By Ludmila Duchini
Meet Ludmila Duchini, a 24-year-old language professional from Argentina whose journey into the world of interpreting began with a deep appreciation for literary translation. Initially immersed in the written word, Ludmila realized she craved more real-time interaction and dynamic communication. Her path took a pivotal turn during college when a subject on interpreting sparked her interest and led her to pursue it professionally after completing her translation studies.
Ludmila holds three degrees from Universidad del Salvador in Argentina: literary and scientific translation, sworn translation, and conference interpreting.
The Many Faces of Interpreting
One of the things I love most about interpreting is its variety. I enjoy both remote and in-person assignments, although I tend to do more simultaneous interpretation, which I prefer.
In-person, I often handle consecutive interpretation—typically for meetings where people from different backgrounds can’t communicate directly. I love these because you meet new people, travel to new places, and learn so much.
Remotely, I mainly do simultaneous interpretation. It’s intense because you’re listening, processing, and speaking at the same time. You need to be in sync with the speaker, find the right words, and maintain proper grammar in another language—all while under pressure. But I enjoy the adrenaline. It’s challenging, yes, but also incredibly rewarding.
The Subtleties of Simultaneous Work
In simultaneous interpretation, the audience hears only you—not the original speaker. That comes with a lot of pressure because you become the speaker’s voice and carry their message. Improvisation, synonyms, and split-second decisions are part of the job. But when everything clicks and the audience understands the message? That’s fulfilling.
Line of sight and body language also play a huge role. A simple sentence can have different meanings depending on tone and gestures. That’s something AI can’t grasp, which is why human interpreters remain essential.
Of course, what makes that kind of real-time performance possible is preparation—lots of it.
Behind the Scenes: Preparation is Everything
Every interpreting role demands a deep level of preparation. Whether it’s legal, technical, educational, or business-related, I always do my homework. For technical or engineering sessions, I focus on terminology—sometimes even words I don’t know in Spanish, let alone English. I always aim to be as prepared as possible because someone’s message—and sometimes their future—depends on it.
You cannot walk into a session without preparation. It’s about understanding the speaker’s objective and making sure you help them fulfill it. Even if the subject isn’t familiar, I make it my business to know it.
Professional Versatility and Role Play
All that groundwork allows me to step into vastly different worlds, often switching roles from one assignment to the next.
One of the most fascinating things about interpreting is the way you inhabit different professional worlds. In a business meeting, I can feel like a stakeholder. In a training session, I become a teacher. In a factory, I’m suddenly an engineer. It’s like acting—you shift roles depending on the context, and that keeps the work fresh and exciting.
There’s a lot going on mentally during interpretation. You’re thinking of words, processing structure, adjusting tone, sometimes even managing people talking over one another. But this professional role play allows me to step into experiences I’d never have access to otherwise, and I love that.
Interpreting Across Disciplines
Interpretation is never one-size-fits-all. Each domain comes with its own expectations, emotional tone, and knowledge requirements. Whether it’s a courtroom, a classroom, a factory floor, or a business boardroom, the role of an interpreter shifts dramatically depending on the context. Below are some examples of those shifts and what makes each space unique.
Legal Contexts: Impartiality and Preparation
I’ve worked in legal interpretation, mainly for workers’ compensation hearings, always remotely. It’s emotionally challenging, especially when you hear painful or incriminating testimonies. Remaining impartial is crucial. Even when I disagree with a statement or feel emotional, I have to stay neutral. We’re trained for this—not always formally, but every professor I had hammered it in: you are there to communicate, not to judge.
Preparation is key. You research laws, vocabulary, and the context of the case. You memorize names, read up on HR practices, and familiarize yourself with the legal jargon of that specific state. Because sometimes, someone’s future hinges on your accuracy.
