Brand the Interpreter

Across Continents and Cultures: An Interpreter's Journey with Hemi Pariyani

• Mireya Perez • Season 6 • Episode 100

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Have you ever wondered how a child growing up in Tehran, Iran, speaking Armenian and Farsi, could end up as a well-rounded interpreter in the United States? Well, that’s exactly the fascinating journey our guest, Hemi Pariyani has taken. She started off leading a group of dancers and singers at a summer concert in Iran, and dreamt of becoming a connector and mediator in the world. Her childhood experiences and aspirations, coupled with wide-ranging professional roles—ranging from a British civil engineering company to customer service and leadership roles—have shaped her into an interpreter extraordinaire.

Interpreting isn’t just about language—it’s about culture, nuance, context, and often, advocacy. Hemi Pariyani gives us a deep dive into the intricacies of interpreting for both educated and uneducated speakers of Armenian and Farsi. She shares how she often found herself advocating for her clients, like ensuring a pregnant woman received proper nutrition, and how interpreters must adapt their language and accent to accommodate cultural and geographical variations. Not to mention, the transition from working in a British civil engineering company to freelancing as an interpreter in Oregon, and the unique challenges that came with it.

And if you've ever considered a career in interpreting, Hemi Pariyani’s insights are invaluable. She reveals how liking people is key to success in the field and guides us through practical steps to break into the profession—signing up with agencies, attending webinars, the importance of certification, and more. She even invites listeners to connect with her for potential collaborations. So let’s get ready to embark on a journey across continents, cultures, and languages, with the remarkable Hemi Pariyani as our guide.

Only on the podcast that shares your stories about our profession. Brand the Interpreter!

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Connect with Hemi Pariyani
LinkedIn
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Episode Mentioned:
Indigenous Interpreting with Eulogio Espinoza
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👉 Orange County Department of Education 7th Annual Interpreters and Translators Conference - September 29th and 30th - at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa, California

Conference registration site link: https://link.ocde.us/ITC2023

Join them this Fall at the 2023 Interpreters and Translators Conference to continue your professional learning and networking! Registration is now open!

Share your thoughts about this episode!

Thanks for tuning in, till next time! 👋

Connect with Mireya Pérez, Host
www.brandtheinterpreter.com
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Speaker 1:

Welcome to Brand the Interpreter, the podcast where I share your stories about the profession of interpreting and translation through the captivating stories of experts in the field. I'm your host, mireya Perez, and in each episode, we dive deep into the experiences, challenges and triumphs of our guest speakers who bridge linguistic and cultural gaps on a daily basis. Thank you for joining me today. Today's episode brings us Hemipariani, who grew up in Tehran, iran, speaking both Armenian and Farsi and later picking up the English language in school.

Speaker 1:

Growing up, heminyu, she aspired to be a connector and a mediator to solve problems. She worked in three countries and industries in Iran, austria and the US, with large corporations, banking, higher education and the World Relief Agency in Vienna. Through these experiences, she learned customer service, communication and leadership skills, helping her to become, as she says, a well-rounded interpreter. She has been interpreting for over 30 years and, in 2017, becoming a full-time remote interpreter. Today, she joins the Brand the Interpreter podcast with a call to action. So, without further ado, please welcome Hemipariani to the show. Hemmy, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for being here today. Sure, my pleasure. Thank you. Share with us where you grew up and what a fond childhood memory is of yours.

Speaker 2:

Mireya. I'm, of course, armenian, from Iran, so I'm an Armenian and Farsi interpreter. My nationality is Armenian and I was born and raised in Tehran, iran. My childhood memories, basically, is embedded with my cousins spending with friends. But one thing that helps me to know where I am now professionally is this memory of having coordination and orchestrating a summer concert.

Speaker 2:

So I was about 12, 13 and we were living in a neighborhood that they had children my age, maybe two years older or younger, and I was leading a group of dancers, doing theater and also choir. I learned that from my school so I brought it back to my neighborhood and it was such a challenging time because some children were nine, ten years old. They would summertime, they go swimming and they would sleep or take a nap and I would go after them, knock the door hey, we have rehearsal, we have to practice, and it was so difficult to gather everybody in one place. Boys would just we were practicing, boys would just on their bikes and running away, so I had to go after them.

Speaker 2:

So I took now I realize there's such a leadership and project management requirements and we did it old fashioned way and it was so much fun, lots of work, lots of burden on me because I was feeling responsible and my mom would say why are you sweating on this? This is just supposed to be fun. You're not selling. I said, yes, we are selling tickets for five cents. It's a business. So we and neighborhood parents were so supportive and they came to our concert and it was so much fun. The dance, the choir, everybody was from different culture and we had imagined singing was in different accents. It was wonderful. And I never forget when it was the time for break we had concession table and all these children jumped and grabbed chips or knick knacks and I would say that's where our customers so you had an entrepreneurial spirit from a very young age.

Speaker 1:

It sounds like right. Were you ever considering growing up that you would be involved in the performing arts world? Maybe, as you got older, was that what did you aspire to be when you grew up?

