Translation and interpretation services for a socially just world
The pandemic and the current political climate have been an invitation to rethink the way we communicate, learn, build relationships and dream together. Words matter, they can start movements and bring justice. They can educate and uplift a generation that is multicultural and multilingual. I am a social justice minded Spanish <> English translator and interpreter with over a decade of communications experience in the U.S. and Latin America. My work in the fields of journalism, public health, union organizing, community development and program planning and evaluation have helped me thoroughly understand these concepts to translate them into Spanish.
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, and the summer of racial reckoning that followed, I found myself explaining what was happening to both my elderly Spanish-speaking parents and my then two-year-old child. They wanted to know what was going on and they asked me about everything from systemic racism to panic shopping. They wanted answers in Spanish, in terms they could understand. It felt like we had picked up a whole new vocabulary that year. I found myself grasping for the right words and terms to explain these concepts. These words were informing almost every single conversation I was having and yet the Spanish translations available just were not doing it all justice. It missed the mark on using modern Spanish words that are widely understood in the U.S.(not in Spain).
Explaining it all took time and dedication. For instance, the term “grassroots” (as in “grassroots diplomacy”) directly translates to “de base.” But “desde abajo” (which means those below) captures the people whose collective action forms the basis of movements. I knew in those moments that a more nuanced approach was needed–not just among my family but in Spanish-speaking communities at large.
I pull from my vast experience to transform text. Not just from one language into another but to make them accessible, relevant and relatable to Spanish and English readers alike. I enthusiastically apply my varied skill set to promote language equity and encourage a range of audiences to fully participate in movement-building and in their communities.
My career began in print and broadcast communications. I wrote, produced and reported stories about New York's Latinx community at hyperlocal news stations NY1 News and NY1 Noticias. I also wrote and developed digital content on sexual and reproductive health and rights for Spanish-speaking audiences while at Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
I am a mom of two boys and credit my children for inspiring my search for more inclusive ways of being and communicating. I am currently working on a Spanish language children’s book.