Why empathy is an interpreter’s superpower

The Pope’s passing has made me think a lot about empathy, and so I was interested to read a study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences which suggests that interpreting improves empathy.

It found that language students with interpreting experience were more empathetic than language students without interpreting experience.

That rings true to me. When we interpret, we inhabit someone else’s voice and perspective, stepping into their shoes for the duration of the assignment. We’re also continually exposed to a wide variety of different cultures, languages and personalities.

Over the years, I’ve helped people communicate stories spanning the highs and lows of human experience. I once interpreted a meeting between Nane Annan, the wife of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and a woman from Afghanistan who had survived an acid attack.

It was an incredibly difficult but moving experience. I wanted her story to be heard as powerfully as she had lived it. That meant more than just translating words. It meant expressing the full emotional gravity of her story.

It’s a level of sensitivity that AI will never be able to replicate, in my opinion.

While I certainly think interpreting develops empathy, I also wonder whether the nature of the work attracts more naturally empathetic souls.

I’m lucky to work alongside some wonderfully kind-hearted colleagues, and their support makes all the difference when you’re working in a high-pressure situation. We provide each other with a listening ear and share useful resources, such as this fascinating podcast on the power of meditation, recently shared with me by a colleague who knows I’m interested in self-development.

It is important to balance empathy with professionalism, of course. Interpreters need to channel powerful emotions without losing focus, walking a fine line between compassion and composure. Empathy, in this work, isn’t a soft skill – it’s a superpower.

Interpreting at the Italian Embassy

I was recently reminded of President Zelensky’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Meloni — the two of them were in the very same room at the Italian Embassy in London where I interpreted last month. I was there on assignment with an Italian healthcare delegation, facilitating high-level discussions on international cooperation in obesity treatment and public health policy. It was a privilege to support such vital dialogue in a space that continues to host significant diplomatic encounters.

The Italian Embassy is nothing short of magnificent. The reception rooms are furnished with Italian design classics, while the walls are lined with baroque paintings and tapestries woven during the Italian Renaissance. Even the catering is exquisite, showcasing the best of Italian cuisine. It’s not just a diplomatic venue, but a cultural showcase, a little slice of Italy in the heart of Mayfair.

As an interpreter, assignments held in grand venues can add an extra layer of pressure. The building itself can feel intimidating, even before the audience has arrived.

I’ve been lucky to work at the Embassy several times over the years, so it now feels like familiar territory. Even so, I still arrive early to all my assignments, so I can acclimatise to my surroundings. I like to have time to find my way around and get fully briefed by the organisers, as well as speaking to the people I’ll be interpreting for, so I can tune into their accent and develop rapport.