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.