Services

As a native English speaker, I translate into English from French, German, Spanish and Dutch.

My specialist areas are Marketing, Commerce, Business Administration and General Law, but I have experience in a wide range of subject areas.

I accept documents in hard copy, MS Office formats and PDF, and I use Trados Studio 2024 translation memory software.

I am able to accommodate jobs of all sizes and all deadlines, from personal correspondence or birth certificates for individual customers to website content or business documentation for multinational companies.

Proofreading (or review) is a very important stage in the translation process – and indeed the production of any written material – serving as an additional safety net and preventing costly misunderstandings or potentially embarrassing mistakes from making their way through to publication.

At its simplest level, proofreading involves correcting punctuation, spelling and grammar and, in the case of translated text, checking the accuracy of the translation against the source.

However, it may also extend to substantial re-writing to improve consistency, clarity and coherence, at which point it is better referred to as editing or copy editing.

Not only do I thoroughly check my own translations with a rigorous attitude towards accuracy and stylistic quality, but I also offer a full proofreading and editing service on third-party documentation – this may be work done by other translators, whether junior or experienced, or documents written originally in English by either native or non-native authors.

American and British English, though fundamentally the same language, have a surprising number of differences, and it is very important to ensure that the correct ‘flavour’ is used when writing content specifically for a UK audience.

The differences between US English and UK English range from the obvious – vocabulary (e.g. sidewalk vs. pavement) and spelling (e.g. aluminum vs. aluminium) – through to the more subtle – grammar (e.g. did you finish yet? vs. have you finished yet?) and punctuation (e.g. red, white, and blue vs. red, white and blue).

The different flavours also have differing preferences when it comes to title capitalisation and preposition use (e.g. on the weekend vs. at the weekend). Not to mention the potentially very confusing differences in date format (01/07/2019 means January 7th 2019 in one and 1st July 2019 in the other!).

If you have existing US English documentation that you would like to convert for use in the UK, I can review and localise the vocabulary, spelling, grammar, punctuation and formatting as appropriate for a UK English market.

Language is a complex thing, full of subtle distinctions and nuances, and governed by a system of often illogical rules. It is a fundamental part of everyday life, heavily influenced by culture, tradition and context, and the basis of all communication.

Yet language can also create barriers in communication, and in a global business environment it is essential to overcome these barriers. Correct use of foreign languages can be an important tool in establishing good relationships and gaining the respect of people of other linguistic backgrounds.

I can provide advice on all kinds of linguistic issues. Whatever your language requirements, whether you would like assistance in understanding the key points in a foreign language document, or you are interested in discussing the feasibility of translating your website content, I would be delighted to hear from you.

When time is too short to embark on a full translation process, I can provide support in other ways, such as face-to-face discussion or telephone calls with a contact abroad.