The Linguist’s Story – November

Every month, we get to know a bit more about one of our linguists. This month, meet Candy Isufi, an interpreter working in Greek.

Tell us about the work you do for TLS

I interpret for the Greek community using a variety of services. My role as an interpreter is to render the meaning and feeling of what is said into another language in the appropriate register and style, in a range of settings. These include hospitals, GP practices, schools, workplaces and conferences but also from the comfort of my own sofa as I have been doing for the past year, since I no longer live in London.

What’s been your favourite project at TLS?

To be honest it’s quite hard for me to choose between two great experiences, so I’ll mention both.

One of my favourite projects at TLS was when I would interpret for the Memory service in Enfield. The professionals there, were always so friendly and it would just brighten my day to hear lovely comments from both, clients and elderly people I was helping then. Oh God I miss that place!

Now as for my second favourite project, I must say was when I took on the role as an assessor and was called to the TLS offices in Newham. That gave me the opportunity to meet some of the lovely faces who are hidden behind the voices I many times speak to on the phone.

What has been your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge I’d say was travelling and managing to get to work on time. Back in London, when I used to attend F2F bookings for TLS it came with its pros and cons. The pro was that I’d get to see the people in person. Now, the con was that I don’t drive so I was often having to run to catch buses or stay on them in traffic for ages.

Can you tell us about a time your work has made a difference to someone’s life?

Each and every time I attend assignments, I feel my work makes a difference to all of those people’s lives as I’m building that bridge of communication between the professional and the service user. But there is one time that stands out for me and it’s when a young person’s life was potentially in danger. My presence made a very positive impact as the patient felt that they could freely express themselves in their own native language. That I believe made their journey towards recovering from their mental illness so much smoother.

Tell us something interesting about you

Since I was a child, I had an aspiration to become a doctor but also loved learning foreign languages. I believe my role as an interpreter, in a way, combines both of my interests. As I am using and improving my foreign language skills whilst in the meantime gaining so much knowledge in the medical field – this is why I am considering pursuing a career in child psychology in the future. It’s never too late to chase your dreams!