By Sarah Wheeler, M.Ed., M.S. A Particular Kind of Erasure There's a particular kind of erasure that settles into the being of anyone who belongs to a marginalized community. You enter a space, and before you communicate anything, people have already categorized you. They've reduced your multifaceted, complex self into a single descriptor. You're the Deaf person. The blind person. The disabled person. The immigrant. The foreigner. You're no longer recognized for who you are.

By Sarah Wheeler, M.Ed., M.S. The Critical Moment There's a particular moment that comes for many professional interpreters, usually somewhere between year five and year ten, when they look up from the work and realize they can't quite remember who they were before they found themselves in the center of other people's stories. You remember the passion that drew you to interpreting. The fascination with language. The desire to bridge different worlds. The profound satisfaction

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout There comes a point in many interpreters' careers when showing up starts to feel different. You still interpret and connect people across languages and cultures, but something inside begins to slow down. You might ask yourself, when did this start to feel distant from who I am? Burnout is not a personal failure. It is a natural response to sustained imbalance, when emotional output outweighs the input. Interpreting requires continuous empathy,

Effective communication is at the heart of interpreting, it’s not just about linguistic accuracy, but about emotional attunement, regulation, and presence. Interpreters work in dynamic, emotionally charged environments where connection, empathy, and neutrality must coexist. Developing emotional intelligence (EQ) for interpreters helps professionals navigate these moments with clarity and confidence, ensuring communication flows not only accurately but humanly. What Is Emotion

For interpreters, linguistic skill is only half the battle. This article explores why emotional intelligence (EQ) isn't just a soft skill, but a fundamental pillar for navigating complex human interactions, building client trust, and managing the inherent stress of the profession. Learn actionable tips to elevate your practice.

Epistemic humility is the recognition that our knowledge is always incomplete, shaped by context, and in relationship with others.

Inclusion isn't a checklist, and communication isn't something to fix. In this reflection on emotional intelligence, disability justice, and interpreting, Sarah Wheeler challenges the quick-fix mindset dominating accessibility today. Learn why relationship-centered access matters more than ever, and how emotional intelligence in communication creates connection where tech alone cannot.

Starting over isn’t starting from scratch, it’s starting from experience. Inspired by my sister’s journey, this reflection explores what it means to begin again with presence, curiosity, and courage.

Empathy is more than a feeling—it’s a core professional skill interpreters need to build trust, foster understanding, and create human connection across languages and cultures. In this article, we explore how cognitive empathy, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience come together to support trauma-informed, high-impact interpreting—especially in the age of AI.

In a world where traditional classrooms are being replaced by curated digital experiences, online workshops are leading a revolution in skill development. Whether you're sipping coffee in your kitchen or logging in from across the globe, today’s virtual platforms offer more than convenience—they offer connection, community, and purpose-driven growth.

Understanding our emotions is crucial for personal and professional growth. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize,...

In the rapidly shifting landscape of interpreting, something profound is unfolding. We are being asked to evolve—not to focus on linguistic transfer alone, but to interpret emotions, context, and the full complexity of human presence.

As interpreters, presence isn’t just a skill—it’s the foundation of our work. But what if I told you that presence does more than improve yo

It suggests that this creative adaptability isn't just a "nice-to-have." It's fundamental. It’s how your unique, multilingual brain is wired

The field of interpreting is at a turning point. AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. The real question is: Are we ready for it?

If we want to last in this work—if we want to do it well—we need to understand that empathy isn’t just a feeling. It’s a framework. And it h

In his book Supercommunicators, Charles Duhigg uncovers the science behind powerful communication—emphasizing the importance of EI.

In the whirlwind world of interpreting, sometimes your best tool is stillness. Yup, that pause you think is just a luxury?

es you to be fully present, navigate emotional undercurrents, and maintain clear communication under stress.

The rise of AI is transforming the workplace, automating repetitive tasks and shifting the focus to complex, human-centered roles. This...