London is a bustling city, bursting with a high level of multi-culturalism and diversity - with this, comes numerous different languages that are spoken. So for those that don't speak English, interpreters come into place. The role of an interpreter is to interpret one source language to another target language. This is done either orally or using sign language. This is an interview with a local interpreter: Nasima Kazol.

Q: Hi Nasima, how are you? How long have you been an interpreter for and what language/languages do you interpret?

A: Hi I am good, thank you. I have been interpreting for over 3 years now, and I interpret Bengali to English, and vice-versus.

Q: Can you talk a bit about the type of situations you interpret for?

A: Yes, I interpret for many types of situations - this includes GP and hospital appointments, social worker visits, the police and schools.

Q: Wow, that sounds interesting. What is a day in the life of an interpreter like? 

A: It can be quite varied, but this is a general summary of what a day can be like - I get assigned the type of interpreting scenario I'll be placed in, the approximate duration of the job and its location. I have my own lanyard with my name and job title for identification purposes, which I have to wear for all my bookings. Once I arrive at my job, I speak to the people I am interpreting for, and they tell me what the issue is and what they want to say. Following this, I translate for them, and also translate whatever is said back. I have to say exactly what they say, and cannot paraphrase or omit anything. Interpretations usually last about an hour, but depending on what the situation can last much longer. For example. I have interpreted for over 5 hours before during the birth of a child. 

Q: Very exciting! Thank you so much for giving up your time to give us an insight into being an interpreter in London.

A: Thank you for having me.

For more information about a career in interpreting, visit https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/interpreter