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CLC Spotlight

Meet one of CLC’s interpreters or translators and hear about the unique role they play in supporting our mission.

Natalia Ruiz

Natalia Ruiz’s path to becoming a simultaneous interpreter is deeply rooted in personal experience. Beginning at just 16 years old, she took on the role of both guardian and interpreter for her immigrant family, navigating complex systems and conversations on their behalf. That early responsibility not only shaped her career but also sparked a lasting commitment to language justice. Over the past three years, Ruiz has come to see language justice as more than access. She views it as a vital tool for connection, ensuring that communication flows meaningfully across communities, institutions, and lived experiences.

In her work today, Natalia has witnessed a notable cultural shift. There is a growing awareness among non-Spanish speakers that they, too, are part of the language dynamic, prompting broader adoption of interpretation tools, even among elected officials. Still, the role comes with its challenges. Natalia emphasizes the discipline required to remain neutral, setting aside personal opinions to uphold the integrity and ethics of accurate interpretation. This balance is essential to creating trust and clarity in every interaction.

Looking ahead, she is optimistic about the future of interpretation, particularly as technology continues to evolve. While tools like AI offer new possibilities, she believes these innovations should support rather than replace the human element at the heart of the work. For Natalia, interpretation is more than a technical skill. It is a collaborative, creative, almost artistic act. At its best, it becomes a seamless exchange where the interpreter fades to the background as a supporting tool for meaning and connection, one that can share and convey the spirit of the message.

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