The Language Worker

Interpreting is one of those jobs in the language Industry that are becoming more and more talked about.I invited Doris Pingi, an OPI - Over the Phone Interpreter - because I think it's about time to bring this profession to the forefront.I heard about it for the first time almost 20 years ago, while living in California, one of my clients was looking for OPIs to create a new team that would cater the needs of Portuguese speakers who needed linguistic support in the US.Talking to Doris was an amazing opportunity to learn more about this very particular skill from the point of view of someone who lives and breaths Language and Emotional intensity while living her professional dream.Buckle up, this gets real and intense.

This episode I bring together a language industry veteran and a software developer to explore how WordBox came about and how it changes the way we collect and truly learn new words in any language. Paul shares his early beginnings in the language space, reflecting on how his first steps in the industry shaped his life. Kirill talks about leaving Russia and moving to Barcelona, how that move changed his relationship with languages, and how the two of them eventually met there and now work side by side on WordBox to support learners around the world. They talk about how WordBox becomes a single, safe home for every unfamiliar word you want to keep. WordBox lets learners add words manually, via AI, or by exchanging lists with others, then dive into meanings, examples, synonyms, antonyms, and pronunciation, and finally review everything through flashcards, short-story contexts, and exercises.

Have you thought about the biggest trends shaping the language industry in 2026? I will break down four key trends that every freelance language professional and every LSP or content-focused company needs to watch closely this year: tech integration, collaboration, expansion, and deep knowledge.You will hear how increased tech integration and interactive learning tools are changing how linguists and companies work, train, and deliver multilingual content at scale. Rita explains why collaboration is accelerating, from LSP mergers to groups of freelancers forming “pretend companies” that stay independent while pooling resources, niche expertise, and capacity. This video also explores expansion: freelancers and companies diversifying services (subtitling, e-learning, game localization) and actively targeting new markets and direct clients around the world.If you are a freelance translator, subtitler, localization specialist, LSP owner, or a company relying on multilingual communication, this 2026 outlook will help you make smarter decisions about skills, services, and partnerships. Watch until the end, share your thoughts in the comments, and use these trends to position yourself or your organization for long-term success in the language business.

It’s fascinating to discover the stories behind the people we “only” bump into on social media. For years I knew that Rosário was the driving force behind Sintagma, but we had never actually sat down to talk calmly about how everything happened behind the scenes – and it was definitely worth the wait. In this episode, I sit down with Rosário Valadas Vieira, founder and director of Sintagma, one of the key names in subtitling and audiovisual translation in Portugal. We talk about her journey, how Sintagma was born, how the Portuguese multimedia industry has grown and reinvented itself, and how streaming platforms have transformed subtitling, dubbing and accessibility work. If you work with languages, audiovisual content, localisation, or dream of subtitling films and series, this conversation takes you right into the real backstage of the Portuguese market and shows you, without filters, the skills it needs today.

In this episode of The Language Worker, discover the inspiring path of Ana Dias, a legal translator who transitioned from practicing law to working full-time in translation—without ever leaving her legal background behind. Ana shares how a law degree became a powerful asset in her translation career, how she learned translation in practice, and why legal reasoning, precision, and cultural awareness are essential in her daily work. She also talks about diversifying beyond legal texts into sustainability, hospitality, and marketing, using creativity and curiosity to grow as a professional. This conversation is packed with insights on specialization, client relationships, word‑of‑mouth referrals, continuous learning, and the importance of intellectual humility for translators and interpreters.

In this episode, I talk to Sara Reis, a specialist in creative translation, content writing, and linguistic solutions for tourism, marketing, and lifestyle brands. Explore Sara’s journey from childhood word lover to launching her own studio that fuses linguistic excellence with aesthetic design! Discover honest insights about building a brand, graphic design for translators, networking, and finding your niche in an evolving industry. With inspiration for freelancers and language professionals alike, this conversation proves why creativity and translation truly are two faces of the same passion.

This episode of The Language Worker Podcast features translator Laura Jones, who specializes in French, Spanish, and Welsh to English, as well as English to Welsh translation. Laura shares her unique insights and experience working with clients in the beauty, travel, and lifestyle industries—exploring how translation and proofreading can enhance brand storytelling and resonate with target audiences across cultures. Listeners will discover how Laura crafts engaging and authentic content that reflects brand personalities, as well as practical advice for linguists entering the world of luxury, fashion, and lifestyle translation. The episode also highlights community-building among translators, the challenges of working in specialist industries, and the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the ITI Beauty, Fashion and Luxury Network.This episode offers valuable perspectives for translators, freelancers, and anyone interested in effective multilingual communication within the luxury, fashion, and lifestyle sectors.

