FEATURE
Nora Díaz
Translator and interpreter at Consultoría Lingüística Profesional
In addition to being a tremendous honor — one that I didn’t expect and still can’t believe I’ve received — being featured alongside so many amazing women in our field has led me to reflect about the people and events that have made this possible.
I think it’s safe to say that all translation and localization professionals share a love for languages, but one thing I have learned in my many years in the industry is that we also share a love for service. Our work is, after all, a service that builds bridges, as we so often like to say. It was with the aim of providing a valuable service that I first decided to work as a translator and interpreter.
ACCOLADES
We should have more women who share knowledge and skills like she does
Nora is an amazing professional, passionate for her job, and a great example of a powerful working woman.
Nora Díaz is a role model to every student out there. Her work inspires me every day, and I wish to be as successful as her one day!
Nora Díaz, mujer sorora, inteligente, comprometida, con una ética y valores que la llevan a trascender en todo lo que hace. Estar aquí, nominada a lado de grandes mujeres ya es su gran éxito. ¡Felicidades!
Many years later, like so many of my colleagues, I could fill dozens of pages with stories about how that dream has come true in many different contexts, from the scientist whose paper won an award at a conference and thanked the translator without whom that wouldn’t have been possible, to the grieving mother who needed official documents translated to arrange the burial of her son who had found an untimely death in foreign land, or the business owner who said his translated website read better than the original. It’s been an absolute privilege to play a role in connecting people, breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers, and contributing to a more connected world.
While it may seem that translators and localizers work in isolation, we are in fact a link in a longer chain. Our connection with others is essential for us to learn, to grow, to thrive. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful for the amazing people who have been a part of my journey. From my mentors who taught me the ropes, to my colleagues who inspire me every day, I’ve been so lucky to surround myself with the best of the best. And then, of course, there’s my family who have been my biggest supporters and cheerleaders every step of the way.
So here I am, still in a bit of disbelief, but more grateful than ever for the opportunities and experiences that have brought me to this point. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me along the way, and here’s to continuing to make a difference in the language and localization industry for years to come. I truly believe that by working together and supporting one another, we can make a real impact on the world.
Nora is a dynamo. Passionate, creative, driven, and hard-working, she has made major contributions to conversations about training for translators and interpreters in recent years. Nora serves as co-host of the Innovation in Translation and Innovation in Interpreting summits, annual events which regularly attract 5,000+ participants to learn about the most cutting-edge developments in the language industry. She recently overhauled and significantly expanded Jost Zetzsche’s seminal primer for translators, The Translator’s Tool Box. She speaks at dozens of industry events, both online and in-person, every year, and is also the chair of ATA’s Professional Development Committee. Nora is helping to shape changes in our industry by teaching colleagues from across the globe. She’s also a fantastic colleague and friend and a talented translator and interpreter. I strongly recommend her for this recognition.
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