Speaker 2:

I really liked dancing and in fact I started my dancing class so-called with a very professional and prestigious studio. But it was my late teens, but still I just acquired what I really, really dreamed of the setting, the environment, the dressing room, chit-chatting with the girls before we go to the studio, the discipline and getting ready and getting this vibe about getting on stage. I experienced it, but unfortunately it was short-lived, because then the Islamic Revolution started and we had to just scatter and school closed.

Speaker 1:

Wow, yeah, let's talk a little bit further about your childhood, growing up in Iran. Right now, I'm interested in knowing a little bit more about your language combination. So you speak Armenian and Farsi. Were these two languages spoken in the home by your parents? Or talk to us a little bit about that dynamic. How did that look like for you growing up?

Speaker 2:

Well, at the time we didn't have access to the world. We thought everybody lives this way, everybody is bilingual or trilingual. We took it as granted. I was Armenian, so at home we were speaking Armenian, with family relatives, but outside we would go shopping or having Persian friends, we would speak Farsi. And school I went it was a private school that they taught both languages, so we were learning the subjects in Armenian and Farsi, so, for example, the essays in Armenian, essays in Farsi, grammar history, and it was in a way it shaped our personalities, so it became more adaptable to cultures, to people's mindset, and made us more inclusive and accepting others. And that's how I began my journey of languages and it became very easy to transfer.

Speaker 1:

Transfer both languages. You mentioned earlier that the Islamic Revolution had started right around what age for you Do you recall?

Speaker 2:

Yes, I was 19 years old.

Speaker 1:

And share with us, if you can, what that meant for you as a unit, as a family. With that, what was that experience like in terms of you having to move elsewhere, being relocated? What was that like for you?

Speaker 2:

When the revolution started we were just thinking it, oh, it's going to pass, it's one of those political things we see on news. But then it just stayed and we had to again adapt and adjust and it was shocking. It was shocking for all of us and that's why sometimes I believe I'm still 19, because I was frozen in a way, personality-wise, emotionally, spiritually. And when I started feeling the pain was when I saw my friends were leaving. They were leaving the country, they were going abroad, and it was difficult. We were having parties, dances, music, food and everything. Now we can't have that. If we go in a house and having a party, we have to be harsh, quiet and shut the curtains and then stay until next morning because it was a martial law and we weren't able to leave. So it was very difficult. But being young you take everything easy, you kind of take everything fun. Well, that's a change. But the pain for me was basically when I was away from my relatives and my friends. So that made me a different person.

Speaker 1:

Eventually, you did end up relocating and then picking up the English language. Talk to us about that moment in time and what transitioned or what transpired in order for you to begin learning a third language.

Speaker 2:

Well, in English language we were taught at school because when we went to kindergarten they asked you, do you want to pursue English or you want to pursue French? I chose English, so I learned English ever since I was in kindergarten. But as for the grammar and then the essays writing but not as intense as we teach in schools in the US or other English speaking countries. However, I personally liked the language very much, so I went to a special private institute of languages, foreign languages, and I picked up English. So after school I would just take the bus and go to. This was when I was 16, 17, and I would have conversation partners from Australia when they were visiting in our United Kingdom and I would just pay and I just invested it for the language, because in school they teach you the basics. And then, of course, I got very lucky. One of my friends who moved to New York. She said hey, I have a job that I think you'll do better than I do. I said how come? She says your English is better than me?

Speaker 2:

This is a British company and I started my first job with a British civil engineering company and that's how I learned management, administrative aspect of my role and, of course, diplomacy and about how to navigate through cultures, through business, how to correct your mistakes and take accountability for your mistakes. And that's how I learned about business, life and, basically, culture, because this was in an era that war and revolution mixed up and I was working as a young professional and I had to somehow keep the balance to make sure everybody there's a piece, so interpreting correctly and trying to be comfortable with each parties. So that was something that there was no coach, there was no training at the time. So sometimes you become a self-taught professional and I think I was a self-taught professional.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and then, out of all topics, civil engineering, which is it's not just an easy topic or terminology, right, it's not your layman terms, your basic stuff. This is. These are, when it comes to my register. That would be a great example of or rather excuse me technical terminology, that'd be a great example of it, right? Yes, civil engineering, were you working abroad?

Speaker 2:

No, I was in Tehran and this company had an office in Tehran and they were based in London and Reading, england.

Speaker 1:

Eventually, you made your way into something else, though, however, right there, you had more hands-on on this notion of translation. More so, right, talk to us about how that transpired and what that entailed.

Speaker 2:

Yes, at the time when I was working for the company as a secretary and administrative, wearing different types of hats, even ordering tea and coffee for the boss, I had to go through channels, interpret, and so I didn't feel that I am doing this. Like I said, we took it as granted and for translation part of it. Like you said, it was a high register, very difficult terminology. How do I know, 20-year-old, in the mid-stuff, revolution and war, about power stations, about water dams, about huge pipes and all this difficult engineering setup? So we had a professional translator in our office who would translate the material from Farsi to English and from English to Farsi. So we were communicating with Water District in Tehran because this project was coming from government and they were accepting.

