Dr. Gurdeep Chawla, originally from New Delhi, spent six years as an interpreter in the Indian Parliament before relocating to the United States with her husband, entrepreneur Suri Chawla. Initially planning for a brief stay, she found herself drawn to opportunities in the local court system, providing interpretation for individuals with diverse backgrounds. Recognized for her work, she ventured into roles aligned with her government and diplomatic background.
Despite living in the San Francisco Bay area, Chawla took the required test for a position in Washington DC, successfully passing it. Climbing through various levels of interpretation, she reached the diplomatic level, becoming a highly regarded diplomatic interpreter with 34 years of experience. She has facilitated communication for influential world leaders at prestigious forums, including the G-20, G-7, ASEAN, United Nations, World Bank, World Health Organization, Nuclear Security Summit, and numerous bilateral talks.
Chawla’s illustrious career includes providing interpretation services for industry leaders like Indira Nooyi and Ajay Banga. Despite the glamour, she emphasizes the demanding nature of her job, requiring extensive preparation for each diplomatic meeting. Balancing a tightrope, she views interpretation as a role with immense responsibility, emphasizing the need for accuracy in conveying leaders’ emotions.
Having interpreted for seven Indian PMs, four US Presidents, and two Canadian PMs, Chawla describes her job as being the leader’s voice while remaining invisible in the room. Despite the solitude, excellence in the field doesn’t go unnoticed. The interpretation field has evolved significantly, especially with the advent of remote work due to COVID-19.
Chawla’s introduction to interpretation was unplanned; she stumbled upon a translator position at the Indian Parliament. Initially reluctant, she discovered the magic of interpretation’s multifaceted nature and chose to stay. Trained at the Parliament with no formal schooling, she learned by observing her seniors. Today, with increased competition, there are prestigious institutions offering full degree courses in interpretation.
Chawla emphasizes the importance of a love for languages, vocabulary, voice modulation, and cultural awareness to excel in interpretation. She currently leads Indian Languages Services from California, aiming to provide premier interpretation and translation services in Indian languages to and from English.
