Lefteris Kafatos on Interpreting as a Human Act

In this premiere episode of Echoes of Meaning, Camila Sabogal speaks with Lefteris Kafatos — former diplomatic interpreter and cultural bridge-builder — about the unseen complexity of interpreting, and the value of the human craft. Or simply, the craft, if you will.

They explore how interpreting goes far beyond language fluency — it requires cultural sensitivity, emotional resilience, and rigorous technique. Lefteris reflects on the shift from CAT to HAT tools, the overlooked importance of self-care, and the lack of public advocacy for linguistic labor. Together, they ask what’s lost when machines take over meaning, and how language professionals can reclaim the narrative.