Simultaneous Interpretation
Fast-paced Spanish–English interpretation for presentations, meetings, trainings, conferences and multi-party conversations where the message must keep moving.
PORTLAND, OREGON · SPANISH ↔ ENGLISH
Interpretation that keeps people connected.
Simultaneous and consecutive interpretation, professional translation, and experienced bilingual support for legal, healthcare, education, government, business and community settings.
DIRECT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Professional language access services with direct communication and personal attention.
Direct engagements are welcome from law firms, healthcare providers, schools, public agencies, businesses and private clients.
Legal & Court-Related
Interpretation and translation support for attorneys, law firms, client meetings, depositions, government matters and court-related assignments.
Healthcare
Certified Spanish healthcare interpretation for hospitals, clinics, providers and patients, backed by more than two decades of professional language-service experience.
Professional Translation
Spanish–English translation, editing and proofreading for legal, medical, educational, government, business, immigration-related and private documents.
Education & IEPs
Long experience with IEPs, parent conferences, district communications, special education, multilingual family engagement and school-to-home communication.
Immigration & Community Access
Translation and interpretation support for Spanish-speaking and Cuban clients navigating immigration, education, healthcare and other institutions. Language support only; no legal advice.
ABOUT ARIEL
Language access has been the center of my work for more than twenty years.
I am a Portland-based Spanish–English interpreter, translator and bilingual consultant. My career has included healthcare, education, legal, government and community settings, with substantial experience in simultaneous interpretation and in situations where accuracy, discretion and cultural judgment matter.
At Portland Public Schools I served as a Language Access Specialist, helping multilingual families and students communicate with schools and navigate enrollment, special education, district procedures, health requirements and other systems. The work included simultaneous and consecutive interpretation, translation, editing, IEP meetings, family communication and direct assistance to schools and parents.
I have also spent years helping Spanish-speaking clients—including members of the Cuban community—with document translation and interpretation for immigration-related, medical, educational and legal matters. I was born and educated in Havana, completed engineering studies, pursued advanced English-language study, and have continued professional development in translation and interpreting through the American Translators Association and specialized interpreter programs.
CUBAN & LATIN AMERICAN ART
A second professional language: art.
Alongside my translation and interpreting work, I advise private collectors and art enthusiasts on Cuban and Latin American art. My strongest interest is Cuban modern and Vanguardia art, supported by long-standing relationships, market research and direct experience handling works in the United States and Cuba.
Acquisition & SalesPrivate guidance for buying, selling and presenting works.
Valuation ConsultationMarket research, comparable sales and specialist input when appropriate.
Miami ConnectionsAccess to a trusted network of collectors, dealers and art professionals.
RestorationCoordination with experienced professionals for conservation and restoration of Cuban paintings.
SELECTED WORKS AVAILABLE
Current private offerings
A small selection is shown here. Additional works by Cuban and Latin American artists are available upon request.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
Works handled, researched or presented
PORTLAND ART CONNECTION
Longstanding involvement with Cuban art in Portland
My involvement in the art field includes earlier exhibitions and relationships developed through Broderick Gallery in Portland, where Cuban art was presented to local audiences. Those experiences remain part of the network and perspective I bring to collectors today.
Availability is subject to change. Works are offered privately and details are provided upon request. Authentication, attribution, provenance, condition and valuation questions are reviewed case by case with supporting documentation and specialist input when appropriate.
EDUCATION, TRAINING & CREDENTIALS
Professional preparation built over more than two decades.
My work is supported by formal education, specialized interpreter training, continuing education and long professional experience in healthcare, education, legal and public-service settings.
CCHICertified Healthcare Interpreter™ — Spanish/English · ID 025350 · certified 2024
100+ hrsCore medical-interpreter training, including Bridging the Gap (40 hours) and OHCIA Health Care Interpreter Training (60 hours)
ATAMember since 2017 · Annual Conference participant 2020–2024
20+ yearsSpanish–English interpreting, translation and language-access experience
Health Care Interpreting
Bridging the Gap — 40 hours of medical-interpreter training (2002); OHCIA Health Care Interpreter Training Course — 60 hours (2023); additional continuing education in note-taking, terminology equivalencies, addiction and opioid-dependency appointments, and HIPAA.
Education & Special Education
Portland Public Schools training in translation for school translators and interpreting in Special Education; University of Arizona National Center for Interpretation training in spoken-language interpreting in education and Special Education.
Formal Education & English
Engineering education in Havana, advanced English-language studies, TOEFL proficiency, and additional college coursework in the United States.
Professional Development
Continuing professional development through the American Translators Association and specialized interpreter programs. ATA annual-conference attendance is documented for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Original certificates and supporting documentation are available when required for credentialing or contracting.
BACKGROUND
A practical understanding of institutions and migration.
My professional work is informed by my own experience of Cuba, migration and rebuilding a life in the United States. A 1995 United Nations report documented the political case in Cuba in which I was named. I keep that history separate from my clients' work, but it is one reason I take confidentiality, access and the right to be understood seriously.
FROM PAST COLLEAGUES
“He kept up with the pace of the conversation and was able to do simultaneous interpretation with ease.”
— Natalia Gunther, Woodmere Elementary School
“He established a rapport with Spanish-speaking families… and earned their respect and admiration.”
— Grant High School ESL Case Manager
DIRECT INQUIRIES
Need an experienced Spanish–English professional you can call directly?
Available for direct contracts, recurring assignments, project work and selected consulting in Portland and beyond.