Royals Essay 17

At four years old, I was not playing with toys or learning my ABCs. I was translating medical words and school rules for my parents, afraid that one wrong mispronunciation could potentially cause trouble. For many years growing up, schools, hospitals, and many facilities often struggled to have translators on stand-by regardless of the amount of bilingual individuals within our population. Because of this, my parents relied heavily on me to translate the correct information whenever we went anywhere. I was the bridge between my parents and the world, translating everything from school letters to doctor’s instructions. While some might think it was impressive that I could translate at such a young age, the role took a heavy toll on my mental health. I remember the panic when I didn’t know a word, the pressure of getting every sentence exactly right, and the disappointment I felt when I stumbled. Every conversation became a test, forcing me to overthink every word.
As I grew older and entered high school, my translating responsibilities took me beyond my family, from translating police reports to helping people within my school. I wanted students around me who couldn’t understand English to have some form of support that my parents didn’t have when they came here. Becoming that support in a school that didn’t really have translators to assist those students became my purpose, my leadership role. Whenever new students would come in, especially those who didn’t understand English well enough to form a sentence or understand their peers, I would show them around the school and help them feel more comfortable in this new environment. What made this role worth it regardless of the toll it took on me as a kid, was being able to see people of all ages light up when they realized there was someone who could understand them. This sense of comfort was something the little girl in me needed in order to heal from the fear of uncertainty.
One of my most memorable experiences I’ve had as a translator at my school involved a girl named Sophia, who had recently moved from Honduras. When I was first told about her situation in class, it wasn’t just her grades that concerned me, but the way she seemed hesitant to speak up, how she often stayed silent during discussions, and how isolated she appeared from everyone else in class. Not knowing English can be really rough and I wanted to step up for her. I was determined to use my ability to help her feel seen and supported. I started by translating the lessons for her, explaining concepts in ways she could understand real time. I spent extra time after school with her, ensuring she didn’t just pass her classes, but truly understood the material. I encouraged her to participate in discussions, teaching her English and gradually helping her find her voice in a classroom where she had once felt invisible. As our semester came to an end while saying our goodbyes before summer, she came to me with a gift. It was a bracelet made by her mom. Sophia smiled at me as she handed it to me and said, “Gracias a ti, pude lograr más que pensés,” which means “Thanks to you, I was able to achieve more than I thought.” This was the moment where I realized that translating was more than an exchange of words, but a bridge to understanding, confidence, and inclusion. I like to remember how weeks prior, she had just sat in class quietly because she didn’t know what was going on and now by translating for her, she was able to have a type of access in the classroom no one was able to give her.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from translating is how powerful it can be to make someone feel truly understood. Watching the nervousness on someones face completely disappear when I say, “Buenas tardes, cómo están?” (Good afternoon, how are you) is an unforgettable and humbling experience. It reminds me that language barriers still exist and can create real challenges. The sigh of relief from families when they realize there’s someone who can communicate in their native language in a country where it isn’t always supported is more than just convenient, it’s a sign that they are seen, understood, and welcomed. Translating has taught me how to be patient, take initiative and helped me be more creative when trying to find ways to properly translate concepts.
This experience has inspired me to continue my education not only to represent Hispanic excellence, but also to show younger children who have had to translate for their parents that their voices matter and they are not alone. I want to become a mechanical engineer, and although this career is not directly related to translation, I hope to use my background to inspire and guide others. Being a Hispanic engineer who understands both language and struggle allows me to encourage young students to pursue careers they may not think are possible for them. I want to share my passion for engineering with people of all backgrounds, regardless of language barriers. The skills I have gained from translating throughout my life will help me communicate clearly, advocate for others, and take initiative in my future career.