All About Me!
Talented.
The French and English languages and worlds, their differences and equivalencies, have always been a part of my life. Born in Vancouver, Canada, I grew up in a French-English bilingual household, and attended a French-immersion school in the English-speaking Canadian province of British Columbia. Thus, I am a native English-speaker with French bilingualism. This was only the beginning of what would become a life-long language adventure. My studies took me to top-rated English-speaking McGill University at the heart of Canada's largest French-speaking city, Montreal.
My academic and professional work in urban planning always found me on the writing and translating end of projects, as it was immediately evident that writing was where my talents lie. A move to Switzerland and later France would lead to me teaching English and very quickly translating into it as well. My return to the academy, at the Swiss Institute of Technology, would lead to me translating for academics, as well as becoming one myself.
Professional.
Moving to France coincided with a professionalisation of my translating practice, as I sought to ever improve my translation skills and services. My memebership application is underway with the French Society of Professional Translators, Le syndicat national des traducteurs professionels, and I look forward to soon being a part of the internationally-recognised Chartered Institute of Linguists, as well as the more local association Agir avec Elles en Beaujolais. Being part of a professional community is important for the certification it provides, while assuring clients a professional and quality practice, and ongoing improvements in professional practice.
Translation for academics by an academic, because sharing cutting-edge research in the highest language standards is what I am passionate about.
Academic.
My academic experience includes a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Urban Geography and a Master of Urban Planning from McGill University in Canada, as well as five years of doctoral research in Urban Geography at the Swiss Institute of Technology at Lausanne (EPFL) under the supervision of Jacques Lévy. Added to this is a Master of Translation from French institute Edvenn.
Having been immersed in the academic environment for years, I not only understand scientific terminology, but as an academic myself I am familiar with many authors and recognise the nuances of different debates and rhetorical styles. My continuing doctoral studies mean that I thoroughly understand the demands and expectations made of researchers, with whom I work on a daily basis.