Speaker 2:

This project was going on for a long, long time. It wasn't a new project and unfortunately, because of the war and revolution, british had to leave and some contractors left. Therefore it was unfinished on their part. But my role was to look at the translation translating from one language to other. If it didn't make sense line by line, I would ask the translator and we would put our heads together to see how we go about it. If there was terminology, we were kind of confused. We would go to engineers who were English speakers or Farsi speakers. They would open it to us, they would make it sense so we could construct the sentences correctly and I would type and he would edit and we would send it off to whoever the receiver was.

Speaker 1:

Wow, I mean in terms of just the conversation about being self-taught. It's like a lot of the things that you're taught in formal studies, whether it's for translation or interpreting. You're seeing it that you were already applying it, right? You didn't even, I'm sure by then didn't even realize that you were actually doing that, but you did mention that you had a professional translator on site, so you understood that this was a profession by then. Is that my correction? Yes, that, did you understand that this?

Speaker 2:

Yes, oh yes, he went to school for it and he got higher level education for translation. Yes, they had translators in Iran and they had school for translation and interpreting, because movies from Hollywood come and it's the interpreters and translators who translate the language and they put a voice over. That's what it's called, I believe voiceovers.

Speaker 1:

Voiceovers. Yeah, eventually, you made your way to the states and just made your way into freelance interpreting. Right, talk to us about that experience and what brought you to the states first and foremost, and then, of course, how you got started as a freelance interpreter for your specific language combination.

Speaker 2:

Well, I came to the United States because I love the country and I came in a goal to pursue my education and I got married in the state you are in, california, oh really.

Speaker 1:

Yes, I'm a Californian. You got married to a Californian, someone that lived here in California.

Speaker 2:

He was an immigrant, just like me, from Tehran, Iran, but he was here in California. Yes, Then I had my child and I started the work that. It was close to what I studied in Tehran administrative. That was my job In a credit department. I really, really loved my job. Actually, I was sharing with my daughter how much success I had with that business. I was a credit specialist and then I got promoted in no time. At the time I went to Fullerton College to study philosophy and Apple computers, which was very frustrating, very difficult.

Speaker 2:

But I was young and up I had this passion for learning, so you become a little bit ambitious. So, new country, new school, it's cool. Because of it I just started to be successful at work. But when I came to Oregon I started the business completely different to what I used to do. In my infos at Delhi restaurant 7-Eleven business, In downtime I would do interpreting. There was this company that just started in Portland, in her basement actually it was an agency in her basement. So I introduced my 7-Eleven business. She said, yeah, I'll take Farsi and Armenian interpreters.

Speaker 2:

So at the time I would go to OHSU, Oregon Health and Science University, for interpreting and then slowly went to municipal courts and the schools and the hospitals, clinics, you name it all the bundle. And at the time I didn't do much translating, with interpreting, but this was on site. It was my side hustle in a way and it was not my profession. I was an entrepreneur in business or if I were working at a job. For example, I work for a university, I work for a bank, I work for a mortgage company All these roles that I had. Actually, Maria, it helped me to be a well-rounded interpreter, because you interpret for insurance, you interpret for banks, you interpret for school, and all these experiences I captured. At the time I thought, oh, they are dead-end roles. I'm not going to get a career off of this.

Speaker 2:

But, now I think that these experiences were school-hormy. Wow, yeah, it helped me in customer service, in patients, in having compassion towards others and bringing what I learned the calling like when I am on the call, the call, etiquette, call has etiquette. The voice variation, the calmness and mirroring your sound with the person talking, and all these variations helped me to be more patient and deliver the way I am, I believe, ethically, I deliver right and yeah. And then, after 2017, I said hey, why don't I just take this as a full time? And this was about the time that interpreting was booming and I wasn't aware of it, that it's starting to whoo skyrocket and it becomes a billion dollar business now. And I started doing it full time.

Speaker 2:

So I made myself available. I signed up with different agencies, I signed up with Oregon Judicial Court and, as ambitious and competent I am, I am not greedy because I want to keep the balance between job, self-care and business. So therefore, I am happy where I am. However, I like to, of course, develop, learn and cast my nets and expand my territory, and that's always in my mind. But being aggressive about it, no, I'm just more lean back.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, you captured a few things that I do want to circle back to later on in our conversation about how you approach your freelance work, but for now I'd like to talk a little bit about what you saw when you moved to Portland Oregon, when it came to the Farsi or Armenian communities out in Portland Oregon, and what you saw in terms of just how you approach these encounters, because I feel that sometimes when we are working with our language pairs, we are so caught up in that world that we tend to obviously well, not obviously, but I think unintentionally forget that not all cultures are working in the same way or not.

