Kathmandu, Sept 6: For the first time, practicing interpreters from across Nepal came together today for Nepal’s First Interpreters’ Meet, a half-day gathering aimed at strengthening and professionalizing the field of interpreting and language services in the country.
The event, held in Kathmandu, brought together more than thirty interpreters and language service providers in a hybrid event with physical presence and online.
The meet was inaugurated by Dr Gopal Thakur, Chair of the Language Commission, and chaired by Mr Mod Narayan Jha, a senior interpreter.
Speaking on the need for this initiative, Thakur Amgai, one of the initiators of the meet, said, “For years, interpreters have been working in isolation, without a shared platform to safeguard our professionalism, set common standards, and elevate the dignity of our work.
Today marks the beginning of building that collective space, a place where we can grow together and ensure that interpreting in Nepal is recognized as the vital service it truly is.”
The event featured discussions on the history and current state of interpreting in Nepal, the importance of organized professional associations, and lessons from global practices.
A key outcome of the gathering was the decision to form an ad-hoc committee and a constitution drafting sub-committee, laying the groundwork for the country’s first professional interpreters’ association.“This is a major
,” said Ms Erica Adhikary, a translator and interpreter of 15 years. “Our work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is front and center. With an association, we can finally speak with one voice about our collective rights, ethics, and professional growth.”
Extending best wishes to the Association to be formed, chief Guest of the meet Chairperson of Language Commission Dr Gopal Thakur said, “Working in an organized manner helps reduce stress and errors.”
The meet formed an eleven member ad-hoc committee chaired by Amgai and a three- member constitution drafting sub-committee led by Prasun Singh, and concluded with a shared commitment to work collectively to advance and formalize the interpreting and language service professions in Nepal.#nepal #rss
