What I Do: Translate and interpret between French and English

Why I Do It: Translating is the only one of my fantasy professions that I can do in real life. In-house jobs are rare in my area, and I’m finally in a position, financially and personally, where I can begin freelancing.

My Philosophy: As a translator, I strive for accuracy, good style, and adherence to deadlines. My goal is to produce a document that conveys the information and tone of the original, yet sounds as if a native speaker wrote it. As a medical interpreter, my goal is to ensure the best possible patient care by facilitating communication between provider and patient. Translation and interpretation are my favorite things to do, and I work harder at them than anything else.

My Languages and How I Learned Them: While earning my BA in Comparative Literature (French and German) from the University of Illinois, I lived in the French House, where the residents communicated primarily in French. I studied French literature, language and civilization at the Université Paul Valéry in Montpellier, France. I went on to the University of Michigan, where I studied and taught French for five years, earning an MA and completing three years of doctoral studies. I have also studied Spanish, German, and Latin.

My specializations and how I came to have them:
At the moment, I specialize in health care and medicine, and I have done translations in various subject areas. My work experience, training, and hobbies and interests have led me to specialize in the following areas:

Medicine/Health Care: Currently I’m a medical interpreter and Approved Translator at the University of Michigan Health System. I interpret in both general and specialty clinics, working mostly with West African patients. My translation experience includes medical forms, descriptions of psychiatric treatment programs, and community health brochures. I am certified in Cross Cultural Health Care’s Bridging the Gap and have successfully completed a continuing-education course in medical terminology and body systems.

Literary History and Criticism: Two degrees and ten years of study in the field made me familiar with major themes and terminology in literature and developed my capacity for textual analysis, which has served me well as a translator. I specialized in Renaissance literature and theories of laughter. Translating jokes is often about as effective as explaining them, but if someone tries to explain why you laugh at them, I can translate that.

General History/History of the Book: Because my dissertation topic was laughter and print culture in the Renaissance, I have done research in both book history and general history of the period. I attended summer Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, where I studied the arcane subject of descriptive bibliography. Currently I belong to a reading group in the history of books and printing which covers a broader time period. I translated (English>French) dissertation proposals for graduate students in history applying for fellowships to study in France.

Linguistics: Linguistics was my undergraduate minor. I also have graduate coursework in foreign-language pedagogy and have taught French and ESL (English as a Second Language.)

Gastronomy/Culinary History: Cooking is a hobby and a passion as well as a necessity. I have cooked and baked out of need and enjoyment since childhood, and have done extensive reading in the areas of gastronomy and culinary history. My practical experience includes working for gourmet and natural foods retailers. As a volunteer, I helped to catalog the Culinary History Collection at the University of Michigan Library.

Needlecrafts: Crochet, knitting, and embroidery are also longstanding hobbies of mine. Self-teaching of the crafts led me to research their history and technique.

General conversation/letters/documents/certificates/genealogy: I’ve translated these types of documents for clients, colleagues, friends, and family.