ABOUT ME

I have been involved in languages and learning all my life, which is not surprising as I’ve lived most of my life in non-English speaking countries.

The discovery of a French text book in a bookcase when I was a child triggered my lifelong interest in foreign languages and awoke my talent for them. This aptitude for languages led me to completing a diploma for bilingual secretaries in Spanish and French at Salford College of Technology (now Salford University). I then worked at various international companies in the UK, France and Belgium before settling in Germany and working for one of the top German law firms for several years in Cologne and Brussels.

This was followed by a period of travel, spending time in the USA, Spain, the UK and Switzerland before returning to Germany. To keep my brain active during my nomadic period, I studied for a Bachelors of Science (Honours) in Psychology from the Open University. Along the way I also gained a knowledge of various branches of industry while working at a variety of companies, including television, manufacturing, technology, sales and insurance, and honed my language skills.

Upon returning to Germany I concentrated on obtaining official acknowledgement of my German language skills, firstly by passing the TESTDAF (German language level requirement for university study) and then a diploma in translation from the Institute of Linguists Education Trust in London.

Always wanting to learn more and to specialise in legal translation, I decided to do a Master of Arts in Legal Translation at City University, London, which I obtained in 2013 with distinction.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master of Arts in Legal Translation with Distinction, City University, London
MA dissertation: A Comparative Analysis of Modifier Patterns in German Legal Texts Translated into English

Diploma in Translation, Institute of Linguists Educational Trust, London
Semi-specialised papers: business and law (with merit)

Freelance translator since 1998.