Let’s start with the professional bits about me, so you know your translations are in safe hands
Contrary to what my in-laws think, I don’t just spend all day watching [redacted name of streaming service…!]. I take on all range of briefs from various industries.
In traditional Italian style, my weekends are all about la famiglia. But there’s no Monday blues for me as I send my children into school with a smile and a “see ya!”
Because while of course I adore them, I also adore what I do.
I get to help businesses reach a much wider client-base than they would without localisation. I also love making media content more accessible through subtitling and translating for dubbing. It’s all the little challenges that make it interesting, like space constraints, timings, or translating super-colloquial phrases and wordplay.
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of finding the right way to translate an obscure bit of slang!
I’ve always been obsessed with getting the nuance and context absolutely perfect. When I first moved to Italy I had my pocket dictionary with me at all times. Whenever my friends would make a joke I’d be there leafing through to make sure I’d understood exactly what they meant. I was “Stefanie, The One With The Dictionary”!
Not bragging (okay, I am), but I know all my prepositions and subjunctive verbs. I’m basically Italian. If certificates are what you’re after, I’ve got a degree in Italian (BA Hons) and I’m an Associate Member of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI). I’m studying to become a Professional Member, a higher level of ITI membership that requires a professional exam.
I’m also Professional Member of of SUBTLE – the Subtitlers’ Association. I love learning, so I take every opportunity I get to hone and build on my skills.
“People send you words in Italian and you do them in English”
– my eldest, aged 5
Now the bit that shows you I’m a real-life Anglo-Italian human being.
My two young children keep me on my toes, so I have to be super organised. When it’s time to unwind, I absolutely love reading, having a glass of wine (a nice Barbera Superiore, usually) and nibbling on some chocolate – even better if I can do all three at the same time! Which almost never happens, thanks to the aforementioned two young children.
We’re very lucky to live within touching distance of some of the world’s finest vineyards, which helps. But to bring it back to what I do, there are three things you really mustn’t go cheap on.
- Quality wine
- Quality chocolate
- Quality translation services
