Translating American The Vlog returns with a timeless story of resilience
An interview with Ibrahim Alkhaldi, certified Arabic-English translator, certified medical interpreter, and global communicator.
It is said that the best things in life are worth the wait. Meaningful and transformative content takes time to be conceived, cultivated, and brought to life.
This interview with Ibrahim Alkhaldi has been waiting to reveal his fascinating journey from his beloved Damascus to the United States. As a proud Syrian, Ibrahim translates the American culture through his unique experience as an expatriate who has found fulfillment and acculturation through his essence as an immigrant and linguist.
Ibrahim has discovered meaning through experiencing the freedoms afforded by American culture, where acceptance, tolerance, and hopes for a better life flourish daily. His story connects to the beautiful poetic traditions of his homeland, which echoes the spirit of renowned poet Nizar Qabbani (1923-1998) in his timeless work “This is Dimashq.”
Ibrahim Alkhaldi, proud Damascene, Arabic <> English linguist in the United States
The recipient of the American Translators Association (ATA)’s 2021 Mentoring Award, Ibrahim defines mentorship as a need for giving and receiving.
I guess mentoring is one aspect or one type of giving, and giving is one type of what we call the absolute or the good in a human being. For me, mentoring is a need. We need to ask others and we need to answer others. We need to ask for help and we need to help others, and on both sides we are winners.
Reciepient of ATA’s 2021 Mentoring Award
“Ibrahim’s beloved Damascus”
What do you think? How might mentorship transform your own professional and personal journey? What connections could you build today that might shape your tomorrow?
Listen to Ibrahim’s valuable advice for those aspiring to thrive and build their careers in the United States.
This special conversation with Laura Jobe, Mesquite ISD Chief Communications Officer, covers a span of 22 years–2000 to present. Laura and I worked together at Mesquite ISD, during my time as district school translator. We discuss how the support that school administrators and stakeholders provide to their language access staff contributes to the success of the school district and its LEPs/ELLs communities. It is a unique honor to feature a leader whose leadership style is empowering, cross-cultural, and visionary.
As a public school administrator, Laura translates the American culture through effective leadership and cross-cultural vision to empower her staff and school district.
If as a school district or a business, you have the opportunity to bring on a professional translator, if that’s something that will benefit you, I mean, hands down, you cannot go wrong with that decision. Having somebody who is trained in that profession it just makes all the difference. – Laura Jobe
Are you a part of a winning team?
Listen to this conversation to reflect on your leadership style and abilities. How do you contribute to the success of your team?
This interview was a part of my webinar, “Winning Teams: Empowering Your Language Access Personnel Through Training and Collaboration,” presented for Orange County Department of Education (OCDE)’s 6th Annual Translators and Interpreters Annual Conference, on September 23, 2022.
