Can you tell us about something funny or unexpected you’ve come across while translating?
I started out in the world of translation just as the first machine translation tools were popping up. And the machine-generated translations gave me plenty to laugh about at the time. Who would have thought that the technology producing those hilarious translations would become such an important resource in our work one day? The quality has improved enormously. Having said that, the machine output still makes me laugh out loud from time to time – much to my delight (grins).
Have you always had a feel for languages or is it a skill you’ve developed over time?
Languages have always been a big part of my life. My mother is French and I was raised bilingually, with Italian as the language I used most and the language I was taught in at school. But I spent a lot of time in France and that made me realise at a young age that another language can unlock different cultures and open up new perspectives. I was always curious about the world outside of my own little bubble – and languages were the tool I used to learn and explore. That might be why I’ve always struggled to learn languages by studying books. I have to be immersed in a language to truly get a feel for it and absorb it properly.
Your native language is Italian. What does this language mean to you personally?
To be honest, I feel like my true self in Italian. It’s the language in which I can express myself best and think most clearly.
Can you give us an example of an Italian word that you think sounds nice or that has a special meaning for you?
There are so many Italian words that I think are beautiful because of their meaning and their musicality. But what I love most about the Italian language is the reliance on non-verbal communication.
And what’s your favourite German word?
My favourite German words are Sehnsucht and Fernweh. There isn’t a direct translation for either of them in Italian. That’s enough to fill me with joy as a translator! But it also fascinates me that both words capture the idea of longing to explore so succinctly. They speak to me because I have that longing inside me.
What do you do to relax after a long day at work? Do you have any hobbies that help you clear your head?
I have an inquisitive mind and I don’t like sitting around doing nothing. So you’ll often hear me complaining that there aren’t enough hours in the day because I’m interested in so many different things. I enjoy reading, swimming and crafting in my spare time. My favourite craft activity is scrapbooking. Obviously, I love spending time with my family too. It always amazes me how they can make me switch off from work almost instantly.
That sounds perfect! One last question for you... What is scrapbooking?
(Laughs) Scrapbooking is all about sticking bits and pieces in an album or book as a way of recording special moments and memories. You can collect photos, tickets, notes and all sorts of other little mementos. One option could be to get creative and play around with the photo album format. I absolutely love having the freedom to bring together different styles and materials all in one scrapbook. You can let your imagination run wild and create something unique to you.
Grazie!
