Industry sector
IT and Technical Language Services

Background
French, German & Russian at school; BA(Hons) in Languages (Interpreting & Translation), French & German, from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Two semesters abroad at the Universität des Saarlandes in Saarbrücken, Germany, and at ESUCA in Toulouse.

Did you work in another career before becoming a translator?
After graduating I spent 3 months working for IBM as a multilingual front-line helpdesk agent, supporting users in the UK & Ireland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Austria. I then worked at a German software company for the next 4 years, firstly as a technical translator and localiser, then also as a translation project manager within the localisation projects for the English, Czech, Polish and Slovene versions of the software. Since returning to the UK, I’ve been a freelance technical translator and localiser, providing translation and localisation services to clients throughout Europe.

What does the term “localiser” mean?
Briefly, localisation is all about transforming a product or service (such as a website or a software program) from one locale (i.e. a distinct, region-specific cultural and linguistic setting) to another. It includes, but is not restricted to translation. For example, it might involve selecting a brand new set of images for a brochure or website, to reflect the expectations of UK-based customers.

So, why did you go into translation?
Primarily, it was what I had always wanted to do. I had also always planned to go freelance, but not until much later in my career, after building up experience working inhouse. However, on returning to the UK, I started freelancing while looking for permanent work, and found that I was actually quite capable of making a career out of it there and then.

How did the early stages of your career contribute to your success as a translator?
IBM taught me a lot about how big corporations work, while working in Germany gave me an insight into corporate life there, which I just didn’t get while living there as a student.

Is there a big market for translating websites?
The great thing about the web is that it grows from minute to minute. Consequently, the demand for translators who can work within the confines of web pages and who understand the inner workings of the latest technologies is expanding at an incredible rate.

What do you like most about your work?
I’m on the cutting edge – sometimes even the bleeding edge! My work on the web and with other Internet technologies has also opened new doors to me in terms of additional skills I can offer my existing translation clients.

What kind of skills do you need?
The language skills are obviously paramount, but the importance of the skill of translation itself must not be underestimated. The fact that I work freelance also means I need to have skills in business management, while my IT-oriented subject area demands the ability to understand new technical concepts quickly, often despite a total lack of documentation or background material.

What are the advantages of working freelance?
Freelancing suits the way I work down to the ground. I really appreciate the fact that the deadline is the most important aspect, rather than being in the office from 9 to 5. Of course, my clients need to be able to reach me whenever they are at work, but modern technology means I can answer most queries wherever I am. Working online on a live translation project while speeding down the East Coast main line from Scotland to London is a great experience!