Can you tell us about something typical that happens in your everyday working life?
Every day is different. There is a steady stream of translation projects and no two are the same. We work for many different customers with a wide range of needs. This demands a high level of concentration, precision and a good level of general knowledge. I usually don’t notice how quickly the time is flying by.
Would you like to tell us about something cool or funny that has happened to you during your translation career?
I can’t think of a specific experience, but I enjoy translating marketing texts, slogans, taglines, etc. They require a lot of creativity – you need to be able to play with words and sometimes find double meanings. I find that cool. I really like seeing our translations on posters or websites. This truly brings our work to life and makes it feel more tangible.
Did you do well at school?
Yes. I was top of the class for almost all of my school career.
I always liked school and enjoyed learning new things. For example, my good grades enabled me to take part in a spelling bee at the age of 12. I came third in the Loire region in France. This ability definitely serves me well in my current occupation haha. ;-)
Did you always want to work with languages?
Yes. I always read a lot of books and I thought it would be great to translate them one day. That’s why I decided to study translation. Even though I don’t translate books, I get to translate a range of texts that are just as interesting.
Your mother tongue is French. What does the language mean to you?
French is very important to me. My favourite subjects at school were French and foreign languages. I also studied Latin, which is great for understanding the origin of words and expanding your vocabulary. I enjoy working with language, its nuances, its rhythm...
Languages in general make up a large part of my life. I communicate with my colleagues in Bern in German, translate into French and speak English to my partner. I just hope nothing gets lost in translation!
Have you got a particularly nice-sounding word in French to share with us?
It’s not the most beautiful word in French, but its history is quite funny. The word vasistas – meaning ‘small hinged window’ – actually comes from the German phrase Was ist das? (What is that?), which was probably misunderstood in French. This goes to show how useful translators can be!
I also like tintinnabuler (to jingle a bell) and paréidolie (to perceive familiar patterns, especially faces, in objects), for what they mean and their rhythm.
What’s your favourite German word?
My favourite German word is Wanderlust. I like the idea of going out into nature... and the desire to discover the world on foot. I also like the influence that this concept had on art and literature. The painting Wanderer above the Sea of Fog perfectly represents the feeling that this word conveys to me.
What book is on your bedside table and what’s your favourite thing to listen to on a relaxed Sunday morning?
One of my favourite books is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. It’s a novel filled with themes of adventure, love, betrayal, imprisonment, wealth, thirst for revenge... and death. The film adaptation starring the French actor Pierre Niney is currently in cinemas.
On Sunday mornings, I like to listen to mix tapes by Bon Entendeur, a French DJ duo. There’s something to suit every taste. Each playlist has a different style and focuses on a specific time. I particularly recommend L’original, Summer 2020.
Merci!
You’re welcome.
