This is me | Sara the Interpreter
Behind @saratheinterpreter there is Sara García, a freelance interpreter and translator who takes great joy in communicating your message in English and Spanish.
Typically, I am the one interpreting others. Let’s try out, for a minute, a different exercise. Now it is your turn to interpret me.
Behind @saratheinterpreter there is Sara García, freelance interpreter and translator. Born and raised in Argentina, I now live in Spain. My working languages are Spanish (A language, my mother tongue) and English (B language, into which I interpret regularly).
The academic degrees hanging on my wall remind me of my training milestones. First, graduating as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language, and then as a translator. This was followed by my training in conference interpreting and, more recently, the completion of my Master’s degree in Medical and Healthcare Translation.
Like any self-respecting linguist, the expression “jack of all trades, master of none” is not really my thing, and so I specialize in medicine, health sciences, wellness, agriculture, social justice, gender equality, business, marketing, technology and innovation.
What is the point of outstanding academic education without vocation, though?
The Sara you are seeing on your screen was born to communicate, whether in written or spoken form. My mission is to facilitate dialogue in the languages of those who are listening. The languages their dreams, hopes and ambitions resonate with.
At this point you may be wondering, “Everybody speaks English and Spanish. What makes you special?”
Many people think that language is only about word choice, a notion that could not be further from the truth. In addition to linguistic competence, translation and interpreting are closely linked to the culture of your audience and the intended communicative goal. Is what I am saying making any sense? Does it make sense in the target culture? Should I adapt that cultural reference so that nobody in the Spanish audience raises an eyebrow?
And then there’s conveying all that live. A good interpreter needs to be prepared for managing barrages of numbers, interruptions, unexpected language swerves, sound issues, inside jokes, and more—all happening almost simultaneously at lightning speed.
Honestly, I love these ensembles. Carrying ideas from one language system to another and then back again. The thrill of unraveling the journey, analyzing the pieces of the puzzle and bringing them all to their destination—no mishaps in the process.
Add to that the adrenaline surging as soon as the mic is on, and the entire process is absolute magic. And let me assure you that what the audience hears on their end is coherent, pleasant and relevant.
So, if you are looking for a trained conference interpreter who is fluent in English and Spanish for your next medical conference, technical training session, on-site, hybrid or online, all roads lead —you guessed it— to Sara.
Now let’s talk business. If I have piqued your interest, but you still have questions, you can reach out to me on my Contact page.
If you already know I will be perfect for your project, I am just an email away.
By the way, I notice you are still reading. There is more. Surely what you least expected to see here is an interpreter turned vlogger. Instagram vlogger, in fact (still coming to terms with the term ‘influencer’!).
Anyway, yes, I am a video content creator as well.
@saratheinterpreter was born as a way to document the intricacies of the profession, ranging from the prominent features of an assignment to the potential hiccups and challenges interpreters may stumble upon along the way. Language riddles, the terror of speakers’ microphones not working at the last minute… The life of an interpreter is filled with unforeseeable events, which make it all worthwhile when you narrate them with a dash of humor.
Go ahead, enjoy this journey across one of the best professions out there!
Contact me
FAQs
What type of interpreting do I need?
Choosing an interpreting mode depends on the type of work required. For example, for a brief interview or press conference, consecutive interpretation is ideal. For symposiums, conferences or longer press conferences, simultaneous interpreting is usually the norm.
How many interpreters per meeting?
The duration of the event guides a lot in finding an answer to this question. It is always advisable to hire two interpreters, who will take turns being the active interpreter, thus guaranteeing the best results during symposiums, conferences or longer meetings.
As a professional conference interpreter, I am used to working in the booth with a partner, so I always have a network of fellow interpreters on hand with whom to work.
Let’s work out the details of your event and find the right service for you.
What mode of interpreting services do you provide?
On-site and remote. I have experience using platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams, KUDO, Boostlingo or WebEx, among others.
If you use a dedicated software for your online meetings, let me know and we will find the best way to cater to your company’s language access needs.
Can I book online interpreting services?
Of course! In fact, online interpreting —or remote interpreting— is one of my areas of expertise, which is why I am fluent in a variety of RSI platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams, KUDO, Boostlingo, WebEx, etc.
What variety of Spanish do you use?
Excellent question. The variety of Spanish that “normally comes out” when I am interpreting is a Latin American variety. I have an Argentine accent (I was born and raised in Argentina), and in professional settings I typically use the forms “tú/usted” and “ustedes”, as appropriate, to establish different levels of formality between the communicative parties involved as required by the communicative situation.
However, linguistic variety involves several other layers besides grammar and accent (and requires several extra paragraphs to elaborate!). Therefore, whenever there is information available about the target audience, my goal is to use the vocabulary that makes the most sense to them—for example, saying “fresas” in Mexico and Spain or “frutillas” in Argentina to describe strawberries.
My point being—trust me, you are in very good hands. I have been the voice of people from all corners of Spain and Latin America (and their language specificities) for years. When it comes to language varieties, every interpreting assignment for a Spanish-speaking audience has shown me there is far more bringing us together than pulling us apart.
What about payment methods?
Services can be paid for by bank transfer, Wise, PayPal, depending on what your preferred payment method is. Keep in mind that transfer fees apply to some of these platforms, so alternatives such as Wise may be more cost-effective.
If these answers have been useful to you and you are looking for the right interpreter for your event, you know where to find me.
Let’s talk!