Dynamic Equivalence Blog

The recent Global Workforce Survey of Healthcare Interpreters , conducted by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI, 2025), offers a fascinating and critical look at the professionals working in our field. As I reviewed the data, several key findings stood out to me, shaping my understanding of who we are, how we work, and where the gaps in our industry knowledge lie. These are my personal key takeaways from the report: 1. The Dynamic Geographic and Linguistic Landscape The survey demonstrated a broad geographic reach, with respondents hailing from 46 states, the District of Columbia, and other countries  (CCHI, 2025, pp. 7-8). This wide scope is crucial because I know that interpreting practices, standards, and even regulations can differ significantly from state to state and country to country. Within this diversity, the data showed a clear concentration: California was the state with the most respondents ( CCHI, 2025,   p. 7), contributing to the fin...

In the dynamic world of language services, simply being bilingual is never enough. For interpreters and translators working in the US market, continuous professional development isn't just a requirement; it's the foundational pillar of professional excellence and the key to success, especially in the current market. As our industries evolve with new technologies and increasing demands for specialization, how do novice and seasoned professionals continue to elevate their skills? It's about deliberate, targeted development. Here are a few of my suggestions: 1. Advanced Performance and Technique Training This is where the magic happens—refining the very acts of interpreting and/or translating. For Interpreters: We, language professionals, operate in highly specialized ecosystems. Like our counterparts in law, medicine, or consulting, we must continually refine our technical execution. This means specialized workshops on advanced skills .   For example, take courses in consecu...

Pixabay image by Gerd Altmann   An anecdote I often share relates to my personal experience with language proficiency and identity. As a heritage speaker, I sound like a native speaker of two languages, yet language transfers such as unnatural or awkward colocations and grammar can make me sound like a foreigner in both languages.  Early in my education, I made a deliberate effort to improve my linguistic competence and eliminate some of the telltale signs of Spanish heritage speakers, like divergent attainment of the subjunctive and the morphosyntax of agreement (Scontras et al., 2015). I felt I had achieved true bilingualism, and my Spanish AP Exam score of 5 and test exemption from all Spanish college courses validated my feelings.  Shortly after starting my college education, I had an opportunity to serve in the military, where additional testing proved that my mastery of the Spanish language exceeded the minimum requirements of Cryptologic Linguists. I had done it! F...