful and alert.
4) If you didn’t do your current job, what would you like to do ?
If I was not working as an interpreter I would have been a fashion designer.
5) Tell us something interesting about you.
Something interesting about me is that I like playing table tennis.
6) If you could meet someone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could meet someone it would be Oscar Wilde. He was true to himself, creative with words and with his style too. He was an influencer of his time. I think I could learn and laugh a lot with him, what a great mind.
7) What are your ambitions for the rest of the year?
In the next 12 months I am planning to do further studying in translating so that I can improve my skills as an interpreter.
If you would like to be profiled, or know someone else who would, please get in touch by emailing zainub.patel@newham.gov.uk
