Anh Nguyet Tranh

It’s amazing to consider the fact that today, in western Michigan in the United States of America, there are people who speak more than 120 languages. And it’s even more amazing for me to be part of helping many of those immigrant families to integrate into our society.

I know where they are coming from, literally.

My story begins aboard a boat with 100 others in the spring of 1975, my family and I reeling as our beloved homeland of South Vietnam fell into Communist hands. We lived for months as refugees before finally finding solace in Grand Rapids, Michigan – thanks to the welcoming arms of the local Alger Heights Christian Reformed Church.

Early on, I was intrigued with the idea of becoming a schoolteacher, but language issues prevented me from doing well on tests. Most of the teachers were very kind, but one in particular, responding to a low score I had made, sneered at me, “You should have done better; you’ve been here a year already.”

Undaunted, I enrolled in English as a Second Language classes while continuing my formal education and graduated in 1980 from Grand Valley State University as a Licensed Practical Nurse. I worked a short stint in a hospital psychiatric ward, but couldn’t handle the challenges of that. I married, moved back to Asia – to Japan – where I secured a job with the United Nations helping to re-settle refugees and, later, as interpreter and translator.

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Eventually, I found myself back in Grand Rapids. Realizing there was a growing need here for my special skill set, I started a business in my basement (Liaison Linguistics) to help non-English speakers. That became my encore and, now, my life’s work and my encore.

I employ some 250 interpreters and translators, some of whom are fluent in as many as seven languages. Turkish? Check. Dinka? Check. Mam? Check. Swahili? Double-check.

We are involved in virtually any arena where words are spoken or written – the court system, schools, medical facilities and workplaces.

Especially satisfying is serving the nearby Kentwood Public Schools, where dozens of languages are spoken. Twice a year, we partner with moms and dads attending parent-teacher conferences. We deal with 450 individual conferences in just two or three days.

Working as an interpreter offers three benefits: You are well-compensated for your time and talent. You know you are helping another person as well as your community. And every time you are sent to work, you are learning something new.