Multi-talented Sinhala and Tamil Interpreter and translator | Ruzaika Arshad
Ruzaika Arshad, originally from Sri Lanka, migrated to New Zealand in 2003 with her husband and two children. She is a certified Sinhala and Tamil interpreter and translator, a Cross-Cultural Facilitator (CCF), and the Positive Parenting Programme Coordinator with Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ). She is also an active member of Auckland’s Sri Lankan Muslim community.
Ruzaika Arshad began interpreting casually in 2005, which sparked her interest in the field. She completed formal interpreting training through AUT in 2006 and has since worked professionally as both an interpreter and translator. Certified by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) in Australia, she interprets both locally and internationally. In New Zealand, she works with RASNZ, Health New Zealand |Te Whatu Ora (across physical and mental health), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Education (MoE), and MBIE. She is currently the only Sinhala interpreter for Te Whatu Ora | Waitematā.
Ruzaika explains that many people are unaware of the difference between translation and interpreting. Translation involves converting written text from one language to another, while interpreting deals with spoken language. Both require more than simply replacing words—they demand an understanding of vocabulary, tone, intent, cultural nuances, and dialects. She notes that translation allows time for revision and proofreading, whereas interpreting happens in real time and relies heavily on short-term memory. If a mistake is made while interpreting, it’s important to acknowledge and correct it immediately.
Sri Lanka’s official languages are Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Being fluent in both Sinhala and Tamil offers Ruzaika flexibility. She recalls being booked to interpret in Tamil, only to find the client was more comfortable speaking Sinhala—and another instance where a client spoke a mix of both languages. This highlights the importance of confirming a client’s preferred language or dialect rather than making assumptions based on ethnicity.
Ruzaika believes interpreters also play a role in educating practitioners on how to work effectively with interpreters. To practice well, interpreters must stay informed about the cultural and political contexts of both their country of origin and New Zealand, as well as global developments.
She emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Interpreter’s Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics, which uphold confidentiality, professionalism, competence, and clear role boundaries. With multiple roles, Ruzaika sometimes needs to clarify which capacity she is acting in, as each role carries different expectations and responsibilities. This clarity is essential for maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring personal well-being.
There is growing evidence that interpreters and cross-cultural workers are at risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress. Access to support services is therefore crucial. Interpreters in New Zealand can now access free counselling through the Ministry of Justice’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and some Language Service Providers (LSPs) also offer similar support. Ruzaika benefits from supervision provided by RASNZ for her roles as a cross-cultural facilitator and Positive Parenting Programme coordinator, which helps her navigate the emotional challenges of her work.
Despite the challenges, Ruzaika finds deep satisfaction in facilitating communication for people in vulnerable situations. She considers it a privilege to be entrusted with private information and views breaching confidentiality as a serious violation of trust.
Dulani Abeysinghe, eCALD Educator, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
