Voices Interpreting Company

El equinoccio de otoño [Autumn Equinox] is just around the corner! Sunday is the day Fall is officially here (even though some of us have already morphed into our fall fairy, spooky selves) and we're ready to embrace the cozy sweaters, apple cider or pumpkin spice, hayrack rides, and haunted houses! We 🧡🎃🍏👻🍂

“El otoño es el abrazo que le da la naturaleza a la Tierra antes de que se duerma.”
[Autumn is the embrace that nature gives to the Earth before it falls asleep.]

Some autumnal vocabulary, in Spanish!:
🍁 Fall = el otoño
🍁 Harvest = la cosecha
🍁 Bonfire = la fogata / la hoguera
🍁 Sweater = el suéter
🍁 Scarecrow = el espantapájaros
🍁 Pumpkin = la calabaza / el zapallo
🍁 Cozy = acogedor

In the Des Moines area this weekend? Stop by Iowa's Latino Heritage Festival 9/21 and 9/22 to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Iowans with ties to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil, and Venezuela - plus more! For more info ➡️ latinoheritagefestival.org/

"A bright moon and stars twinkle and shine. Wishing you a merry Mid-Autumn Festival, bliss, and happiness!" 🌕 💜

Several cultures all over the globe mark the onset of Fall with the appearance of the Harvest Moon (that's tonight!). The people of China, East and Southeast Asia worship the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋 (aka the Mooncake Festival 月餅節 in China and Hong Kong; Chuseok 추석; 秋夕 in Korea; Tsukimi 月見 in Japan; Tết Trung Thu 節中秋 in Vietnam) by gathering with family, lighting paper lanterns, and eating mooncakes - among other things!

How do you pay homage to the beginning of Fall?! 🍁 🍂

Getting through each day is not always easy, but look where you are! You've successfully gotten to each new morning so far this week - even if, to you, it didn't feel all that successful! You are here and everyone around you is much better for that fact.

"La vida es bella. Usted lo vale, cada porción de eso."
[Life is beautiful. You are worth it, every single bit of it.]

If you or someone you know has thoughts of su***de, immediate help is available. Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor offering support 24/7/365. ***dePreventionMonth

“Place your hand over your heart, can you feel it? That is called purpose. You’re alive for a reason so don’t ever give up.” – Unknown

It may sound simple, but the fact that you’re alive and your heart is still beating can be reason enough to keep living. In reality we don’t need a specific purpose or reason for being alive. Although you may not have awakened to a specific life mission, while your heart is still beating you have time to explore YOU and find happiness.

The world is better with you in it. 💜💙

If you or someone you know has thoughts of su***de, immediate help is available. Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor offering support 24/7/365. ***dePreventionMonth

The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the U.S. They're committed to improving crisis services and advancing su***de prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

***dePreventionDay

"Cuando las barbas del vecino veas cortar, pon las tuyas a remojar."
Translation = When you see your neighbor's beard being cut, start getting yours wet.
Some wise words on this upcoming (tomorrow) ...
It serves as a warning, foreshadowing perhaps, that when we see someone in a similar life circumstance, as ourselves, succumb to some kind of misfortune... Maybe we should pay attention and prepare ourselves for that misfortune. In other words, get ready for any situation or change when you see it coming!

More "beard" in Spanish for
Beard ➡ la barba
He has a beard. ➡ Tiene una barba.
I'm growing a beard. ➡ Me estoy dejando la barba.
What's Peter like? - He's tall, he has a beard, and wears glasses. ➡ ¿Cómo es Peter? - Es alto, tiene barba y usa anteojos.

¡Feliz viernes a todos! ¡Que tengan un buen fin de semana. 💜
[Happy Friday, everyone! Have a good weekend!]

"Haz el bien y no mires a quien." [Do good, and don't look at whom you are helping.]
- Spanish proverb

Charity, like volunteering and philanthropy, can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection. It promotes the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. Charity spreads the message of humanity by promoting the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged. The was established to sensitize and mobilize people around the world to help others. September 5 (today), was chosen by the General Assembly of the United Nations as the date for International Day of Charity in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 "for work undertaken in the struggle overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace."

"We only have what we give." Isabel Allende 💜🌎

Today we celebrate the social and economic achievements of workers in all spheres. We can thank the leaders behind the Labor Movement during the height of the Industrial Revolution for creating fairer, more equitable labor laws and workplaces. Several strikes, marches and riots led to a lot of us having weekends off, 40-hour work weeks, much-needed child labor laws - just to name a few... The very first Labor Day "parade" was a 10,000-worker march from City Hall to Union Square NYC (9/5/1882)!

