During meetings between world leaders and foreign officials, translators are among the prominent figures. They translate both political nuances and emotions. Translators are considered diplomats who play a crucial role behind the scenes of international politics. They sometimes become key figures influencing the course of history. Without the presence of translators, effective and productive dialogue between leaders would be impossible. A simple wrong word choice by them can lead to a diplomatic crisis; therefore, translators perform work that demands high professionalism and complete reliability.
At the official level, translators working alongside presidents are either simultaneous (translating at the same time) or consecutive (translating after the speech) interpreters. Both roles require high language proficiency, diplomatic terminology, knowledge of international law and protocol rules, as well as psychological resilience.
Presidential translators are not merely “word carriers” between languages. Their role is multifaceted. Thus, the translator must convey what the other party says accurately and verbatim, remaining neutral without adding personal thoughts or feelings.
It is crucial for a translator to understand the cultural, historical, and political context behind the words. For instance, a joke or a metaphor can be misunderstood in translation and damage relations.
Translators participate in the most confidential discussions and must not disclose this information under any circumstances. For this reason, most of them undergo special security checks.
Political experts state that presidential translators constantly work under high stress. This is because they are under pressure not to make mistakes during live broadcasts; they face the necessity of maintaining concentration for several consecutive hours; and they demonstrate the ability to accurately reflect the emotional tones of leaders during discussions.
For this reason, translators working at the state level receive special training, undergo continuous practice, and are kept under supervision regarding their health (especially psychological).
One of the most important aspects of translators' work is their adherence to the principle of complete confidentiality. Their work ethic is based on the following principles:
- Not sharing the content of discussions under any circumstances
- Not displaying any political or personal stance
- Maintaining professional distance
Many translators write their memoirs only years later, once the political relevance of the discussions has faded.
In fact, although many presidents know foreign languages, a translator is always used in official meetings. This is important both from a protocol perspective and to prevent misunderstandings. After all, even the smallest mistake can lead to a diplomatic conflict.
In recent years, the veiled lady accompanying Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a translator, who has become one of the important figures in world politics, has not escaped attention. We are talking about Fatima Gülham Abushanab, who has been alongside Erdoğan at important summit meetings such as NATO, G20, and the United Nations. Incidentally, she also appeared in the headline photos of Turkish media by accompanying the Trump-Erdoğan meeting held in Washington on September 25.
Who is Fatima Gülham Abushanab?
The Modern.az website researched the Turkish press to learn about Fatima Gülham Abushanab's dossier.
Fatima Abushanab was born into an academic and multicultural family of both Turkish and Middle Eastern descent.
Her mother is Merve Kavakçı, a well-known politician, former diplomat, and ex-deputy in Turkey. Merve Kavakçı was elected as a Member of Parliament for Istanbul from the Virtue Party to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 1999, but faced serious controversy for entering the Grand National Assembly wearing a headscarf and was expelled from parliament.
Merve Kavakçı later moved to the USA, settled there, and continued her academic career.
Fatima Gülham's father is Ali Ahmed Abushanab, a Palestinian-born academic and writer.
Her parents' academic background played a significant role in her career. At the same time, her mother being Turkish and her father being of Palestinian origin provided Fatima with a multilingual and multicultural perspective. This rich background is considered a key factor in Fatima Gülham's success in international diplomacy.
Fatima Gülham was born in Washington, the capital of the USA. She holds both American and Turkish citizenship. Having received most of her education at prestigious universities in the USA, Fatima Gülham possesses multicultural experience that allows her to work both in Turkey and internationally.
Although her exact birth date is not specified in official sources, Fatima Abushanab is estimated to have been born in the early 1990s. Based on this information, her age is between 30 and 35.
There is no public information available regarding Fatima Gülham Abushanab's personal life. As there is no confirmed information about her marital status, she is presumed to be single. There are no posts or statements about this on social media or in the press.
Fatima Gülham earned her Bachelor's degree in International Relations at George Mason University in the USA. She later completed her Master's degree at the prestigious Georgetown University. Her Master's degree was in Muslim-Christian relations. This field provides deep knowledge, especially in interfaith dialogue, diplomatic language, and cultural interaction.
According to Turkish media, Fatima Gülham Abushanab came to Turkey in 2018. She has been working as an international relations specialist at the Presidential Administration for over 5 years. Since 2020, Fatima Gülham has also served as an official translator accompanying President Erdoğan during important diplomatic meetings.
The veiled translator of the Turkish President is highly proficient in three languages: Turkish, English, and Arabic.
Throughout her career, Fatima Gülham has also worked as a research fellow at renowned institutions such as the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the Woodrow Wilson Center, and the U.S. Congress. She possesses experience in diplomacy and communication at both academic and practical levels.
Fatima Gülham Abushanab's role as a translator has been questioned by opposition political circles. The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has, in some instances, raised doubts about her professionalism as a translator. According to claims, part of these doubts stems from her attire – wearing a headscarf. In 2022, statements by CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu targeting Fatima Abushanab caused significant controversy, and the translator filed a lawsuit against Kılıçdaroğlu for criminal proceedings...
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