Translator - A.D.
B.A. in Social
Communications
10 yrs. experience
From your resume we notice that you have considerable professional experience beyond translation. So, why did you choose to become a translator over a regular 9-to-5 job?
I have worked as an Activities Director for over eight years in an international school here in Brazil, besides performing other roles in the hospitality sector for the majority of my professional life. Previously, when I started doing translation, it was because I had decided to become a mother and translation as a profession was something I could pursue from home. But translation as a profession became so demanding that after finishing my 9-to-5 job, I would have to stay up till two in the morning to complete assignments. When you commit to a translation job, then there is no backing out, and so I decided to make a choice, and I chose to become a full-time translator. I haven’t looked back since then and enjoy working as a full-time translator and reading new material before they get published.
It is very interesting to know that you chose English translation service as a career despite being a native Brazilian. Please tell me about your history and experience with the English language and do you think a person can be an expert in two such diverse languages?
My parents were Danish and I was born in Brazil, so our common language at home became English. Plus, I studied in an American school in Rio all my life (including my high school degree). The fact that you are educated in the language gives you a stronger foundation in grammar etc., than learning the language on the street.
How do you keep yourself updated with the recent happenings in the industry and the subjects you translate, and simultaneously maintain and improve your English language skills?
I am a contracted translator of a reputed publishing house which keeps me constantly updated with the recent happenings in the industry and my subject areas, as everything that they are publishing is checked by me first. With regard to improving my English language skills, I also occasionally teach and do some volunteer work for some very poor communities here, so I have to constantly review and re-view my English language skills.
Could you tell me about your areas of specialization?
Scientific publications are one of my major areas of specialization. Other areas that I have worked a lot in are translation of novels and a lot of marketing materials.
How do you actually go about translating manuscripts? What, according to you, are the essential attributes for a professional translator?
First of all, one of the main problems faced by a lot of the translators is the emergency deadline, which makes it very difficult for translators to do justice to an assignment. After I finish a translation assignment for the publishing house that I work for, I come back to it after a gap of at least a day to read it again, as this gives me a clean view of it. If you read it immediately after your translation, then you tend to be tired, you tend to read it fast and you are not able to give anything qualitative to your translation. So, I would say that time is crucial for a good translation, reading is crucial as you have to understand what you are reading in order to translate it in a proper way using correct grammar and terminologies.
Have you translated papers from outside of your areas of expertise? If yes, how have you worked on the selection and usage of technical terms for such assignments?
If it’s a very technical document which I am not comfortable with, I am very honest about it and don’t accept such assignments, as I would not like to compromise on the translation quality. In most cases, I always request from the author reference and glossary files to make sure that I use the right technical words. In cases where the author is not able to provide the same and they leave it to me to decide, then I try my best to research on the best websites that I can find on that subject. In such cases, I also highlight certain words/terms which I would like the author to double check.
Is there a difference between the translation of academic and non-academic papers?
70% of the assignments that I get are academic which is what I specialize in more. I would say non-academic papers are a lot less technical compared to the academic papers I have translated and usually don’t have a high level of difficulty, but cannot say for sure as I haven’t translated that many non-academic papers.
Could you give us an example of an assignment that challenged your skills as a translator?
One of the last ones I did that I found extremely interesting and challenging was a transcription assignment wherein I got a copy of the script and videos of the PowerPoint presentation about a conference on non-communicable diseases around the world. The presenters were presenting the problems plaguing their own country and their suggestive solutions. So, it was very interesting to find similarities between countries that are so far away and my own country.
What are your thoughts on the translation processes followed by Ulatus?
I think the process followed by Ulatus is really good and will result in a good paper in the end. I would say, perhaps, if you have a translator and checker that are paired more frequently with similar styles and who are comfortable in using the same types of words etc., then there won't be any unnecessary revisions based on purely a matter of preference and style. This is one suggestion that I would like to give. Otherwise, I think the process is very good and the end result is extremely good.
Have you used/are currently using any translation software and how has your experience been with it?
I have received papers for revisions which I first accepted but returned immediately on learning that they have been machine translated. Personally, I do not like machine translated files and I do not use any software or machine translation as I find its choice of words to be incorrect and there’s always a mix up of meanings and I just don’t feel comfortable working with them.
You have been working as a translator for over a decade now, how has your experience been with Ulatus compared to other agencies?
I think the experience has been very good. If ever I need to clarify a doubt, the responses have been fast, direct and very polite which I have found lacking with some other agencies I have worked for. All concerns are taken care of in a very professional way and my experience with Ulatus has been very positive.