To learn more about Labor Day's history ➡️ ➡️
history.com/topics/holidays/labor-day-1

Celebrate today and thank the workers in your life!
WE 💜 all the worker-people and appreciate you!

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

狗来福. (Gǒu lái fú.)
Dog comes and brings good fortune. - Chinese idiom

Our loyal companions, dedicated working partners - dogs have always held a special place in our hearts. Going back thousands of years their bonds with humans can be traced across various civilizations and cultures. Monday (8/26) was , so we're going to throw some quick dog/cultural tidbits at you!

🐶 In the western world, dogs are like furry members of our families. We dress them, let them share our beds, hang portraits of them in our homes, celebrate their birthdays, and even provide funerals when they pass.
🐶 In Islamic culture dogs may only be kept for acceptable reasons - farming, hunting, herding, or on guard; not as pets. In this case dogs should be kept outside the home.
🐶 In many cultures the attitudes towards dogs have shifted over time. In China, for example, dogs were perceived as tools for hunting, protection, and food during the Neolithic age. As time passed, dogs gradually became pets for the wealthy class and within the imperial court - but still a food source for the less well-off. As Buddhism spread throughout China, that mindset changed and became taboo.

If you have a barking fur-baby, give them a pet for us! We 💜 the pups!

Help your local animal advocates!
Animal-Lifeline ▶️ animal-lifeline.com/ ()
Furry Friends Refuge ▶️ furryfriendsrefuge.org/ ()
The Pet Project ▶️ thepetprojectmidwest.org/ ()
ARL Animal Rescue League of Iowa ▶️ arl-iowa.org/ ()

Empowerment | imˈpouərmənt | noun
• authority or power given to someone to do something
• the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights

"A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is never less. Equality is a given. A woman is human." - author Vera Nazarian

We are so proud to be a woman-owned biz in the interpretation and translation industry. Every day, and especially on , we honor and celebrate the trailblazing people who have empowered us to grow and succeed. We will gladly continue the pushing this momentum forward 💜💜

"Water is life's matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water." - Hungarian biochemist & Nobel Prize recipient Albert Szent-Györgyi de Nagyrápolt

Agua (🇲🇽); Woda (🇵🇱); Maji (🇰🇪 🇺🇬 🇷🇼🇧🇮 🇹🇿); Dlo (🇭🇹); Tubig (🇵🇭); Vatten (🇸🇪); Wásser (🇩🇪); Nước (🇻🇳) ... Water (🇺🇸🇬🇧🇳🇱)!! begins this Sunday where the focus is on water cooperation aimed at fostering peace and security across various dimensions in our world: human security, food and nutrition security, ecosystem security, energy security, and the intricate relationships among ALL of these.

学习是永远跟随主人的宝物 (xuéxí shì yǒngyuǎn gēnsuí zhǔrén de bǎowù)
"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." - a Chinese Proverb

World Humanitarian Day not only honors the efforts of those who stand as beacons of hope (a tribute to those who selflessly extend a helping hand) it also encourages each of us to be apart of the work to better our global family. Every act of kindness, every moment of understanding, and every instance of selflessness is a testament to our shared humanity. The power to transform lives resides within us all.

"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." - Amelia Earhart

Salut to all the helpers; the work you do changes the world! 🤗💜🌎

Get it? Gato = Cat 🤣😹🥰
(don't unfollow us, please!)

In some regions of Japan, Obon (お盆) has begun; an event commemorating familial ancestors for approximately three days.

Light plays a significant role in Obon. Bonfires are used to help spirits find their way to their family homes on mukaebon (迎え盆) — the first day of Obon — then again to guide them back to the spirit world in the form of lanterns on okuribon (送り盆), the last day. ("Mukae" and "okuri" mean to welcome and to see off, respectively.) Today, families recite prayers at temples and shrines. Then in parks, gardens, and shrines across the country, Bon Odori (盆踊り) dancing is performed!

Happy hump day friends! Ki wo tsukete 気を付けて
["Take care!" ]

It's the start of a new week and ! These powerful land-giants have been observed as being intelligent, very social and empathetic towards each other; they have enormous trust in one another... One could say a lot of their strength in moving through life may possibly come from their herd. We can do that too! Let's work on getting through this week (and the next) together - one step at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time. We can do this! Let's be like the elephants!



“We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behavior.” – Graydon Carter

A day dedicated to the importance of standing up for one another, building bridges for understanding and support, and fostering inclusivity = International Allyship Day! Today is the official day, BUT obviously it's an every day commitment.

