The linguist’s story – June ’25
Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month we meet Rita Gurung, an interpreter working in Nepali.
Tell us about the work you do for TLS.
I am a Nepali interpreter with almost 12 years of professional interpreting experience in the UK. At TLS I do face to face, telephone and video interpreting.
What’s been your favourite project at TLS?
Video interpreting has been my favourite project with TLS. TLS uses video calls for many of their NHS bookings. I find it an efficient way to work because it creates a similar face to face environment for both the clients and interpreters. In addition, it increases my availability as an interpreter so I can help many people in the community from the comfort and safety of my home.
What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me is not having the time to take all the bookings that are offered, I would take more on if I could!
Can you tell us about a time your work has made a difference to someone’s life?
When it comes to making a difference to someone’s life, I truly believe that I am the one on the receiving end. The sense of joy and reward I feel each time I have helped people communicate between the two different languages, Nepali and English, is immense. What seems ordinary externally is in fact so complex internally. Different spoken languages can be a barrier of communication between people. As an interpreter I get the opportunity to break that barrier each time I turn up for a job so the people in need can be helped.
Tell us something interesting about you.
I was born in Hong Kong in a Nepali household and grew up speaking Nepali since birth, while learning English in school. I remember using both my mother tongue, which is Nepali, and English since my primary school years. Growing up, not only was I a speaker of two languages but I was also my mother’s interpreter by default, because my mother did not speak English and many in our community only spoke English. Translating letters in English, accompanying her for shopping, hospital appointments, attending school meetings etc were also my “extracurricular activities” outside of school. With maturity, proper education and expertise in the field of interpreting, coupled with ongoing day to day life and work experience, I have gained so much from my vocation I cannot be thankful enough. I am grateful now that I am with TLS and I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them.