Speaker 1:

Our cultures are approached in the same way. We see this highlighted in interpreting studies or, more so, with interpreting training right, and where they are always sharing how we have to be very aware of the different cultures that we are teaching, interpreting to, because not everything in our ethical code of ethics is black and white, with all cultures that it's going to transfer over and I had a gentleman on the show with an Indigenous language in the past who did talk about just a little bit how different when they are working with that community. It is because they very much rely on you as almost like the advocate, and it's almost like expected for someone from that culture to sort of step in and assist. So this whole like I am your interpreter only is a little bit frowned upon in the community. So I'm just curious to know what your experience was working with these particular communities. What were you seeing were some of their challenges? And then, of course, guide us through how different it is for a Farsi interpreter when you are in the role of the interpreter.

Speaker 2:

Very good question, maria, for my language pair Armenian and Farsi and to English. So it's not a pair. So they are not Indigenous languages. The languages that have literacy and they have history, they are one language. One language that I interpret, which it is Indigenous, is a Dari language which is Afghan speaking, only Afghan speaking speakers.

Speaker 2:

You hardly can find anybody from Iran speaking Dari. They do speak Farsi. So Dari and Farsi very similar, is just a dialect, is just the accent, and if a Dari speaker is one to school, even up to eighth grade, speaking Farsi is no problem. I mean, we get each other. But however, if they don't have literacy, it becomes different because they are speaking, they are using the local vocabulary and you have to just ask for clarifying questions. Or I had to do some research and go to other Afghan speakers and ask them Okay, what does that mean? For example, how do you say certain things? Or even the dates were different, the 12 months of the year, they have a difference. So I have to do my research to write it down. But if they have education a little bit, it's very easy to communicate in Farsi language.

Speaker 2:

So now for Dari, indigenous language. You are absolutely right. They think you are their representative and it's very difficult to say, hey, I'm only here to interpret for you. It's like they feel like, oh, you're a little distant, you're mean, so I just adjust. I believe we should adjust ourselves because, especially the customers or the LEP Indigenous languages from Afghanistan, I do feel compassionate about them. I know what they went through and I mean most of us know what they went through. They are relocated with nothingness and they have to adjust. For example, I was interpreting for a pregnant woman who was in a hotel and she was there for a week. She says I can't eat the food. I don't even know what is it on the tray. I haven't been eating so. And then, and I'm saying what is on the tray, this is on telephone and they say macaroni cheese, this sandwich, that sandwich, ham sandwich. I said well, they don't eat ham, they don't eat pork. And then I had to clarify with this pregnant lady.

Speaker 2:

She says no, no no, I don't eat pork and that's why I'm not eating, because I'm not trusting what is on my plate. So I had to plate advocacy role and say she's pregnant, she needs nutrition, and I'm asking her if it were your country, what would you eat, what would you like? So I had to make a little menu for her. We had to make a little menu for her so she'll get her nutrition. Same with other children.

Speaker 2:

Children were unaware, but then after a month or two, you see them, they're eating pizza, they like it and playing a role of advocacy. It's humane, it's right, it's the right thing to do, especially people who cannot articulate themselves, and you become their voice and we are people's voice in a way. So I believe it is harder. It is more difficult because it's not only the transfer or rendering the information. It's lots of thinking and lots of putting ourselves in their shoes and, for example, I would just say hey, can you just bring some rice? Maybe they can substitute with a little bit of chicken and a little bit of salad to make it more balanced. So which worked Both ways, it was a win-win situation.

Speaker 1:

By the way, the episode for those listeners that are always seeking to go back to whatever episode I'd mentioned, I'll make sure to put it in the episode notes, but it is Indigenous interpreting with Eulogio Espinoza, and he is one of the guests that had mentioned the intricacies of having to work with these specific communities. Now, going back to you, hemi, the question with regards to these pockets of communities for Armenian and Farsi languages, was it different from California to Portland? Did you see more? Did you see less? And what were those needs that you were identifying?

Speaker 2:

Yes, that's exactly the question I have to answer. Yes, I remember. Actually, to be honest with you, armenians who come from different parts of the world because of diaspora, they have to adopt different culture. So if I'm speaking with an Armenian from Armenia, so that's a different type of culture I have to adopt. They use some Russian words and I go oh, here you use the Russian word. I don't know Russian, I'm from Iran.

Speaker 2:

So they have to explain. Or, for example, you cannot get their attitude. The attitude is different because the way we live in different environment, geographical and socio-economical condition, we change and we just being aware of it, being educated about it, it's easy to adapt, say, ok, so this person, I know it's aggressive, so I have to just kind of manage the call. I have to. I'm not saying Armenians from Armenia are aggressive, but I mean, if in case they were, oh, I want the answer. Right now I'm not convinced. So here you play a role of advocacy. Ok, here is the thing. May I explain this to your client? And then this is the process in this country you have to do one, two, three ABC to get there. Or if an Armenian from Beirut or a different Western countries, so I have to adapt my accent or somehow understand their accent in order to communicate.