What is "Allyship"? ➡️ "such association with the members of a marginalized or mistreated group to which one does not belong" according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. In other words advocating, supporting, and uplifting those whose voices are generally not recognized; being a friend and a source of solidarity. 💜

“Showing up for others is one of the most powerful things you can do.” - Naomi Evans, Being an Ally

When going to the beach, in Nicaragua (possibly by a volcano), the below is a vital statement one should learn:
"Necesito unas chinelas para la ir a la playa." Translation = I need flip flops to go to the beach. We agree, yes you do. They are actually the essential shoe of summer.

Spanish is a fascinating language! Often times, if you're a Spanish language learner, its diversity is inexhaustible; every country has it's own dialect, and every region has its own variation. Nicañol (Nicaraguan Spanish) is one of many dialects and has it's own particularities, influenced by culture and it's history. Nicaragüense (aka Nica) like to play with words. Their slang is full of abbreviations, jokes, and derivations that makes understanding a challenge, but also amusing! Here are a couple examples...

"A Pincel" - Do you want to take the bus? But we're only a block away! We better go "a pincel" (by foot). In standard Spanish, "pincel" means "brush"... curious!

"Acalambrado" - In standard Spanish, a "calambre" is a cramp. So, quite logically, "acalambrado" should mean something like "a person who has a cramp", right? Well, yes and no. In standard Spanish, that's exactly what it means. But in Nicaraguan Spanish, "acalambrado" means "frightened, afraid".

Good times! Nos vemos! 💜🇳🇮

The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world's peoples. To confront these crises and challenges at the root cause in the most simplest way - through friendship. It builds human solidarity, accumulates bond, strong ties of trust, and unity for a greater good! 🤝🌎🫶

“Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.” — English writer John Evelyn

Expressing friendship around the world:
🥰 "Gracias por estar siempre ahí para mí' [Thanks for always being there for me. ]
💛 "Le plus beau cadeau de la vie est l'amitié, et je l'ai reçu." [The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it. ]
🤗 "My beste vriend is altyd daar vir my." [My best friend is always there for me. ]
🌺 "Hoaloha" [Beloved friend ]
✨"Du bist einfach wunderbar." [You are simply wonderful ]
🥰 "Mou aresee pou eese feelee mou" (μου αρέσει που είσαι φίλη μου) [I like that you're my friend ]

The 2024 Olympics are here! We are so PUMPED! As we're sure are aware, the Summer games begin today in Paris. While you're watching some of your favorite events, here is some French vocabulary for you to utilize:

🏊‍♀️ La natation = Swimming
nage libre = freestyle
brasse = breaststroke
dos = backstroke
papillon = butterfly stroke

🤸 La gymnastique = Gymnastics
agrès = an artistic gymnastics competition event
sol = floor
poutre = balance beam
saut de cheval = vault, or literally "horse jump"

And the most important! The médailles [medals]!
🥇 d'or = gold
🥈 d'argent = silver
🥉 de bronze = bronze

Il y a une épreuve pour manger de la glace au chocolat? [Is there an event for eating chocolate ice cream?] Au revoir les amis!

Bon Mercredi mes gens!

"Il ne faut avoir aucun regret pour le passé, aucun remords pour le présent, et une confiance inébranlable pour l’avenir." - Jean-Jaurès
["You should have no regrets about the past, no remorse about the present, and unwavering confidence in the future.”]

Here we go! The rest of the week is looking great!

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." - activist & statesman, former first president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela

Laat julle lig skyn [Let your light shine]

"Não éporque uma andorinha morre que acaba a primavera." A Portuguese proverb encouraging us to not throw in the towel when something goes wrong, or doesn't go as planned. Everything is not lost. Do not give up! We can pivot, rearrange steps, or ask for help. "The death of a swallow doesn't mean the end of Spring."

You can do this! Boa segunda-feira! [Happy Monday!]

Salaam Alaikum ﻡﻼﺳ [Hello!] Happy Friday, friends!