After other adventures in the area of Language Services, William Hartley created his company Certling.Certling is reshaping the way you access certified translations for your study, work, and immigration needs.Gone are the days of lengthy processes and high costs. With Certling, it's as simple as a few clicks to get your certified translation. The platform streamlines the entire experience, from instant quotes to rapid delivery. No more waiting weeks for essential documents.

As a woman in the Language Business myself, I feel it’s very important to showcase the work other fellow women who have been forging the path for present and future generations of girls to understand how powerful they are.I thought it would great to have two women who have their own companies to share their experience and also the ins and outs of their specific fields – Life Sciences and Fashion/Beauty.Mafalda Cortes PereiraMafalda is the Managing Director at MULTIvertentes, a LocLunch Ambassador, and manager at Women in Localization (Portugal) Tiziana BottoneOwner of Translate With Style, dedicated to Language services for beauty and fashion brands with a creative touch, and manager at Women in Localization (Madrid).

After talking meeting in person months ago and talking many times about recording a podcast episode, here’s the result of our fun, lighthearted conversation!Jan Hindrichs wears many hats in the language industry and has a strong social media presence.As the Founder and CEO of Beluga, Jan has spent over two decades helping fast-growing SaaS companies and global brands expand their reach across borders through expert localization strategies and language technology solutions. Beluga is more than just a localization provider and offers a boutique approach that ensures quality, speed, and adaptability.Jan is also the founder of LocLunch—a global community of localization professionals and enthusiasts. What began as a grassroots movement is now a vibrant, international network that fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and friendships across the globe.

Women in Localization (W.L.) is the leading professional organization for women in the localization industry with thousands of members globally. Its mission is to foster a global community that inspires professional equality in the localization industry and supports women through all phases of their careers. Started in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2008, W.L. has expanded its membership to include women across the globe, encouraging members to meet in other local geographies.Many Chapter have been created recently and I decided to invite my fellow volunteers to talk about this adventure in Portuguese.Thank you Marta Boer, Helena Sanhudo and Dulce Vaz.

Agata SzubstarskaAgata is the Managing Director - Europe at Summa Linguae and we have recently met in person for the first time in the Women in Localization event in Lisbon.Getting to know Agata better has been an absolute pleasure and I really wanted to learn more about her background and role in her current company.Madhu SundaramurthyMadhu is the Global HR Director & MD - APAC and we are meeting for the first time in this episode. Agata talked highly about Madhu we will all understand why after listening to her talking about the language industry in the most passionate way! Summa Linguae TechnologiesSumma Linguae is a language and technology service provider headquartered in Poland with 7 offices located across North America, Europe, and Asia. They specialize in technology-enabled localization, managed services, and data solutions. With the intent on transforming the traditional approach to language, Summa Linguae is one of the industry's fastest-growing companies.Their promise is to help global, content-rich companies with every multilingual data challenge. To learn more about Summa Linguae Technologies, our journey, and the solutions we offer, visit: https://summalinguae.com/.

The ITI Beauty, Fashion and Luxury Network is a specialist group open to all translators and interpreters working in all language combinations in these fields. Language professionals who do not specialize in these areas but have a general interest and would like to learn more are also welcome. The aim is to build a friendly and supportive network where translators and interpreters specializing in beauty, fashion and luxury goods can share their knowledge and expertise, as well as relevant opportunities in these fields, through different online and in-person events.I had the pleasure of talking to 3 ITI members about their experience:Laura Jones:Laura works from French, Spanish and Welsh into English and English into Welsh. She helps clients in the beauty, travel and lifestyle industries with their English and Welsh translation and proofreading needs, providing content that is engaging and relevant to their target audience while effectively reflecting their brand’s personality. Francesca Gatenby:Francesca has 13 years of experience in the Translation, Transcreation and Localization sector (German & French into English). She also offers bilingual editing and monolingual proofreading services, plus cultural adaptation from American to British English. Natasha Forgione:Natasha works from Italian, Spanish and French into English and has a background in education, translation, spirituality and marketing.