Welcome back to “The Voices Behind the Words: Member Spotlight” – our interview series shining a light on the diverse stories and experiences of our members. 

Our next interview is with Nuria Castro, Founding Manager of Globalingua Translation, a Galician company with deep roots in its region. Discover her insights on the evolving language industry, her journey from translator to business leader, and how Globalingua blends local pride with global ambition. 

1. Please can you share three interesting facts about your company? 

Globalingua started 12 years ago in a modest space within a business incubator. The night before officially launching, we were up until 3 am painting the walls ourselves!

Our team has a passion for sports, and we participate in activities together whenever possible. We believe that a healthy lifestyle is essential to thriving in all areas of life.

At our Coruña office, we have a pet named Turrón, who loves to lounge while watching us work. 😊

2. What aspect of your company do you believe sets it apart from others in the industry? 

Our entire team is Galician, with all members being graduates of the same university, albeit specialising in different languages and fields. As such, we are committed to our region’s prosperity and aligned with the core industries in our area. With extensive experience in energy, fisheries, tourism, technology and more, we strive to be the go-to partner for Galician companies aiming to expand by continually improving our services.

Moreover, we actively promote the use of our native language, Galician. We collaborate with both institutions and private companies, delivering translations to and from Galician (apart from many other languages, of course), mainly in the institutional, healthcare and audiovisual fields.

3. How have you seen your work and role evolve over the years? 

I began my career as a European projects consultant at a public organisation through a scholarship. I then transitioned to translating institutional texts, mainly for the European Union, starting as a freelancer and later as an in-house translator at a renowned multinational translation company.

In 2013, my business partner Nahir and I decided to establish our own company, combining our expertise across languages and fields. Since then, my role has evolved from translator and project manager to business development manager, with a focus on increasing our visibility and systematically building client relationships.

4. What’s the toughest part of your job, and how do you overcome it? 

In recent times, adapting to industry shifts and changes within our company has been particularly challenging. Embracing the reality that nothing is static and that we can’t take anything for granted can be difficult for me. Also, recognising mistakes as a necessary part of the learning process has been a personal hurdle.

I’ve found that the best way to face these daily challenges is through physical exercise, trekking and walks with my dog. Going to the gym after work helps me release tension and gain a fresh perspective on any challenges. Long night-time walks with Turrón are another way to disconnect from daily stress and reconnect with nature and serenity.

5. If you were to create a slogan or tagline for your company using only emojis, what would it be? 

👩‍👩‍👧‍👦💪🤓🖥🧐🚀🌏🍷🥳

6. What is your view on the current state of the language industry?

As we all know, AI and LLMs have brought significant disruption to our industry. Today, everyone is investing heavily in innovation, technology and marketing initiatives to adapt to these changes and remain competitive.

At Globalingua, we believe collaboration and co-creation are key drivers for the future, especially for smaller companies like ours. Last year, we launched a collaborative project with two other companies, and we are very satisfied with the results. We’ve learned a great deal from our colleagues’ experiences and perspectives, and we’re eager to forge even more partnerships this year as well.

Share your thoughts on our LinkedIn post! If you’re interested in sharing your career journey and more about your company in this series, please get in touch!

Company name: Globalingua Translation
Name: Nuria Castro
Job title: Founding Manager