Interpreting Technical Worlds
Technical and engineering interpretations are a whole different world. I did one in a factory here in Argentina, walking through machines and explaining their functions. Another time, I worked with a machine that produced ice cream cones! It’s fun, but requires deep prep. Sometimes, I hear a word in Spanish and don’t even know what it means—so I have to learn it in both languages. Each assignment comes with its own set of terms and technical language, so I make sure to study and research thoroughly beforehand. The speaker’s goal is what matters, and you have to help fulfill it, even if the topic isn’t familiar.
Navigating Unknown Words
Not knowing a word is inevitable. You rely heavily on context. If the word isn’t essential, you move on. But if it is—especially in a consecutive setting (when the speaker pauses so you can interpret after they speak) you can ask the speaker for clarification. It’s okay to admit you don’t know a word. Honesty helps, and it’s better than guessing.
Just as words can surprise you, so can the environments we interpret in—especially in education and business settings.
Education and Business: Roles and Realities
Education-related interpretations are some of my favorites. I did one for a short marketing course by a professor from Texas. It was important for the students to understand everything because they were earning a certification. The connection between the professor and the students, knowing I facilitated that, was so motivating.
Compared to subtitles, having a live interpreter offers warmth and interactivity. Tone, emotion, and the chance to ask questions in real time make a big difference.
In business contexts, especially high-stakes meetings, things can get chaotic. People talk over each other. That’s frustrating. But interpreting is also like acting. In those moments, I become part of the meeting, like a stakeholder. I also try to change my tone depending on who I’m voicing, just to help the audience follow along.
Cultural translation is another layer. Sayings, jokes—sometimes they don’t have a direct translation. You need to improvise and convey the same meaning, even if the words change. What matters is that the audience gets the intended message.
Language Nuances: Spanish Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Spanish varies widely across Latin America and Spain. A word in Spain might mean something totally different in Argentina. So I research the audience’s origin and aim for a neutral tone unless I know it’s a local crowd. Keeping language neutral ensures better understanding.
Spanish also tends to be more wordy than English, which can be tricky in live interpretation. You have to simplify to keep up with the speaker.
Why Human Translators Matter
There’s a place for AI in simple, non-contextual texts. But important documents? Books? Legal material? Never. Every word has weight and meaning. Only a human can understand subtext, tone, and nuance. Plus, legal translation is specific to the laws of a country. You need someone who understands those laws—not just the language.
This is where technology often falls short, because language is more than just words.
Localization: Translating Culture
I once localized YouTube gaming videos for a big channel expanding into Latin America. I didn’t do the voiceovers, but I worked on the screenplays—adapting them so the humor, tone, and expressions made sense to a Latin American audience. One of the trickiest parts was syncing the translation to match the rhythm and timing of the original speaker.
For example, if a gamer said something in two seconds, I had to make sure my version could be delivered in the same time so it would match their mouth movements. Sometimes that meant finding a completely different way to say something funny—one that would still land with the audience, but also fit within that tight timing. It was a unique challenge, but also one of the most fun projects I’ve worked on. The entertainment industry has its own rhythm, and matching that while preserving meaning made the work really rewarding.
Advice for Future Interpreters
If you’re thinking of becoming a language professional, my advice is to study both translation and interpreting—but start with translation. Here’s why:
- Start with translation – It’s less pressure and allows you time to develop a strong grasp of grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
- Build your foundation – Translation teaches you how to handle meaning, tone, and nuance. You get to sit with the text, think deeply, and hone your instincts.
- Transition to interpreting – Once you’ve built that foundation, interpreting adds the next layer: speed, accuracy under pressure, and real-time decision making.
- Manage complexity gradually – If you jump straight into interpreting, it can be overwhelming. With translation under your belt, you’re better equipped to handle the demands of simultaneous or consecutive interpretation.
Whether it’s translating documents, localizing digital content, or interpreting high-stakes meetings, this work constantly pushes me to grow. No two days are the same. I’m always learning—new words, new cultures, new ways of thinking. And that’s what I love most about it.
Being a translator and interpreter isn’t just a job—it’s stepping into someone else’s world for a moment and helping them be understood. That’s powerful. And I’m grateful to be part of that process every day.
It all began with words on a page—and now, I get to bring those words to life every day.