Torture experiences are often referred to as being “too much for words” or “inexpressible.” The atrocities, and the lingering effects, are beyond the scope of the common vocabulary.

“Through interpretation I play my small role in relieving the intense distress of survivors of torture. I cannot grasp the motives for torture, but I can summon my experiences to help heal the effects of it.”

Turkish Language Interpreter

SURVIVORS’ clients come to us from all over the geographic and linguistic map. They speak Acholi, Amharic, Chaldean (Aramaic), Dinka, Khmer, French, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and many other languages. Many survivors speak two, three, even four languages fluently, but they need the skills of a trained and compassionate interpreter to lend them a voice in English.

Word by word, story by story, our interpreters, clinicians, doctors, and staff are together re-building the hope and re-creating the community that survivors and their families need to feel whole and healed. Our interpreters allow the “unspeakable” to become a narrative, and that narrative to become a force against torture.

More than 45 languages are represented in SURVIVORS’ interpreter network. All interpreters receive an orientation to our organization, and a modest hourly payment for the professional work they do. This hourly fee helps to pay tribute to the importance and difficulty of the work.

If you are interested in become an interpreter for SURVIVORS, please fill out an application or contact SURVIVORS for more information, or fill out the form below. All interpreters must also complete a W-9 form, which can be found here.