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CyraCom Interpreter Spotlight: Eddie, Arabic Interpreter

Interpreter Spotlight is a new series that will introduce some of our qualified, professional interpreters who work in CyraCom US contact centers. We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the extraordinary people who interpret on the other end of the phone for your patients and providers.

Today we’re meeting Eddie, an Arabic interpreter who has been working with CyraCom for over six years.

Good morning, Eddie. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

“I am from Syria, and I have been in the US since 2005. I had studied English back home and studied interpretation and translation in Syria.”

What made you interested in interpreting, and what do you like about it?

“I took translation classes back home in college, and interpretation and translation was one of my favorite classes. I met my wife by interpreting for her when she was visiting Syria. I like helping people; I like communicating between two people in difficult situations and happy situations.”

Tell us about one of your favorite interpreting experiences – any good stories?

“I was interpreting for a delivery, the mother was in labor. I was able to facilitate communication with her and the staff and it had a happy outcome of a baby.”

At CyraCom, we have all of our employee interpreters take our 120-hour interpreting training course. What did you think about the training?

“It was very helpful, very effective, very well organized. It helps implementing theory into practice, and there were very rich and helpful materials.”

You’ve been working for CyraCom for six years. What do you think about CyraCom as a company and as your employer?

“It’s a very good company. One of the most outstanding features is its respect for diversity. The company pays attention to diversity and respects interpreters of different backgrounds.”

In addition to being a bilingual interpreter, you are also a bicultural interpreter. Can you share with us something interesting about your culture and language?

“Arabic has many different dialects. For example, an Arabic interpreter may not be able to interpret for all the dialects. I speak Syrian Arabic, and I have difficulty with Moroccan or Algerian Arabic. There are many variances and differences in the countries and it’s very challenging.”

Let’s end with something fun. What are your hobbies?

“I read. Mostly politics and Middle Eastern history.”

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