In honor of Malala Day, here's some info to grow your brain:
📚 What is Malala Day? July 12, has been designated by the United Nations to recognize advocacy for education rights all over the world and it honors education activist Malala Yousafzai (2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate at the age of 17).
🎉 July 12th is also Malala's birthday! Kaleeza dai mubarak sha کلیزه دی مبارک شه [Happy birthday!] Coincidence? We think not!
📚 Malala is from Swat, Pakistan. She began her education advocacy at 11 while attending the girls' school her father, Ziauddin, ran.
💬 Malala's mother tongue is Pashto, she also speaks Urdu, English and is learning Swahili
🇵🇰 Urdu is the national language in Pakistan. Along with English, it is the preferred language used for inter-communication between different ethnic groups.
🇵🇰 There are 14 languages spoken in Pakistan! Urdu takes the status of being the official language, but it is the 4th most spoken. Punjabi is the most widely spoken (39% of the population), followed by Pashto (16%) and Saraiki (14%) - according to the MIC survey performed by UNICEF from 2017-2020

That's all for now!



“If we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness.” - Malala Yousafzai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV_M3rorP7o

"La zra na bal zra ta laar shta." د يو زړۀ نه بل زړۀ ته لار وي (دل کو دل سے راہ ہوتی ہے)
[From one heart to another there is a way. OR Love begets love.]

Daily concerts, contests, open-air art galleries, crafts, and street entertainment fill up the month of July in Águeda, Portugal. A giant party to celebrate the arts? We're there! Well, we wish we were there because... "A música é uma revelação mais elevada do que toda sabedoria e filosofia."

Continuação de um bom dia! Até à próxima, Tchau!
[Have a good day! Until next time - Goodbye!]

To all our friends celebrating Al-Hijri, Happy Islamic New Year!

We are here to celebrate!...
Celebrate people who through determination, creativity, and unbounded courage fought to make this country independent and a home to those with visions of greatness. We celebrate ALL of those who have overcome adversity; who continue to do the work, and still fight to make our home a place for EVERYONE.

Happy Independence Day, friends! 🎉

We've made it! Halfway through this year - halfway around the sun. Maybe it was the longest half of a year you've ever felt or maybe it flew! Do with today what you will - reflect, dust your self off and look to the rest of the year, or just be present. You do you!

"When you see a roadblock or challenge as an opportunity, it is amazing how you are already halfway there." - Frances Hesselbein

This month's Pride festivities commemorate the Stonewall Uprising (guides.loc.gov/lgbtq-studies/stonewall-era). In a really simplified nutshell, during the early hours of June 28, 1969, LGBTQ+ people, led by transgender women of color, fought back against police brutality and intimidation at the Stonewall Inn bar, igniting the LGBTQ rights movement in the United States. One year later, the first "gay pride" events were held in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Stonewall served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement and Pride in the U.S. and around the world! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🩵🩷🖤

If you are looking to support a local advocacy for LGBTQIA+ Iowans please consider checking out One Iowa at oneiowa.org. This organization has worked tirelessly for years to provide assistance resources, community education, as well as a myriad of issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Whatever you have to offer - donations or time - they will greatly appreciate!

Volunteer Opportunities 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ oneiowaaction.org/volunteer/
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ LGTBQIA+ owned businesses in Iowa City: taesaus.my.canva.site/corridorlgbtq
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ AND in DM (here's a few):
Dapper DSM ( | dapperdsm.com)
Jovisuals ()
The Slow Era ( | theslowera.com)
Thistle's Summit ( | thistlessummit.com/thistlessummit)
xBk Live ( | xbklive.com)
Pride documentary watch-list 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ pbs.org/collections/pride-month/

Jipende! Love yourself!... Without fear and without shame. Friends, you are amazing; be proud year round! 🏳️‍🌈 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤

The U.S. is a salad bowl of cultures existing together! Why? Because everyone here (unless you are apart of a Native nation) arrived via various ways, under various circumstances (a majority of times for extremely difficult reasons), and from MANY different places! Our ancestors brought with them their customs and traditions - as do the people who are still coming to the U.S... Refugee Week is the world's largest celebration of the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. It is centered around Refugee Day (which was June 20th). This week enables people with diverse backgrounds to connect beyond labels, as well as encourage empathy and understanding.

At Voices, we exist to build bridges; it's really our jam! Our goal is to connect humans, while valuing everyone's cultural uniqueness (after all language and culture go hand-in-hand)... Join in our celebration!

Everyone should have a safe place to live and start anew.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
- Author Emma Lazarus as stated on the Statue of Liberty



**We recognize that refugees and asylum seekers are not a single group and have different experiences, including because of race, class, gender, sexuality, age and immigration status. Also...
**We use the word ‘refugee’ because of its legal and historical significance, and because we believe it is important to reclaim it from negative uses. At the same time, we recognise the danger of labels and respect people’s right to decide how they define themselves. Refugee Week celebrates the contributions of everyone seeking safety, regardless of the legal status they hold.