Linguist Spotlight: Disha — Turning a Lifelong Connection to Language Into Meaningful Impact

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For some people, interpreting begins with professional training. For others, it starts at home.

For Disha, language has always been a bridge—connecting her family to doctors, schools, services, and the community around them. Long before becoming a professional interpreter, she was helping her mother, grandparents, and relatives navigate life in a new country.

Born in Kenya to a family originally from Gujarat, India, Disha grew up speaking Gujarati, her first language, along with Hindi and English. After moving to the United States, she quickly became an important voice for her family.

“My parents barely spoke English when we moved here,” she says. “I very quickly became my mom’s interpreter.”

From doctor’s appointments and school meetings to everyday conversations, Disha saw firsthand how language could shape a person’s experience. Having someone who could communicate clearly helped her family feel informed, supported, and confident rather than confused or left out.

“It made me understand the power of language,” she says.

Although she had been interpreting informally for most of her life, Disha did not initially realize it could become a professional career. While growing up in New Jersey, she interned with a local mayor and often helped connect Gujarati- and Hindi-speaking community members with local resources. Later, after moving to Pittsburgh to pursue a master’s degree in International Development at the University of Pittsburgh, she began working with a local organization that supports recently resettled refugee and immigrant families.

Through her work, Disha saw how difficult it could be for individuals to access information and services when they could not communicate in English. One interaction with a Hindi-speaking client was especially meaningful.

“We both spoke broken Hindi,” she recalls. “But we were able to understand each other and help make sure his children had everything they needed.”

That experience helped inspire Disha to pursue interpreting professionally. She recently joined Global Wordsmiths and now provides Gujarati interpretation services while continuing to build upon the language skills she has developed throughout her life.

For Disha, one of the most rewarding parts of interpreting is seeing the immediate relief on a person’s face when they realize they can finally communicate.

During one of her first official assignments, she met an older patient who was in significant pain and had been trying unsuccessfully to explain what she needed. Because her family could not be in the room to help, the patient had become increasingly frustrated.

“As soon as I was able to understand her and communicate what she was saying, she was so relieved,” Disha says. “She told me, ‘Thank you so much. I’ve been trying to tell them for hours that my back is in pain.’”

That moment reinforced why this work is so important.

“I think my favorite part is seeing that you’ve made a difference,” she says. “You can help someone relax and feel understood.”

Disha’s experiences supporting families through pregnancy-related medical appointments have also been especially meaningful. Through her work as an interpreter, she helps clients navigate healthcare appointments, understand important information, and prepare for the arrival of their children.

“When they have their baby, they’ll send me a picture or a voice message and say, ‘Thank you so much for your help. This is my baby,’” she says. “That makes it all worth it.”

Some of the most impactful interpreting experiences in Disha’s life, however, have been personal.

A few years ago, her grandmother was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer. Because Disha was the only family member nearby who spoke her grandmother’s language, she traveled between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg to accompany her to medical appointments and help her understand her care.

“It was important to me that she could understand what was happening in the language she grew up speaking,” Disha says.

Her grandmother’s strength left a lasting impression. Even after receiving a difficult diagnosis, she remained courageous and focused on moving forward. Inspired by her grandmother’s resilience, Disha got a tattoo that reads, “Be afraid and do it anyway.”

“It’s a reminder that the world can be scary, but you still have to do what needs to be done,” she says.

That message continues to guide Disha as she takes on new experiences—including her journey as a professional interpreter.

“English is now my first language, so interpreting can still make me nervous,” she says. “But being able to do this for someone else is worth more than being afraid.”

Outside of work, Disha continues to find meaningful ways to stay connected to her culture and family. Since moving to Pittsburgh, she and her fiancé—who is Polish—have created a weekly tradition of cooking Indian meals together with her mother, brother, and other family members over FaceTime.

“It helps me stay connected to my roots while also sharing my culture with someone I love,” she says.

She is also an avid reader with a goal of finishing 50 books each year, enjoys baking, and has recently begun taking weekly sewing classes at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. As she continues exploring her new city, she has made it a personal goal to discover a new Pittsburgh restaurant, neighborhood, or hidden gem each week.

For Disha, language access means ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to understand and be understood—regardless of the language they speak.

“People deserve equal access to information and services,” she says. “Having someone who speaks your language and understands your culture can help you feel more comfortable, adapt more easily, and feel like you belong.”

From interpreting for her family as a child to supporting patients and immigrant communities today, Disha has experienced the power of language from both sides.

Now, she is using her voice, her lived experience, and her passion for helping others to ensure that more people feel heard, understood, and connected. And we are honored to have her as part of the Global Wordsmiths team.