CV (Curriculum Vitae) / Résumé

I have been a Member of the Institute of Linguists since 1986, have a BA (Hon) in Applied Language Studies (French and Spanish) which was translation and interpreting-based and included a specialism in French legal translation, and I also have an Institute of Linguists Postgraduate Diploma in Translation (Spanish).

I have always worked with languages, whether as part of my employment or freelance. My previous full-time employment included working for the translators at the Western European Union diplomatic organisation in London before it moved to Brussels (transcribing minutes of European Ministers’ meetings in both French and English, liaising with translators, speaking French), and also assisting the London-based Deputy Director of the European Anti-Piracy Operations of the Motion Picture Export Association of America, which involved translation from Spanish of documents relating to intellectual property. It is difficult to quantify the translations carried out in these posts, as well as those not specifically in the legal field, but, as you can see, I have experience of different areas.

With regard to translating, I work freelance from both French and Spanish into English in a variety of fields: legal (such as letters, court rulings, marriage/death certificates, etc.), medical (various), commercial (from correspondence to advertising on products) and general. Working freelance, I have translated around over 20,000 words from Spanish that were legally-related, and many others that were of a general or business nature, as well as documents from French. The Spanish documents have included birth, marriage and death certificates, powers of attorney, court proceedings and rulings, and legal correspondence. The French translations have included medical, commercial and general texts.

With regard to interpreting, I currently work freelance for Everyday Language Solutions in Stockton on Tees, a charity which provides interpreters in a variety of languages for local Hospital Trusts, PCTs and support agencies, dealing very much with asylum seekers. Previous to this, I worked freelance for Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, interpreting Spanish/English for patients.

In both capacities, translator and interpreter, I always adhere to the professional codes of ethics, and have experience of working with people from different backgrounds. I can bring confidentiality, sensitivity and respect to the roles.

Education