Long-form writer covering culture, identity, and the slow, generational ways languages shift.
Senior Writer
Long-form writer covering culture, identity, and the slow, generational ways languages shift.
About
eldean Smith writes long-form features for Day Translations on culture, identity, and the slow, generational ways languages shift. Her work follows the human side of linguistic change — what gets kept, what gets lost, and who decides.
The archiveEvery byline
As hospitals race to adopt AI-powered clinical interpreting tools, there’s a growing need to slow down and ask: Are we doing this responsibly? When lives, language, and trust are on the line, ethics can’t be an afterthought. Clinical interpreting powered by artificial intelligence brings undeniable benefits, speed, scalability, and 24/7 access, but it also raises […]
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Linguists, translators, and engineers writing on language, culture, and the craft of being understood.
Working as an interpreter is both rewarding and intensely demanding. In recent Reddit threads, interpreters across modalities, especially in sign language and video remote interpreting services (VRI/VRS), describe soaring levels of anxiety, vicarious trauma, and professional stress, exacerbated by political instability, social unrest, and the constant fear of job erosion. Interpreter well-being is a hot […]
Imagine you’re in a hospital and you don’t speak the doctor’s language. Waiting for a human interpreter isn’t just inconvenient, it can cost lives. Healthcare systems are tackling this gap by deploying voice-activated interpreters and AI-powered interpreting solutions that provide instant access to professional interpreters across hundreds of languages and sign languages. Meet the Innovation: […]
In April 2025, the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) suspended its automated translation of emergency alerts, covering Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Samoan, due to a contract lapse with AI provider Lilt. This move created a potential life-or-death gap for nearly 68 million Americans who speak a language other than English at home and rely […]
In mental health care, psychiatry, counseling, and therapy, communication is more than just words. It encompasses tone, cultural nuance, emotional subtext, and context. Yet recent studies across countries, including New Zealand, Germany, South Africa, and the Netherlands, reveal that patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) often do not receive professional interpretation during mental health consultations, […]
An AI interpreter workflow refers to the integration of artificial intelligence tools into the process of interpreting, whether for live events, virtual meetings, or recorded content. These workflows help streamline the phases of interpretation, including before, during, and after. To be clear, AI isn’t here to replace human interpreters; it’s here to enhance their capabilities. […]
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital content, like text, images, or animations, onto the real world through devices like smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses. You’ve probably seen it in action in apps like Pokémon GO or IKEA’s room visualizer. But in the world of language training, AR is becoming a game-changer. Why? Because language isn’t just […]
Recent research by the Max Planck Institute shows that since the rise of ChatGPT, English speakers have increased use of words like delve, meticulous, and adept, some by as much as 51%, without even realizing it. AI isn’t just translating our language; it’s shaping how we speak and actively driving the evolution of the language […]
AI hasn’t just arrived; it’s redefining interpreting services. However, instead of replacing human talent, AI is collaborating with linguists in powerful hybrid models. Platforms like KUDO and Slator predict that by the end of 2025, 40% of interpreting services will adopt this blend: AI handles routine output, while humans tackle nuance, emotion, and culture-heavy contexts. […]
From Siri and Alexa to Google Translate and AI dubbing, it’s never been easier to sort of understand someone who doesn’t speak your language. And while AI interpreting and translation is impressive, it raises a big question: Can machines truly replace human interpreters? The short answer? Not yet. The long answer? Grab your headset; we’re […]
You’ve probably seen them; those viral videos where the interpreter totally steals the show. From high-energy sign language pros at concerts to court interpreters trying to keep up with wild testimonies, the internet loves a moment where interpreting meets pure human drama. But beyond the viral fame and hilarious GIFs lies a serious profession full […]
A furrowed brow. A shrug. A smirk just as someone says, “Sure, I agree.” We all read these signals without even realizing it — and interpreters? Interpreters decode body language like seasoned pros! While most people think interpreting is all about words, professionals know that non-verbal communication can change everything. Body language, tone, and facial […]
