Linguistic services.
Translating meaning, not words.
Translation.
Translation is about conveying the true meaning of the source language in the target language. I always steer clear of literal translations as they can sound jarring and awkward to native speakers. Instead, I provide creative and idiomatic renderings of the original text.
Proofreading.
Proofreading involves a different skill set to translation and is more focused on the minutiae. Many people believe that proofreading simply entails spotting a few spelling and grammar errors, but I find that inconsistency of language and syntax are more challenging to fix.
Consultancy.
Linguistic consultancy goes beyond standard translation services. It can involve providing advice on cultural differences or on connotations of word choices, helping voice actors pronounce certain words, support on launching products or campaigns in certain locales, and much more.
Languages spoken.
Japanese.
I have over 12 years’ experience translating Japanese into English, predominantly in the marketing and medical fields. Having lived in Japan and worked in a Japanese company in London, I have developed a deep understanding of Japanese culture and traditions.
Did you know?
There is no way of pluralising words in Japanese, so it must be derived from context. This can be very tricky when translating into English. Often when I’m translating medical articles, they refer to patients who have “tumour” – having one tumour or multiple tumours can make a big difference, so I must make educated choices (e.g. by reading the CT or MRI scan if provided, or inferring from the disease course) to translate it appropriately.
French.
I have over 10 years’ experience translating French into English, across a wide variety of areas. Having lived in Nantes, France, for 6 months as part of a university exchange programme, I have become au fait with French culture and its unique sensibilities.
Did you know?
Compared to French, English is a much more concise language. Despite using the same alphabet, you can expect English sentences to be around 20% shorter than their French counterparts. This might not seem important, but when you’re designing visual campaigns, it can have a big impact on the layout and overall look.
Spanish.
I have over 10 years’ experience translating Spanish into English, mostly in the pharmaceutical field. I have travelled extensively in Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, allowing me to absorb the linguistic and cultural differences therein.
Did you know?
There’s no such thing as “universal Spanish” – every one of the 20 countries in which Spanish is an official language has a unique dialect or preference for certain words. You just have to Google “coger” and you’ll get what I mean…