Making Connections Since 1970, Interpreters Unlimited Turns 55

This year Interpreters Unlimited (IU) marks a major milestone, 55 years of providing essential language services to organizations and individuals across the United States. What began in 1970 as a local interpreting company has grown into a nationally recognized leader in foreign language interpretation, American Sign Language (ASL), and document translation, serving thousands of clients from the smallest to largest corporations, healthcare, education, government, legal, and every other industry.

“Language is more than just words. It’s culture, connection, access and it’s essential” said Sayed Ali, President and CEO of Interpreters Unlimited. “For 55 years, our mission has remained the same, to ensure that no one is left out of critical conversations because of a language barrier.”

Over the decades, IU has evolved alongside the language services industry, leading the way with cutting edge solutions and a deep commitment to human expertise. Under the leadership of Sayed Ali since 2007, the company has expanded from its Southern California headquarters in San Diego to offices in multiple states, offering services nationwide in over 200 languages, including a dedicated division for ASL and access to On Site In Person interpretation, Over the Phone interpretation, and Video Remote interpretation.

But the company’s impact extends beyond its core services. IU has become a trusted voice in advocacy, working with national associations, policymakers, and industry peers to protect and promote language access. The company has played a key role in addressing challenges such as California’s AB5 legislation, advocating for the rights of interpreters and the communities they serve, and is currently working on solutions to the current administrations new Executive Order 14224 which is impacting the language service industry and the public’s access to the essential services they require day to day.

In recent years, IU has embraced the future of language services by integrating tech and AI driven tools to complement its human centered approach. From creating their own proprietary auto scheduling technology, to launching a mobile scheduling app, to expanding its services with hybrid Human x AI translation, the company continues to lead with purpose and innovation.

IU has also been well recognized over the years. They earned repeated placement on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list and received top rankings from industry analysts like Nimdzi and CSA Research. They’ve been honored with awards including the SBA Minority Owned Small Business of the Year, the US Chamber of Commerce CO-100 America’s Top 100 Small Businesses, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, Best in Biz Awards Service of the Year and the San Diego Business Journal Outstanding Social Responsibility Finalist to name a few. These accolades underscore IU’s reputation as both a fast growing business and a mission driven organization.

“55 years of service isn’t just about longevity, it’s about evolution,” said IU Vice President and COO Shamus Sayed. “We’ve seen massive shifts in technology, regulation, and the global economy. Through it all, we’ve stayed true to our values, accessibility, integrity, and community. This anniversary is a celebration of our past and a recommitment to our future.”

As Interpreters Unlimited celebrates this anniversary, it does so with gratitude for its clients, interpreters, partners, and team members, those who have contributed to every milestone. Today the company is focused on what’s next, continuing to expand nationally, leveraging technology and AI responsibly, and ensuring language equity remains a priority in all public and private sectors. With new technology on the horizon, shifting national policies, and growing diversity across the US, the need for trusted language services is only increasing, and IU is ready to meet the need now more than ever.