Native English (US) speaker in Monterey, United States
"Full service, publication-ready French translations"
I consider all my work to be creative - in my opinion, translation is very much an art. I have translated traditional African tales, excerpts of novels, and several pop culture-inspired cookbooks. I almost always jump at the chance to try on a new writing ‘voice’.
If you’re looking for the most direct, literal translation of a text: I am not your person.
If, on the other hand, you need to adapt a cookbook to use familiar ingredients and techniques, translate a homesteading guide or gardening manual, or just help people focus on what you’re saying rather than what language it was said in: Let’s talk.
Here’s what I do
I translate French food, fragrance, floristry, and sustainable living for the American market. I have an MA in Translation and Interpreting and am ATA Certified; I studied perfumery in Paris and flavors with ISIPCA, and I’m also a farmer-florist who keeps up with the latest permaculture-based methods.
My past projects include:
Press kits for new perfume releases
Cookbooks by well-known chefs and major brands
Training courses for international cosmetics companies
In-house magazines for a premium tea brand
What it’s like working with me
I’m on your team: I make suggestions and flag inconsistencies so you can be confident you’re sending exactly the right message
I won’t leave you hanging: I’m flexible and responsive
I genuinely love my work, and it shows in the quality of my translations
My rate is all-inclusive
I translate each text, have a bilingual editor review it, then conduct a full final proof.
I’m an interpreter, too!
Helping people communicate directly across a language barrier is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
I’m a conference interpreter and can facilitate your meeting or event in person or via remote interpreting technologies.
Client feedback
“I very much appreciate your time and dedication to this project. It turned out so great because we made a great team.”
“Top marks :-D Thanks again”
“[Le client] a souhaité passer avec un autre prestataire. Nous les avons convaincus de retravailler avec vous ! Le travail est beaucoup plus qualitatif et les retours plus réactifs”
As a writer in my native language, this is how I would describe my style
I’m a bit of a chameleon, of course, but my natural writing style is friendly, clear, approachable, and evocative. I do love throwing in subtle word play when it’s appropriate.
I work closely with my clients to make sure I’m giving them the style and terminology they want. I frown quite severely on clients who make changes to a translation without running them by me - I’ve intercepted some serious bloopers that way!
When clients request literal translations, this is how I handle the situation
Even when there’s no room for creative license (on a contract or form), a word-for-word translation is often awkward or even confusing.
For example, in French, customers being asked to sign up for something will see “Je m’inscris !” Translating that phrase directly as “I register!” doesn’t work for an American audience. They’re used to being encouraged to “Register now”.
Your translation should have the same impact and effect as the original text, and sometimes that takes different words.
This is how I solved a recent terminology, style, or linguistic challenge
French baking recipes commonly use vanilla sugar for flavor, whereas American recipes rely mostly on (unsweetened) vanilla extract. When this came up in my last cookbook, I adapted the recipe by increasing the sugar in the dry ingredients, then adding vanilla extract and reducing another liquid component by the equivalent amount.
I flagged the changes to the client, who was happy not to include a hard-to-find ingredient in an otherwise simple recipe.
Top-quality, reliable, and extremely professional. I was always very impressed with the quality of your translations and have recommended you many times when I am not available.
I very much appreciate your time and dedication to this project. It turned out so great because we made a great team. Very much looking forward to working with you again in the future.
I meant to tell you what a tremendous job you did on “Agir pour le verdissement des territoires.” Many thanks in particular for that, as well as all the others too!