Linguist Spotlight: A Mother-Daughter Duo Bridging Language and Love

For some, language is simply a means of communication. For others, it’s connection. For this mother-daughter team, interpretation isn’t just a profession, but rather a shared journey shaped by family, culture, and a deep commitment to serving others.

Originally from Uzbekistan, Guli, Jamila, and their family moved to the United States in 2012, arriving on the Fourth of July — a symbolic beginning to a new chapter. Like many immigrant families, language quickly became a lifeline not only for themselves but for others. Over the years, they found themselves translating for friends, relatives, and their own community long before they realized it could become a rewarding career.

Today, they both serve as interpreters for Global Wordsmiths, providing services in English, Russian, and Uzbek, with additional language support in Kazakh. Together, they help individuals and families navigate critical moments with clarity, dignity, and compassion.

“Before this, we were always helping people,” Guli, the daughter, explains. “We just didn’t know it could be a profession that we would end up loving.”

Their path into interpreting started close to home. After learning her brother was interpreting, Guli started first, followed by her mother, Jamila, a year or so later.  What began as curiosity quickly became something more meaningful and a way for them all to connect on a deeper level.

“I realized this is something I already do every day,” she says. “I enjoy talking to people, helping them understand each other. Now I can do that and truly make an impact.”

Guli holds a degree in Health Sciences, so medical interpreting has become a particular passion. She finds excitement and purpose in healthcare settings, especially during complex procedures like when she helped during eye surgery.

“When patients understand their treatment, they feel more comfortable,” she says. “That changes everything in an instance when both parties can fully understand one another.”

Her mother, who has a professional background in accounting and continued her education after moving to the U.S., brings the same dedication and discipline to her work as an interpreter. She is now pursuing additional certifications, including medical and legal interpretation, to expand her impact even further.

Together, they represent a powerful combination of lived experience and education.

Some of their most meaningful assignments involve working with children and families in early intervention settings. Over time, they become familiar faces and trusted voices in moments that can feel overwhelming.

“You see the same families each week, and they get used to you,” Guli shares. “It’s a special connection. You’re not just interpreting – you are part of their support system and that’s special.”

Of course, not every assignment is easy. They’ve both encountered emotionally challenging situations, from difficult medical diagnoses to end-of-life care. Navigating those moments requires professionalism, empathy, and strength.

“In our culture, we often communicate things more gently in those situations,” she explains. “Here, it can be very direct. It can be hard to interpret those words exactly, but it’s important to stay accurate while still being compassionate.”

Despite the challenges, their work continues to reinforce the importance of language access.

“Without interpreters, people can feel invisible,” she says. “They have so much to say, but no way to be understood. We help connect them to doctors, to services, to solutions, and so much more.”

For her mother, that impact is deeply personal.

“I know what it feels like when someone speaks to you and you don’t understand,” she shares. “You just smile, but inside it’s frustrating. That’s why this work matters.”

Beyond their professional roles, their shared experience as interpreters has strengthened their bond as mother and daughter.

“Now we understand each other’s work,” the daughter says. “Before, I would tell her stories and she would listen, but now she truly gets it. It’s brought us closer together.”

That connection feels especially meaningful as Mother’s Day approaches. It’s a gentle reminder that the relationships we build at home often shape the way we show up and make a difference in this world.

Together, they continue to honor their cultural roots, celebrating traditions like Navruz, the Persian New Year, that represents renewal and new beginnings. A special dish that is made and shared is called sumalak – a sweet paste made from sprouted wheat and wheat flour, which has been traced back to the pre-Islamic Sasanian Persian Empire.Much like their journey, it’s a celebration of growth, resilience, and community.

From helping families navigate healthcare to supporting individuals in moments of uncertainty, this mother-daughter duo exemplifies what language access is all about: connection, understanding, and care.

And for them, it all starts with family.