Sayuri Gomez
Sayuri Gomez is a language justice interpreter and consultant based in Brooklyn, NYC. Sayuri’s first encounter with language interpretation did not occur as a result of her choice but out of necessity. As a young child, she recalls her loved ones being denied interpretation services at various institutions. Like many families that speak languages other than English in the United States, her family was not informed that they had the right to request an interpreter. Sayuri took on that role for many years. In 2018, she attended Boston Interpreters Collective Interpreting for Multilingual Justice Workshop, where she learned more about language justice. She also knew that no child should be put in a position of advocate and interpreter. This learning experience guided her in seeking a career in language interpretation and attending Hunter College’s Interpretation and Translation Studies program in 2019.
Sayuri firmly believes that every person should be provided with interpretation services to make informed decisions, advocate for themselves, and fully participate. Sayuri collaborates with organizations and groups to ensure that her services go beyond interpretation and create a culture where there is no imbalance of power dynamics due to lack of language access.
Sayuri Gómez radica en Brooklyn, cd. de Nueva York, y se desempeña como intérprete y consultora de justicia lingüística. El primer encuentro de Sayuri con la interpretación de idiomas no fue algo que eligió, sino que fue resultado de la necesidad. Cuando era pequeña, recuerda que a sus seres querides se les negaban los servicios de interpretación en varias instituciones. Al igual que muchas familias que hablan idiomas que no son el inglés en Estados Unidos, su familia no fue informada de que tenía el derecho a solicitar une intérprete y Sayuri asumió ese papel durante muchos años. En 2018, asistió al Taller de Interpretación Colectiva de Intérpretes de Boston para la Justicia Multilingüe, donde aprendió más sobre la justicia lingüística. Además supo que a ningune niñe se le debe de poner en una posición en donde tenga que defender e interpretar para alguien. Esta experiencia de aprendizaje la guió en la búsqueda de una carrera en la interpretación de idiomas y asistió al programa de Estudios de Interpretación y Traducción de Hunter College en 2019.
Sayuri cree firmemente que toda persona debe recibir servicios de interpretación para tomar decisiones informadas, abogar por sí misma y participar plenamente. Sayuri colabora con organizaciones y grupos para asegurarse de que sus servicios van más allá de la interpretación y crear una cultura en la que no exista un desequilibrio en la dinámica de poder debido a la falta de acceso lingüístico.
Hand Signals used for interpretation
Señales manuales utilizadas para la interpretación
Slower / Más Lento
One person at a time / Una persona a la vez
Louder / Más Fuerte
Repeat the last phrase / Repite la última frase
Testimonials
Sayuri is one of the most thoughtful interpreters that I have been able to work with throughout the last few years. Sayuri’s interpretation services are accurate, have a very organic flow, and also provide a space to highlight the importance of why our movement spaces need to center multilingual access, beyond just interpreting. Particularly as someone who identifies as trans and creates spaces for others to participate in English and Spanish, I value Sayuri’s commitment to language justice and culturally affirming language used to interpret and to address issues with our TGNCIQ communities, sex workers, and many more communities often left out.
- Mateo Guerrero, TGNCIQ Lead Justice Organizer at Make the Road New York
Name, Title
“Sayuri and I have collaborated for several large online events and I cannot recommend her enough. She is professional, organized and a pleasure to work with. I appreciate the language justice lens that she brings to all of her work and look forward to continuing to collaborate.“
- Dana Kurzer-Yashin, Overdose and Harm Reduction Trainer at National Harm Reduction Coalition
“Sayuri Gomez is a fabulous interpreter with impeccable command of both English and Spanish. Our meetings are often filled with unfamiliar jargon, yet Sayuri’s interpretation clearly conveys the meaning as well as the terminology. As a result of Sayuri’s skill, we are all able to understand each other better and tackle difficult conversations. When it is time for a press conference, Sayuri is high on our list of desired interpreters for her professionalism and experience. Simultaneous interpretation is a phenomenal skill, and Sayuri is a master!“
- Joan M. Gregory, Co-Chair of Essential Needs & Language Justice Committee, The National Sanctuary Collective/Colectivo Santuario
Sayuri is an absolutely fabulous interpreter and I am so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to get to know her over the past year. I first met Sayuri when I needed a last minute interpreter for an LGBTQ asylum interview for a client in summer 2020. Sayuri was professional yet empathetic, and did an excellent job interpreting an intense and traumatic narrative with poise and passion despite numerous logistical and technical hurdles. I was also subject of Sayuri’s interpretation when I was recently a panelist on an online talk that Sayuri translated, and she again impressed me with her nuance, empathy, and professionalism. Sayuri is a fabulous interpreter with a deep commitment to justice and empathy for the individual, and I will be sure to use her as an interpreter in the future.