Translations

Since 1997 I work as a free-lance translator from English to Czech and Czech to English. Like most translators, I prefer to focus on subjects close to my heart. Although I can easily translate a legal document or fiction, my skills are best used in other areas, such as:

Web Content and Internet Related Subjects

Being a web developer myself, I can perfectly relate to the type of texts required on the web. I’m familiar with both technical terminology and the necessary user-friendly language. I’m also used to writing or translating texts with a simplified language to serve an international audience which may include non-native English speakers. Additionally, these skills may be used in translations of texts about the Internet, web design or search engine optimization aimed for professionals in these fields or the general public.

Major web content translation projects:

• RedBox - developing and translating the customer service section of a major Czech portal
• Bohemia Flowers - developing and translating the customer service section for a flower delivery company

Marketing and Advertising

Texts for marketing and advertising purposes require a heavy dose of creativity. While there is the need to accurately convey information about the products, punctual translations are meaningless, because they lose the impact. The message must be equally funny, inviting or shocking in both languages. When translating such texts from Czech to English, consulting a native speaker is a must. I also enjoy translating texts about marketing or advertising.

Major marketing & advertising translation projects:

• Bohemia Flowers - writing and translating the e-mail campaigns for a flower delivery company
• Fabrika, advertising agency – translating a major portion of a book about advertising, then used to teach staff new concepts

Self-help, Spirituality, Natural Medicine, Creativity

When I look at my own reading list, most books I read (either in Czech or English) relate to spiritual growth, health, alternative medicine, yoga, Eastern philosophies, mystery etc. I’m very familiar with the specific language such books use.

Major self-help, spirituality, natural medicine translation projects:

• Volunteer co-translation (with Marie Brozova) of Julia Cameron’s book Artist’s Way, not published
• Selected materials for philosophy students, regarding the spirituality of South American tribes
• Feature documentary film about UFO – including transcribing the original from tape to screenplay format, then translation to Czech and consulting during dubbing

Dog Training, Pets

As a co-founder of Helping Paws, I have a broad understanding all subjects relating to dogs and their training, as well as a network of trainers, vets and dog-handlers to consult on specific terminology. With my husband having years of experience with horses and as an owner of both dog and a cat, I think I could handle most general texts regarding pets or pet care.

Major dog training and pet translation projects:

• Helping Paws - Extensive selection of training manuals and other materials for Helping Paws, regarding the training of assistance dogs and dog therapy
• Kathy Diamond, Therapy Dogs, a book - overseeing a team of volunteer translators, editing (in process)

Flowers, Plants and Gardening

Due to my interest in flowers, I’m starting to turn into an amateur botanist. I’m currently working on a wide selection of plant descriptions for my own Flower Scan website. This could be used for translation of “how to” gardening books, seed and flower catalogs or other nature related texts. Again, I can use the expertise of my husband, a landscape architect.

Major flower, plant and gardening translation projects:

• Bohemia Flowers - cut flower product descriptions and plant care for a flower delivery company

Food, Drink, Cooking, Baking, Restaurants

Besides being an avid cook, having well researched international cuisines, exotic spices and various ingredients, I’m also familiar with the language used in the restaurant industry. Before embarking my own free-lance career, I worked for a company which started franchise restaurants in Prague.

Major food, drink, cooking, baking, restaurants translation projects:

• Planet Hollywood, Prague – menus
• T.G.I. Friday’s, Prague – restaurant manuals, staff training manuals

This is not a complete list and you can certainly contact me with any project you have in mind. If I can't take it on at the moment, I have several friends who specialize in different fields.