Translating legal documents, mail letters, and English conversations was something I

encountered at seven years old. My single mother relied on my broken English to allow her to

assimilate into American culture. As a child, I was stressed as I was still trying to figure out my

language and identity in the country. I had learned Spanish when I came into the world; the

English language and its components were foreign. Foreign was how my mother felt

immigrating into the country and feeling abnormal in U.S. society. As I got older, I realized the

language barriers and the issues they brought for monolinguistic individuals. I analyzed the

duality between the English and Spanish-speaking communities.

When I entered my last year of high school, I got a job at a Scooters Coffee. I was the

only Mexican worker who could comfort our Latino customers by ordering the coffee just how

they liked. It was a simple task for the average citizen. However, workers and Latino customers

had a push and pull of trying to guess what the other was saying. When I stepped in on

occasion, there was a sigh of relief and shock at all the options on the menu. I passionately

translated for customers and realized I felt more motivated to go to work and show up for our

customers. The translation is simple but lets people open the door to normalcy.

I want to be an open door for my people and other communities dealing with these

issues. I want to use my fluency in Spanish and English to assist those in need. I am looking to

pursue opportunities where I can make language accessible to everyone. I understand that

translation is a vital component in our diverse world. I have witnessed firsthand the power of

language that empowers individuals and fosters meaningful connections. I am committed to

nurturing the flourishment of language comprehension.