I recently had the privilege of engaging in a meaningful conversation with Hilda Tejada, former president of the Mexican Association of Conference Interpreters (CMIC), current faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and ENALLT-UNAM, and active member of AIIC’s Training and Professional Development and the Sign Language Network.
From our respective journeys in professional interpreting—hers through academic and association leadership, mine through over 50 years of fieldwork and a lifelong commitment to professional unity and continuing education—we engaged in a key conversation:
What truly defines the work of a professional interpreter, and why do we charge what we charge?
What exactly does a professional interpreter do, and what are we being paid for?
More Than “Speaking Languages”
To outsiders, interpretation may seem like a spontaneous act of switching languages. But as Hilda and I agreed, conference interpreting is a high-level intellectual activity that demands intense focus, deep research, and advanced cognitive skills.
Behind every successful session, there’s an essential process that includes:
- In-depth analysis of written, audio, and video materials
- Terminology extraction and the creation of a specialized glossary
- Background research on political, institutional, or technical contexts
- Collaboration and rehearsal with booth partners or co-interpreters
This is not optional or extra work — it’s part of the core service.
RSI: Remote Simultaneous Interpretation with Professional Standards
Today, many of our assignments are delivered via Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI). But this doesn’t mean lower quality or less preparation. On the contrary, interpreters working with international organizations now do so from professionally equipped home studios featuring:
- High-speed (redundant) wired internet
- Power backups and no-break systems
- Dual or triple monitor setups
- Sound-treated booths or acoustic workspaces
- 30-minute early log-in and 15-minute post-event availability for sound checks and unexpected scheduling shifts
Expertise, Preparation, and Ethics
During our talk, Hilda and I shared stories where thorough preparation made the difference between successfully conveying a diplomatic nuance — or losing it entirely.
An interpreter’s rate is not just for microphone time. It reflects the expertise, preparation, and infrastructure required before, during, and after each assignment.
Elevating the Profession
One shared concern and aspiration that Hilda and I discussed was how to continually raise the standards of our profession, both in Mexico and worldwide.
That means:
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Clear ethical and quality standards
- Educating clients about the real scope of our work
Interpreting is not a “technical service” or logistical convenience — it is a vital function of human communication across legal, medical, diplomatic, and social domains.
Final Thoughts
Conversations like this renew my admiration and commitment to a profession that often operates behind the scenes — yet makes global understanding possible.
Thank you, Hilda, for your dedication to excellence and your continued work in shaping new generations of interpreters.
We’ll continue working — word by word, voice by voice — to build real bridges across cultures and languages.
Sergio is a chemical microbiologist, licensed interpreter, and the founding president of Colegio Mexicano de Intérpretes de Conferencias.
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