Frequently Asked Questions
How do translation and interpreting differ?
Translation is essentially a matter of rewriting the meaning of a written foreign language text in our own language. It is important that professional translators work only into their mother tongue. The final text should read as though it were written by a native English speaker with the correct cultural awareness for the target language - it should not feel like a translation. I use the appropriate style for the target audience and carry out research for accurate and consistent terminology.
Interpreting however is another, quite different, linguistic skill involving transfering the meaning of the spoken word.
Into which languages do you translate?
I translate from French and Spanish into English. My mother tongue is English so I work exclusively into English.
American and British English often use quite different terminology and even have differences regarding grammar; so that American text feels comfortable and relevant outside the US I can localise American (US) English to British (UK) English.
How do Editing and Proofreading differ?
During proofreading I check and correct: spelling, grammar, terminology consistency, spacing and syntax.
Editing includes everything indicated for proofreading with the addition of correcting the text where necessary, either because: it does not accurately reflect the meaning of the source text, or because it needs rewording in order to flow well.
Print 