Cultural exchanger and active court interpreter, Ting Weir emigrated from Nanning China to Bismarck North Dakota in 2019. She has lived here for five years and has faced adversity in employment, health and culture shock.
In 2019, she was acquiring a green card, meaning Weir could not be employed. Without coworkers or friendly faces, she battled loneliness for the first half-year she was here. To combat the isolation, she would spend time with her dog and take it for walks daily, praying that anyone would converse with her.
“I almost had cabin fever,” Weir said.
Then, a shift happened when Weir and her neighbors began talking. They reached out and invited her to gatherings where she observed American culture. She met her now husband at one of these parties. Weir learned about varying ethnicities here in North Dakota and became more familiar with the community. She described the people in Mandan and Bismarck as friendly, helpful, and, in a way, protective.
In a year, she married her husband and was going to give birth to her first son. During her pregnancy, she discovered her kidneys were failing and was diagnosed with severe anemia. She began dialysis, a treatment that replicated the function of her kidneys, 3 days a week, for hours. Weir did not know if she or her son would survive.
“I didn’t really have too life quality. Every day you feel very drowsy,” said Weir.
Weir was placed on the organ donor list, but it could be 3 years before she received a kidney transplant. Donations were sparse due to Covid complications.
Unexpectedly, and to Weir’s surprise, she was able to receive a kidney transplant within 6 months. The successful operation meant Weir would be able to watch her son grow up, something she had to face the thought of not being able to see.
After the procedure, she felt famous in the hospital. It felt like everyone knew who she was. Following a KFYR interview that detailed her harrowing experience, she reflected on the kind-hearted patients, doctors, and reporters that she had met, which was a relief for her as a recent immigrant.
“They just wanted me to be good,” Weir said. “I’m very thankful about this part.”
During her lengthy stay in the hospital, Weir saw fellow patients using online interpreters. Weir had a strong medical background, having been a nurse for over 7 years, and was familiar with medical terminology. She saw her skills as an opportunity to become an interpreter to help people who could not express themselves due to the language barrier.
While Weir was growing up it was uncommon for the English language to be taught in general Chinese schools. It was typical to see TV shows that painted the U.S. as a place where people could receive a “happily ever after”. However, the medical field revealed a realistic perspective. Weir aided patients in fighting all kinds of battles like cancer, kidney failure, and other hardships.
“I found my mission,” Weir said.
Weir began interpreting outside of hospitals and working on court cases as well. Whether it was a call that someone was having a heart attack or that she needed to assist a lawyer, she was on her way. Unfortunately, witnessing manipulation, domestic violence and other calamities in court took its toll on Weir’s mental health.
“It was affecting you too,“ Weir said, “All these people need me.”
Trying to maintain a positive headspace while being a neutral, professional and level-headed interpreter was exhausting. Working out and focusing on family is what helped Weir the most. She received the most encouragement from her husband.
Despite the often disheartening circumstances of her job as an interpreter, Weir finds it rewarding. She has come to appreciate and enjoy the spontaneity and variety of her lifestyle.
“I am very happy,“ Weir said. “I have been doing this job and I’m still doing it now because I feel like doing something bigger than myself.”
Weir’s story emphasizes the importance of being versatile and resilient. It also doted on the compassionate communities of Bismarck and Mandan which made her transition easier. Caring for individuals who welcomed her, like her husband and neighbors, made all the difference, inspiring Weir to give what she could back.
Ting Weir is a Chinese tutor and active interpreter. She offers her language and knowledge as a connection between cultures. “We can learn from each other, rather than just fight against each other,” Weir said. “Language is just a tool to teach something deeper behind it”