Speaker 2:

And Armenians from Iran very easy, because they use Farsi. I know Farsi, so I don't say, hey, what was that mean? It is very for me if I were to say, hey, which one which calls you get perfect showtime. This is easy For me. Armenians from Armenia very easy. It's like talking to your neighbor. And Armenians from Armenia is easy too. It's Eastern Armenian. However, there's a little bit of bump here and there which clarifying questions help both sides. They ask me what do you mean by that? So I have to clarify. And for Farsi speakers from Iran very easy. I have no problem.

Speaker 2:

Farsi speakers from Afghanistan however, if, like I said, they do have the education, it becomes easy. And there are times that if they are, oh, I want Daria's speaker interpreter. I don't want her, I don't understand, she's from Iran. And doctor says OK, don't you speak Daria. I say, doctor, allow me to explain. This is the same language, there is an accent. It's like you're going to Ireland. If somebody speaks with a heavy Irish accent, you will understand. This is yeah, ok, then let's do it. And then I tell them you know, lady or sir I speak with, I work with Afghan community. Allow me to proceed.

Speaker 2:

If you're not happy, then I'll get off the phone or I just leave you alone, and 100 out of 100% works.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, did you see a big difference with the pockets of community, of this community between the two states? Did you see a difference? Yes, more or less.

Speaker 2:

I can't really come. It wouldn't be. A comparison would be skewed, because I moved to Oregon 34 years ago. So at the time in California they didn't have. They did. They did have interpreters, for court perhaps, but not as heavy because we didn't have as much immigrants at the time. So I can't really tell. But right now the industry is changed, people are changed and communities are changed. Requirements you are in education, interpreting, you know, and back in the day they didn't have IEPs, they didn't have evaluations that they perform with softwares. So but as far as population, when I first came to Oregon we didn't have much Persian speakers and the only Persians were college students. Actually, I wanted to open a big international store and somebody told me why are you doing that? Don't invest it. These kids are school kids, they don't have money to purchase and they don't have parents here to cook. So why do you want to open a market, food market? And I said okay, then yeah, but now their parents came, their parents, parents came.

Speaker 1:

Oh no, mist opportunity. It's evolved, it's evolved.

Speaker 2:

It's still in the work in progress. It's evolving.

Speaker 1:

Yes, absolutely. I think usually that's the way it works, right? Whatever is happening or is going on in the environment may take or be an element of how communities are sort of shifting right in different areas in different places. So I could, I can only imagine yeah, you've seen some changes. Do you? Do you tend to work more over the phone interpreting or video remote interpreting, or what is your experience currently as a full time interpreter? What are you seeing, mostly that you're getting?

Speaker 1:

The Orange County Department of Education is proud to host their seventh annual interpreters and translators conference September 29th and 30th at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa, california. This conference promotes the incredible work of interpreters and translators, bilingual persons and staff tasked with providing language access in schools and in the community. Know your path. Each step matters. To ensure language access is this year's theme and main focus.

Speaker 1:

Conference sessions and engagements will respond to the core belief that language access is a foundational part of an inclusive and culturally responsive educational ecosystem.

Speaker 1:

Participants will delve into unique opportunities to acquire and refine their skills, learn tips and strategies to enhance their professional practices, keep up to date with the latest trends, laws and expectations, and explore the use of diverse platforms and tools that can streamline their language service efforts.

Speaker 1:

Language access is a priority in public education and, as interpreters and translators working in the K through 12 system are more visible than ever, becoming a substantial part of every educational encounter, it is imperative to professionalize the field through continuous improvement, training, growth and networking. The Orange County Department of Education Language Services team is at the forefront of providing these professional learning opportunities and experiences for its interpreters, translators, bilingual staff, school administrators and community liaisons, and is committed to communicating across cultures to provide meaningful language access to their families, students and the communities they serve. Join them this fall at the 2023 interpreters and translators conference to continue your professional learning and networking. Registration is now open, so head on over to the episode notes to find out more about the interpreters and translators conference hosted by the Orange County Department of Education's Language Services division, taking place September 29th and 30th. Hope to see you there.

Speaker 2:

Mostly I work virtual. However, it's my preference by choice, because I don't have to drive, yeah, and because in the past I did lots of driving. I went to Vancouver, Washington, back to Southeast Portland and go to Northeast Portland, back to Southwest, so zigzagging all over the town and you know these two states. As you know, now the climate is changing but it's a heavy raining states so I don't want to total a car again. So I really appreciate it. But there are times that I really like this human connection, like like human connection in person. So I take the jobs and then if they're calling me, saying hey, any way, they are requiring you. So I don't mind the drive, I go, you want me, I'll go wherever you want me to go.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I think it's beautiful, now that you know there's the opportunity to choose as language professionals, to be able to choose the modality in which we'd like to work. So, and the beauty of being able to choose all of the above right If we so wish to, in person, over the phone, video, remote, and that the agencies have the ability to provide this as an option. I think that's it just. It's. It's a way of seeing how we're able to do our job still do it well, but have options as to how we're going to do it.

