Rethinking Reputation

Rethinking Reputation

By:Ann (Jiraporn) Heath-Huynh

Growing up in an Asian household, I believe that many of us were taught how to behave in such a way that we build and retain a good reputation in the eyes of society. Simply put, “Face-saving value is a cultural value prioritizing the preservation of dignity, reputation, and social harmony by avoiding public embarrassment, shame, or confrontation. It involves managing public image to maintain “face” (social credit/respect) and often necessitates indirect communication, emotional restraint, and diplomatic conflict resolution, particularly in high-context, hierarchical cultures.”¹

You may recall a song in Mulan,² “Honor to Us All,” which highlights the societal pressure on women to become ideal and obedient in order to find a “good husband.” This type of belief teaches us to focus on reputation and how it can affect us in both our personal and professional lives. But can we rely on impressive titles or a killer marketing strategy, or the external façade of an individual, to shape someone’s reputation?

Sometimes, it’s the little moments in life that make us memorable.
How we listen to others, how we make them feel seen or heard, how we validate their existence as a person in society.

Continuing with the idea from my last post³—how to use “finite thinking” in our practice as legal interpreters—when we are mindful of our actions, we become more intentional and present. When we approach our personal and professional lives this way, our interactions become more meaningful. Instead of being distracted or simply going through the motions, we engage fully in the moment and with the people around us. This shift moves us away from a transactional mindset, where interactions are just tasks to complete, and toward a more thoughtful and human-centered way of connecting.

Small gestures of kindness, such as showing patience, offering reassurance, or displaying empathy, can have a significant impact on how people feel. When individuals feel cared for and supported, it enhances their emotional state. Happier individuals tend to be more cooperative, open, and willing to engage, improving the quality of interaction and collaboration.

In the context of interpretation, kind and considerate actions by interpreters—such as attentively listening, clarifying information with sensitivity, and responding with respect—can significantly enhance the comfort and emotional well-being of the people we assist. This not only helps reduce stress and anxiety, but also facilitates more effective communication, greater trust, and a smoother exchange of information. In essence, the interpreter’s small acts of empathy create an environment that supports both understanding and cooperation.

In these small actions, we demonstrate emotional intelligence. And emotional intelligence is what makes us truly memorable.

Research shows that emotionally rich interactions, positive first impressions⁴, and perceived similarity all enhance how well we remember others. Individuals with high emotional intelligence naturally create these conditions—by being present, empathetic, and attuned—making their interactions more meaningful and ultimately more memorable.

All of this requires no prestigious title and no financial investment.

Just be there.

You will be remembered more for your emotional impact than your words alone.

References

¹ Erving Goffman. (1967). Interaction ritual: Essays on face-to-face behavior. New York, NY: Pantheon Books.
Stella Ting-Toomey. (1988). Intercultural conflict styles: A face-negotiation theory. In Y. Y. Kim & W. B. Gudykunst (Eds.), Theories in intercultural communication (pp. 213–235). Sage.
Geert Hofstede. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations (2nd ed.). Sage.

² Cook, B., & Bancroft, T. (Directors). (1998). Mulan. Walt Disney Pictures.

³ Huynh, J. (February 12, 2026). Playing The Infinite Game In Your Interpreting Career.https://najit.org/playing-the-infinite-game-in-your-interpreting-career/

⁴ Lass-Hennemann, J., Kuehl, L. K., Schulz, A., Oitzl, M. S., & Schachinger, H. (2011).
Stress strengthens memory of first impressions of others’ positive personality traits

Keep the Conversation Going

If this topic resonated with you, be sure to check out our previous blog posts for more insights on the realities of our profession, and the evolving world of judiciary translation and interpreting:

• The Couch: Are “Translator Headphones” Giving You the Ick Too? — What does it mean for our field when tools like “translator headphones” are embraced by the public without a clear understanding of interpreting?
  What’s Going On in Our Field Right Now? — A lot is shifting in our field right now, and it’s time we start talking about it together.
• A Matter of Due Process — When attorneys challenge not just accuracy but the process of interpreting, where does due process begin and end?

You can find these and more in our blog archives!

Interested in sharing your insights with our community? Check out Writing for The NAJIT Observer to learn how you can contribute.

The images used in this post are sourced from Unsplash, Pixabay, AI generated, and/or credited to their rightful owner. They are used for illustrative purposes only.

Ann (Jiraporn) Heath-Huynh

Blog Writer

Hi, all, I’m Ann (Jiraporn) Heath-Huynh, and I grew up in a bilingual Thai-English household, seamlessly navigating both languages from an early age. Living on four continents has shaped my global perspective, but the U.S. is where I now call home. My journey in the language field began after the birth of my daughter in 2010, evolving from a part-time job into a career I deeply love. Since joining the Maryland Judiciary’s roster of interpreters in 2015, I have embraced various opportunities, including Department of State Conference Interpretation for Thai and English. Although I primarily work as a conference interpreter, I hold a special connection to Maryland courts, where I’m proud to accept assignments and wear my first-ever interpreter’s badge. I’m eager to share my experiences and insights to enrich and inspire our professional community.