“Tea, signs, chaos, repeat: A day in an interpreter’s life.”
No two days are ever the same, and that’s part of what makes being a BSL interpreter so rewarding—and so challenging.
For me, the day often starts long before I’m out of bed. By around 6 a.m., I’m already checking messages, emails, and assignments—running through my schedule for the fifth time in my head. By 7:45, I finally pour my first cup of tea, sit at my desk, and begin mentally preparing for the day ahead. By 8 a.m., I’m fully at my computer, reviewing assignments, double-checking details, and mapping out the clients, trainees, and sessions I’ll support.
As a CODA, my mental load often begins before the first live session. I think about friends of my dad, other Deaf individuals I’ve grown close to over the years, and anyone who might need support that day. That could mean scheduling a video call to check in, preparing to interpret follow-up hospital appointments, or making sure I have “what next” pamphlets ready for clients. Even before the day officially begins, my mind is juggling responsibilities and care—a rhythm that many CODAs will recognise.
Once assignments begin, the variety and complexity of the day become clear. I might spend the morning interpreting for a client teaching BSL to children—full of energy, play, and informal interactions. Then in the afternoon, I could be preparing for a court case—a completely different environment that demands precision, formal language, and adherence to legal procedures. These assignments require entirely different interpreting strategies and skills.
What’s often the most challenging part is interpersonal: navigating the personalities, emotions, and expectations of the people I’m interacting with. I have to anticipate potential tensions, mitigate interpersonal issues, and maintain professionalism, all while keeping the focus on accurate and clear communication. Managing this well reduces unnecessary cognitive and emotional demand on me and ensures my interpreting remains effective and impartial.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is the absolute importance of a strong code of ethics. My formal clients are wonderful—but even if I’ve known some for decades, or when family connections intersect with work, nothing is personal. I work within professional boundaries and adhere to the code of conduct so clients can fully trust me and the profession. That integrity allows me to sleep at night, knowing I’ve done right by the people I serve and by myself.
Even at home, the lessons from upbringing are clear. I’ll never forget one evening shortly after my mother passed. My brother had a serious accident at work—he was almost blinded and had to be urgently transported to a second hospital. I went to pick my dad up to bring him home. When we walked in, my brother’s eyes were bandaged, his face swollen and blotchy from treatment. And my dad? He looked at him and asked, completely seriously, “Where’s his dinner?”
That moment says so much about his upbringing: humor, resilience, and how formative experiences leave deep grooves that are hard to wear down. Those lessons—about empathy, independence, and navigating life’s challenges—carry over into my interpreting work, helping me balance care, compassion, and professionalism.
Amid the chaos, the long mental load, and the constant switching between assignments, there are moments that make it all worthwhile: a trainee’s breakthrough, a client’s smile when they understand something clearly, or simply knowing I’ve helped someone feel seen, heard, and empowered. That mix of challenge, connection, and reward is what makes this career so fulfilling.
Being an interpreter is fast-paced, sometimes chaotic, and emotionally demanding—but it’s meaningful work. For anyone learning BSL, considering a career as an interpreter, or curious about the day-to-day life of a CODA in the profession, remember: it’s a career that blends skill, culture, and compassion. And while no two days are the same, each one leaves you richer in experience, connection, and perspective.