Speaker 1:

I think that's. You know, that's one of the great things, especially nowadays. Just in an article about that on on one of the magazines, and they were talking about how the option to provide remote interpreting services just took this huge shift and stayed that way because it existed. It's always existed, right, like for ASL interpreters, the remote interpreting component and over the phone for, you know, spoken languages, has existed. But it's just how, what a huge uptake it took and that it stayed that way for the, for the most part, you know, after the pandemic.

Speaker 2:

I think it just it just comes to show how we're able to provide our services in different modalities, which is yes you know, just to interject, if I may, when I was not working I was between jobs and, like I said, I was taking interpreting assignments here and there and I was doing lots of networking because at the time buzz was networking, networking. You just print your business card and wherever you go here, hello, my name is Sami. This is my business card this is what I do.

Speaker 2:

And my daughter was keep telling me, mom, networking is not working. I said no, you have to get social, you have to go. And she did her part, whatever her industry or path was, and I did mine and, to be honest, I have seen more success with zoom and virtual. I am connecting with people all over the world where, local, we were limited and they don't, because everybody is after getting a job or getting getting a lead, so we were focused on ourselves. But now it's more broad and I really appreciate the opportunity of having virtual communication. This is working.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, no, I totally, I totally agree. It's like the global aspect has has changed the game completely, I agree. And the networking, of course, is that the opportunity to expand beyond, beyond our own borders or boundaries, is just, yeah, it's only expanded opportunities, which is actually a great segue to the next topic I wanted to talk about, which had to do with the networking component of the work when we move to different areas. I can't tell you how many individuals have connected with me to just get ideas as to where they can begin to connect with other professionals because they have moved into a different state and don't know where to start. So did you find that it was easy to you sort of gave us an idea right now, but did you find it easy to connect with other Armenian or Farsi interpreters in Portland Oregon, or what was that like for you?

Speaker 2:

No, no connection. Actually, I think that's what we're lacking all over. I always visualized this that we need to have in each city. You know how. We have career coaching, we have business coaching. We do need interpreter coaches. Yes, we do connect with webinars and we learn and we get a certificate. That's perfect, nothing is wrong. But if something comes up and we need help at the moment, for example, there is this contract, this portion I don't get it. Should I sign it or not? Well, okay, you might have a lawyer and call your lawyer and pass this.

Speaker 2:

Run it by him or her, but there are not too many people have a lawyer right, so we need a hub with professionals who support interpreters. At the times they are either grieving, they have a serious trauma, they need coaches to guide them. We do have societies we can turn to, but we need specific hub or office in each city. It doesn't matter, it doesn't have to be a special hiring, special Somebody like you who is professional and cares for the profession. You could be a member, either a virtual or in person, but we do need that. That's lacking.

Speaker 1:

You know we have to go through research, find somebody and ask one simple question, whereas if you had this office, you would just run it by them, get a validation or your questions answered, yeah, and I think representation of you know the different pockets of languages is absolutely helpful because, like you said, there's the language pieces, one thing, but then combining language with the profession, I agree, is a whole other thing. Right, because now you have very specific examples or situations that you want to share with one another and that only you would understand. I have family members that speak you know my language combinations, but when I bring in the aspect of interpreting specifically, right, they don't know anything about that and so they can't relate or, you know, be able to provide advice or examples or things like that, because two completely separate things.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and you know it's not healthy because we keep it inside until one day we get some clarification or some closure, whereas if we had some, yes, you can turn to colleagues here and there if you know, that's, that's fine. But I'm talking about an office or a hub. For example, I say, hey, I like to connect with a Dari speaker from Afghanistan interpreter to ask certain questions, to ask cultural questions or work related. So I don't have that. I have to research and find one and I'm not sure if they are credentialed or if they are really there following the rules. So I want to make sure I'm speaking with somebody who was somehow validated by the office, or I call it hub. I don't know if it's the right terminology for it, but I think we mostly work in silos and we need that support system.

Speaker 1:

No, I like that. I think that I think hub really does it, at least for me. That I'm a visual learner gives me that visual of what we're really referring to when we talk about these specific, you know just pockets of support that are very, that are very, just, very what's the word I'm trying to use? Very specific to the languages and the industry. I think that, for instance, we see it in the with the ATA. The ATA, the American Transagers Association, does offer for its members I believe you have to be a member, but I'm not sure about that. One would have to do their due diligence to make sure that that's that this is in fact the case. That don't quote me on this, but I believe that you have to be a member and be able to, to be able to be a part of the specific language groups under the ATA.

Speaker 2:

Yes, you need to be a member. Yes.

Speaker 1:

I don't know if you know if it's all languages or if they need people to begin. You know the hub or the club or the. You know that's the big division, language division under ATA, but of course, like you say, that's that's a virtual thing because they can be connected from anywhere. And then during the conference, you know you all have and take part in different discussions, whereas to hear what we're looking for is something on site. You know something in person that maybe you could have, I don't know monthly, bi-monthly meetings right, where you all connect and be able to share things like that.

