wort-wahl is a full-service interpreting agency, here to provide outstanding multilingual communication and technology solutions for your next event. We support in-person, online and hybrid events of all sizes – from meetings and large-scale conferences to delegation trips and small groups.
Since our launch in 2004 by founder Karin Rademacher, we’ve become a leader in the interpreting industry, serving local, regional and international clients from our home base in Cologne, Germany, as well as offices in the university city of Münster and the United Nations city of Bonn.
What makes us unique? We combine our passion for detailed and exceptional event organization with best-in-class interpreting to provide our clients with the highest quality multilingual experience.
What sets us apart from other agencies? Our project managers are seasoned interpreters – they know the questions to ask and the organizational details required for successful event interpreting. Since no two events are the same, we take the time to listen, understand your needs and design an individualized approach for your unique format. Our clients value the diligence and eye for detail we bring to the planning process and delight in the effectiveness and professionalism of our interpreting.
Our fees reflect the high standard of our services and talent – we work exclusively with qualified and experienced conference interpreters.
Our team at wort-wahl
Karin Rademacher
Conference Interpreter
Managing Director
Contact person for Cologne office & online conferences (Remote Simultaneous Interpreting, RSI, WebEx, Zoom, MS Teams, etc.)
T +49 221 759 344 20
M +49 179 528 12 69
k.rademacher@wort-wahl.de
Karin has over 20 years of experience as a conference interpreter and organizer of interpreting teams, both at home and abroad. Her passion for producing successful events is only matched by her passion for a really good espresso.
Working languages:German (A), English (B), Italian (C)
Language combinations:
German<>English | Italian > German
Unforgettable moments:
- The privilege of interpreting for marginalized populations in Sri Lanka and India – I will never forget the warmth and genuineness of the people I met.
- Live interpretation of Pope Francis and President Barack Obama’s meeting in the White House Garden for the German TV channel Phoenix – an impressive mixture of affection, humor and respect.
Samsara Grabs
Conference Interpreter
Deputy Agency Manager
Contact person for Münster office & hybrid events
T +49 221 759 344 20
M +49 177 405 85 30
s.grabs@wort-wahl.de
Samsara is the globetrotter of our team. She was born in Austria and spent many years living in India, Portugal, Spain, Great Britain and South America. No wonder intercultural communication is one of her strengths.
Working languages:
German (A), English (B), Spanish (C)
Language combinations:
German <> English | Spanish > German
Unforgettable moments:
- 3-week concert tour with Uriah Heep, Nazareth and Wishbone Ash – perhaps I should consider a second career in music…
- Interview with Irvin D. Yalom, author and founder of existential psychotherapy – it was a touching insight into the life of a man who has made such a difference.
Dominik Fromm
Conference Interpreter
Project Manager
Contact person for Bonn office & interpreting technology
T +49 228 360 386 61
M +49 151 756 679 16
d.fromm@wort-wahl.de
Dominik is a true “Cologne Kid” and a Brazilian at heart – a typical multicultural interpreter. He brings valuable project management experience to the team from his time at a London-based translation agency.
Working languages:
German (A), English (B), Spanish (C)
Language combinations:
German <> English | Spanish > German
Unforgettable moments:
- A British-German exchange with the Mayor of Oxford – British humor is understated and infectious.
- A symposium of the children’s missionary organization “Die Sternsinger” (“The Carol Singers”) – for me, being involved with charitable organizations is essential and as a long-time carol singer, I had a very personal connection to this event.
Lea Herentrey
Conference Interpreter
Project Manager
Contact person for translations & video dubbing
T +49 221 759 344 20
M +49 157 883 783 99
l.herentrey@wort-wahl.de
Lea is a conference interpreter and technical translator with a passion for terminology and project management. She comes by it naturally – as a pragmatic child of the Ruhr area, she was born with a focus on achieving results.
Working languages:
German (A), English (B)
Language combinations:
German <> English
Unforgettable moments:
- Giving my voice to nuns from Africa who experienced abuse and sharing their story in a German context was very moving.
- A lecture on self-defense made me aware of the need for healthy vigilance in everyday life – an approach I’ve maintained ever since.
Kerstin has been with wort-wahl since July 2018 and oversees our accounting. She also provides essential support for customer care and project management.
With her attention to detail and eye for the big picture, she is instrumental in the day-to-day operations – not to mention a peaceful, calming presence.
A trained optician whose diverse professional background ranges from accounting to customer service, she’s the ideal addition to our team. And as a mother of five, she’s a true organizational talent.
Laura joined our team in the fall of 2020. She grew up bilingual speaking German and Russian, and spent a year abroad living in Canada. She is currently studying at the University of Heidelberg with the aim of becoming a conference interpreter for German, Russian and English.
Laura’s enthusiasm for interpreting is a real inspiration to us. She began sitting in on live events in 2019 and since then has immersed herself in the world of video conference interpreting. This access to practical implementation in the business world has only enriched her academic studies.
Though we’ll have to wait until she’s completed her education, we’re already looking forward to working with Laura in the interpreting booth someday.
Our freelance conference interpreters are highly professional colleagues with knowledge of European and non-European languages as well as numerous specialist areas. They are accomplished experts who provide interpreting services of the highest caliber and share our commitment to our clients’ success.
For interpreting and conference technology, we’re proud to partner with trusted vendors who offer industry-leading solutions for in-person, online and hybrid events, throughout Germany and internationally. Their cutting-edge technical equipment and highly specialized, experienced technicians ensure that background operations run smoothly and interpreting events are secure and seamless.
