Bosnian Interpreter & Translator in Chicago, IL and western suburbs Languages: Bosnian to English, English to Bosnian.

Fields of Expertise: Medical: ( Health Care ), Counseling/Therapy, Psychiatric Care, appointments, consent for surgery, general scheduling, medical history, medical education, language interpreting in emergency rooms and hospital - health care settings.

Legal: Court Interpreting, trials, hearings, depositions, attorneys appointment ( counseling ), Immigration, criminal and civil cases, police investigations, emergency calls ( 911 ).

Insurance: ( Life, Home, Auto ...) initial calls, insurance claims, follow up, taking recorded statements.

Bosnian culture and Bosnian language General Interpreting: Over the phone and/or in person.

Translation: General, literature, personal letters.

Interpreter Bio Place of Birth: Sarajevo, Bosnia/Europe
Mother tongue: Bosnian
Location: Chicago area and western suburbs, Illinois/USA
Field of expertise: Legal, Health Care, Insurance, General.
Years of experience: 14
Education: Loyola University Chicago, Usa; University of Sarajevo, Bosnia.

I am a Bosnian American, living in the United States (Chicago area, IL). I lived in Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Germany pursuing my career in interpretation and translation in Bosnian/English. I attended the most prestigious linguistic school in Bosnia ("Revolucionari i Narodni Heroji Prve Gimnazije", Sarajevo), completed four years with Diploma as a professional interpreter of Bosnian and English. Completed two years of college coursework in Law School at University of Sarajevo. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice conferred by Loyola University Chicago in 2005.

I worked five years for the Department of Aviation (City of Chicago) with a successful history of language interpretations in Bosnian for government agencies such as U.S Immigration, U.S Customs and Police Department. I interpreted for detectives, investigators, US federal judges and attorneys. Trials, depositions, insurance claims and court cases. Then I continued with health care and interpreted for hospitals, 911, emergency rooms, doctors, psychologists & psychiatrists all over the United States.

I am currently Self-Employed, working as an Independent Contractor ( a Federal Court Interpreter, Health Care/Medical Interpreter and Language Specialist ) providing interpretations throughout the United States, in person, as well as over the phone, for several different clients in US, Canada, UK and Australia. My passion for foreign languages led me to continue interpreting and translation service internationally and in many different settings.

Fields of Expertise

My expertise is in legal & health care (medical fields). I have an educational background in both and it is easy for me to interpret areas I already studied and know myself.

Many Bosnians immigrated during the genocide and ethnic cleansing in 1992. They went through a lot of trauma. Some were tortured, kept in concentration camps, saw their family and children killed, some escaped persecution and some have no family here. Their experiences are still fresh, they want someone sensitive who will speak to them in their own mother tongue. It is not just the authenticity of the language they care about but credibility of interpreter as well.

In order for them to open up and trust they usually want to know who I am, what my name is, and where I am from and I do not mind sharing my background with them. I understand they need to know that because they do not feel comfortable having an interpreter of different background who will be insensitive to their stories and experiences and consequently not help them communicate their needs.

When it comes to the legal field, my background in criminology helps me a lot because I understand legal procedures and terminology. Interpreting in the legal field is more precise and must be very clear and accurate. It is not about repeating what somebody says but also making sure the question asked is clearly understood. For this you need great communications and clear understanding.

Why do you do this job? What motivates you?

I do it because I am good at it. I like helping people. People can not function effectively without the language. They rely on interpreter to communicate what they would like to say themselves but are not able to. In a way I am their voice. Providing the top quality interpretation & translation to my clients who need to communicate with Bosnians and vice verse is ultimately a well crafted skill in which I, of course, want to be the best.

How the clients can request you?

If interested in my interpretation Services, please EMAIL ME for estimates. Please click on the email link "Send email" on the top of the page.

Rates for Written Translation

- 0.5 - 0.25 cents per word. Please contact me with your offer and for estimates
- can do up to 3000 words a day.

Rates for Telephonic Interpretation:

- Flat rate $1.50 per minute ( any field )
- there is no minimum
- available 24/7/365

Every request submitted directly by the client is evaluated individually. If the client is going to use my service regularly I may give better rate than to the client who use my service one time only.

Your gain:

Large agency who hire people like me charge you $2.50+ per minute. By hiring an interpreter directly you get same or better service for so much less.

Example: You need an interpreter for a medical history of the patient for 20 min. My cost is $30 over the phone. The agency will charge you $50. Why paying more if you can play less for the same or even better service?

Rates for In Person Interpretation:

- Court Interpreting during the regular hours 9-5:
$50-$120 per hour

- Court Interpreting during non-business hours:
$50 - $170 per hour

- Trial by cases ( Bosnian ) without travel
$50-$120 per hour

- Trial Travel*
$500-$1,500 per day

* expenses calculated on a day rate. The day rate begins with the interpreter's departure from home city and ends with return to the home city. Other expenses may be included in the price such as: hotel, transportation, meals, airplane ticket etc...

There are other terms generally such as:
- 24 hours cancellation required
- 2 hours minimum
- last minute request
- deposit of 1/2 of the cost in advance and the other 1/2 before the interpretation begins.