Sally has very kindly volunteered to be my first interviewee for MTTM 2025, so please enjoy reading about her translation trajectory.

Could you start by telling us about your language combinations?
I translate from German to English and occasionally from French to English.

How did you learn your source languages?
I was born in Munich to an English mother and Scottish father. Both spoke fluent German. We returned to the UK when I was a year old. Nevertheless, I grew up hearing my parents speak German to friends who visited and wanted to understand what they were saying. As soon as German was offered at school, I grabbed the chance. And, very quickly, my parents no longer had a secret language! We spent many holidays in France when I was young, particularly in the Dordogne. French enchanted me from day one, so it was a no-brainer for me to take it up at school.

What are your specialisms, and why?
That’s an interesting question. I spent many years working for the German Geological Survey, so have always been fascinated by the environment, fossil fuels and their impact, as well as wind power. Later, I was an in-house translator for an engineering company and discovered my ability to get my brain around engineers’ German (a world of its own!) At the beginning of my freelancing career, I was lucky to share an office with an older, experienced translator who dealt with a lot of contracts and legal texts. He taught me so much and I enjoy the structure of contracts. I also wear another, more creative hat. I spent years translating articles in a design magazine published by the German Design Council. One of my main customers is a manufacturer of high-end furniture and I relish tackling product descriptions, creating slogans and advertising material for them. However, my true forte lies in producing translations that require a solid journalistic style. Lately, I’ve been tweaking my skills to adapt to the world of SEO, which requires shorter, more bite-sized texts.

When did you decide to become a translator, and why?
My dad started off as a translator from Russian to English before he moved to a career at the BBC as a journalist for the World Service. He always said that the secret to translating or writing well was an economy of words, good general knowledge and curiosity about the world in general. That has always stuck with me because all those factors very much describe me.

Can you talk us through the courses and qualifications you have taken over the years, and which have been most beneficial for your translation career?
I have taken multiple courses in legal and financial translation, but also done creative writing workshops and sessions. Upskilling is vital if you want to grow as a translator. But one of the most beneficial aspects of attending courses is the other, very smart people you meet there. It’s an opportunity to broaden your horizons.

How do you find clients?
When I embarked on my freelancing career, I had just been made redundant. But my ex-employer still needed translations and was happy to commission me. I went to many networking events, conferences, did a lot of courses and I had (and still do have) lots of referrals from people who were pleased with my work. Some of my customers left their companies and went to others. Often, they took me with them! But, if I’m honest, much of the time it’s a question of luck and being in the right place at the right time.

Which groups or organisations are you a member of, and which do you find most beneficial?
I would very much like to give a shout-out to ADUE-Nord. The events they have organised have been very absorbing and fun over the years. Last year, I also joined the ITI Beauty, Fashion and Luxury Network, which I found via LinkedIn. They offer some fabulous webinars and events for a very low membership fee.

How would you like your career to develop over the next five years?
An odd aspect of growing older is that I feel about 35. But my ID card tells another story. When my husband retires in just under three years, I hope to join him. My goal is to continue to do a good job until then. If I can find something suitable, I’d like to find a job for perhaps one day a week in the industry, particularly if I could help the next generation of translators to plough their furrow.

Do you have any Dos or Don’t for new translators?
Stay true to yourself. I was never someone who could cold call customers – it always felt awkward. I found customers by networking, having a curious mind and remembering interesting nuggets they imparted. Take criticism of your work on the chin and remain calm (even if your stomach is telling you otherwise). Mostly, receiving criticism is invaluable. Lastly, be kind – especially on social media. Other people can (and do) notice.

What have you been working on recently?
The launch of a new item of furniture, involving product brochures, press releases and blog posts. Specifications for the outfitting of a large ship and the usual mechanical engineering bread-and-butter stuff. If there were a gold medal for mental gymnastics, I’m pretty sure I’d have won it!

Thank you very much for sharing this with us, Sally. I love how different everybody’s journey seems to be, and I have very much enjoyed getting to know yours.

So, if anyone else would like to participate in MTTM, please let me know. I am looking for established translators who can hopefully offer some pearls of wisdom to newer members of this community, whilst also showcasing their own talents.

Until next week.