Speaker 2:

It's important.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it definitely is important, especially, I feel like, when you're having, maybe, conversations about resources. In particular, I'm thinking about currently a situation you know, different languages and different area, but with refugee situations out in San Diego, when that was when that was happening, and I know that you know it was the Arabic speaking community that was getting together, not necessarily with interpreters or trained interpreters, but there were Arabic speakers and they were just in need and in dire need of more interpreters because of what was happening and all those situations. And so I feel like they potentially that group because it's usually nonprofit organizations that are putting together the support services and being able to tap into those resources Imagine what it would be like if they knew that there was a local hub right of interpreters that they could potentially say hey, I'm going to connect with Hemi, because Hemi, you know, she coordinates the Farsi side.

Speaker 2:

you know something like that, yes.

Speaker 1:

I can completely see the benefit of something like that.

Speaker 2:

And you know, agencies could benefit too. For example, they text me hey, Hemi, we need somebody, do you know anybody? Yeah, exactly, and it would help them to recruit as well.

Speaker 1:

So very true. Now that currently does not exist, I take it out in Portland, oregon, or have you created something?

Speaker 2:

We do have a society of interpreters and translators, which is a wonderful group, and they do have annual conferences, wonderful support system. What I'm talking about is a day to today based situation. Somebody who would be available by text, by phone, somebody who, hey, you know, I have this situation. For example, I have this ill feeling. Can you just talk to me for a little bit, or can you come online? Let's zoom and just sort out to see if he can come up with a better decision, because, yes, like I said, we do take webinars and we can improve, but how would you last time, I think, when I was speaking with you at this job, I am missing performance reviews. I like to have a performance, some kind of a grading system, so I can see somebody else's perspective get a feedback.

Speaker 1:

That's so important. Yes, absolutely. I actually am in the middle of diving into a textbook that just recently came out, and they talk about the performance, the self evaluation and the importance of feedback for the interpreter. So, yeah, that would be completely interesting to dive into and probably something that you might even enjoy as well. It's a pretty big book, though.

Speaker 1:

So, yeah, let's get into just a little bit then, hemi, because you did have experience with so many different types of businesses, and I really like the fact that you said that you brought in those experiences and it just made you a very well rounded professional interpreter, with all the different knowledge that you bring in from all the different sectors that you were able to be a part of. But I think that one of the things that a lot of freelance interpreters, particularly those that are just starting, are always interested in knowing how to get started, and you mentioned something very important in the beginning of your story, which had to do with putting your name out in different places. So if you were to give a brand new interpreter some advice on how to begin as a freelance interpreter, what would be, now that you've done it for so many years? What would be those recommendations that you would give them to help them get started in this profession.

Speaker 2:

I would say get a friendly coach, somebody who's in the business for quite some time, and they can give you honest feedback and help you. So I'm not saying pay them. You know there are lots of professions that they can do this voluntary Like a mentor, like a mentor, so this person can set goals for you.

Speaker 2:

And, first and foremost, you have to like the profession. Just because you speak the language and probably you're very good at it, it doesn't make you a good interpreter or even a translator, because this profession, like doctors, it comes from heart. You have to feel it, you have to sense it. The doctors feel the pain of the patient. That's why they can diagnose, they understand and, of course, the science behind it. And this profession also has science as well, the science of communication and human relations. So you have to like people.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, please, please, like people. Yeah, I love that. I was trying to pause there because it was such an important message I didn't want to interrupt, but I like that, please like people. I mean at the very basic.

Speaker 2:

And yeah, if you put the money before people, then this is not a good route to go. I suggest pick something else.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, great point. What about in terms of getting your name out with different agencies as opposed to just going to one?

Speaker 2:

Yes, Once you have the coach coach, of course we'll just show you the path. Sign up with the agencies. They will test you out and then learn, learn as much as possible. There are lots of free webinars, they can introduce them and, of course, they can work on their language professions. And signing up with the language agencies is first step that everybody took because we are like where do I go? How do I start?

Speaker 2:

In a conference last June somebody approached me. She said I'm from California, I want to do interpreting and I said well, you came to judicial court interpreting. So have you done interpreting? She says no, who are you interpreting for? She says I want to be a judicial court interpreter. So she basically was learning and she paid for the conference and she was there to learn. And another conference we had with health interpreters and another person during lunch was talking and sharing with me that I like to pursue and, because she was local, I was able to introduce her to some people and I gave the name of and wrote it down, the name of the agencies and a napkin that she can call them, research them, go online and put application.

Speaker 2:

So that's the first step, but first they have to know themselves. Do I want to do this? There is a driving involved. There is cost involved at the beginning because we don't make money, and I lost lots of money when I started. By the time I came to my assignments and came home, I made $5. Wow, all day after work. What if I work somewhere for eight hours? I mean more than that. But because I like the profession, I just put my heart into it and I didn't mind. But now hopefully I will reap the benefits of it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and you bring up a great point. Actually, if you are starting in the field and you're trying to get your name into these different agencies as an interpreter, be mindful as well as to who you're applying with, because if it's a company that is only requiring you to speak two languages and they say that that's enough, then I would say run the other way, because it is not enough and they should be requiring either that you are trained or are providing some training themselves. To the interpreters. I would say, at the very minimum, at least 40 hours before you begin something. But I would say just be, do your due diligence in finding agencies that are reputable and that are not going to do something like that, like send you out to a site and then by the time that you get back, it's like you've only made $5. And then they take like 45 days to pay you your $5.

