I have been working on some really interesting projects so far this year. Probably my favourite has been a sequence of marketing texts for a theme park where it was essential to retain the magic of this special place in my translations but also to re-adjust some of the words and expressions so they were … Continue reading Viva 2023 – here’s to a busy year!
Throughout history there have been some really important figures who have had a profound influence on translation. Often with a particular agenda and motivation as regards the role of translation, they all had their own ideas about how translation should be undertaken. The perceived function and responsibilities of the translator have always been in a … Continue reading Historical figures associated with translation
Contrary to popular belief.... …..translation is not just a case of transferring words systematically from one language to another. If it were, Google Translate would be ideal for carrying out translations. Other aspects, however, need to be taken into account at all times during the translation process. These include context, purpose, new audience, culture and … Continue reading What do I offer as a translator?
For those that don't know me very well, I thought it was about time I introduced myself. You can think of this post as a kind of CV in story form as it has partly been written to enhance my job prospects and grow my freelance business. However, as it has also been written for … Continue reading Me, myself and I – a personal profile
While the phrase ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ has been labelled as a Chinese proverb and attributed to the philosopher, Confucius, it was actually popularised in the 1920s by Fred R. Barnard in the United States. He used the phrase to discuss the use of drawn and photographic images to illustrate advertising. A picture may convey an … Continue reading A photo is worth a thousand words… but should I put one on my CV?
Kaizen is a Japanese way of running a company by always trying to improve the way people work and what they do. It is a philosophy and practice of continuous improvement. This way of doing things is practiced at the Nissan car factory in the North East of England. Managers and workers are constantly trying … Continue reading Kaizen, lightbulbs and Continuous Professional Development
When studying for my degree in Spanish and History with the Open University I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to become a translator afterwards. However, when I started to talk to people about it, it soon became apparent that without an appropriate qualification in translation at degree or post-graduate … Continue reading MA in Translation
In today’s globalised world, translation is an activity that continues to grow at a rapid pace. It seems to be everywhere we look. It is fundamental to the United Nations, the European Union, the World Trade Organisation and many other international bodies that regulate aspects of modern life. It is part and parcel of modern … Continue reading What is translation?
As I hesitantly make preparations to begin the third and final module of my MA in Translation, I thought it important to remind myself of the main skills and attributes of a good translator. This exercise, I felt, would help to signal my level of proficiency and also identify any areas that needed improving, as … Continue reading What makes a good translator?
Lucid Eye Translations 