Speaker 2:

Don't go with those companies. Well, in this industry, maria, it's changed a lot. Remember, I said I had a business, a restaurant business. I had an employee who was Armenian and she was at the time 19 years old. She just came from Armenia, probably from airport, and she realized that I'm doing interpreting. And she says I can do Armenian and Russian interpreting. I said go for it. And she hired her. And then one day I asked her OK, how do you know terminologies from Russian to English? She says I just showed those parts of body. That's how they hired at the time. But now you have to be registered, you have to be qualified, certified. So thank God it's changing.

Speaker 1:

Yeah for sure, definitely. I feel like the standards and requirements for interpreting agencies, I think, have our higher standard and I think if you're working with a reputable hopefully you are agency, you won't experience any of these things. But sadly, as is the case with any field, it's not just interpreting. You may encounter someone that is calling themselves an agency and are doing things like that. Now, those are the things that they should not be doing. So that's why I'm saying, if that's what you see, that is not a company you want to align yourself with just so that you can make a quick buck, because it's very likely that you'll end up in a situation that is very uncomfortable and then, of course, unfair for the person that is expecting a quality, trained interpreter to show up and that isn't the case. So, yeah, just be mindful of that. I think all of those are excellent Hemi pieces of advice for an individual that is wanting to start.

Speaker 1:

I'd also like to take the opportunity to sort of do a call to action for any listeners out there who are either Farsi speaking or Armenian speaking or know of someone that would like to connect directly with Hemi, that they go on to the episode notes and make that connection and see if, potentially, that's something that could occur, beginning maybe with one state or just virtually in the meantime, so that something like that could be in the works, because I think that everything that you touched on today is super important.

Speaker 1:

Having that network of professionals that are at our reach whenever it is needed, I think is super important. And, as I mentioned earlier, we've talked about this situation with the vicarious trauma We've talked about compassion fatigue in prior episodes as well in which individuals, because we work in silos for the most part, day in and day out, just don't really think about reaching out to someone, whereas if we know that that network exists, that we're able to eventually connect with them and lean on them for support. And it doesn't necessarily have to be on the negative, it could also be just on the learning aspect, exactly, I mean what were the stories?

Speaker 1:

for this part. I came across this term today and I had a hard time with it, or something of this sort, anything else, hemi, that you would like to share with this particular audience as a Farsi interpreter, that you would wish to share and that individuals knew?

Speaker 2:

Well, as an interpreter in whole, my message is interpreting is a profession, one of the professions that once we see each other, there is an affinity, there is a connection, we kind of get each other and we are easily bonded. Why don't we expand this bonding and help each other and become a bodress for somebody else, such that they could have better understanding of teamwork, because we are a missing team. We are my team is my cat. So by having more connection and having the affinity and camaraderie and confidence. So if I'm calling or if you're calling somebody, you know you trust them, it's not because they want to take away your job, because we are not in the business of competition, we are in the business of communication. Actually, this is not my words. It's an interview they had with Mikhail Baryshnikov, the dancer choreographer. He said dancing is form of art and we are expressing ourselves and interpreting is form of art as well. I think we are expressing ourselves in words. Expressing others in words, it's even harder.

Speaker 1:

Even harder, exactly Now. That's a great message. I think that when we look at it through that lens of the work, that we're actually for who we're doing our work, as opposed to this scarcity mentality that if I talk to him of the same language, I'm going to lose work, I think our profession is even more richer if we're able to make those connections and network in that way that we become better not only as individuals but as professionals, because of how we will be providing our work, because now we're sharing ideas and we're sharing resources. We're just becoming like you said earlier, hemmi a well-rounded professional. So I thank you very much, hemmi, for the opportunity to be able to share your story and your experiences and, of course, your advice. For anyone out there that is interested in making that connection with Hemmi, please go on down to the episode notes and she will have or rather I will have the link to how to be able to connect but share with our listeners, if you will, where they can find out more about you and the work that you do, hemmi.

Speaker 2:

They can find me on LinkedIn, etchperiani, and I also have email, etchperianiaolcom. Wonderful, thank you so much. Of course, my pleasure. Have a wonderful summer.

Speaker 1:

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's episode. Remember to share it with your colleagues and friends or on social media, and if you share it on social media, remember to tag me. If you're listening to this podcast on Spotify or Apple podcast, please give it an honest rating. It really helps the show tremendously. Lastly, if you or someone you know has been making a difference in the language professionals community and would like to be a guest on the show, head on over to my website, brandyinterpretercom, and fill out a guest form. Until next time,

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Mireya Pérez

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