Outside the Office 

You may think my interests old-fashioned. Perhaps they are a little. I was partly brought up by septuagenarians and octogenarians, so it is inevitable. One or two were born at the end of the 19th century and, as a child, I was tickled to discover that my grandfather was born in 1899! 

I speak five languages (including English, but excluding “dog speak”), grew up between two cultures and have lived and worked in Greece, Spain and the UK. Guided by a strong faith, I believe in community, the value of good personal relationships and the inherent worth of every individual.

A lover of music and dance, I also enjoy films and stories with an uplifting moral message. In my twenties I planned to be a theatre director and signed up for a PhD  in Spanish Golden Age Theatre. Sadly, I had to move abroad so the PhD never happened, but the move had its compensations: five years translating behind the scenes at international festivals in Athens and Spain, while acting as production coordinator and, occasionally, road manager.

These days, when I am not at my computer, you will most likely find me at my sewing machine, making lampshades, or with a piece of mending or knitting in my hands. 

When not at home, I head for the sea. Nothing blows my cobwebs away like sea air. I grew up in the Mediterranean after all, spending at least two months a year on Greek islands. Those were the days…

Family Life

I now live in a traditional corner of rural England with my husband and two Old English Sheepdogs. Key fact: Rural England helps keep my English UK native and reduces my risk of contracting the common translator ailment of “hypnosis by source text”. This is crucial for your work. I read or speak Spanish or Greek most days. It would be easy to let my day-to-day English slip away. 

My Maths-teacher husband keeps me sane and, when numbers crop up in my work, he checks them, respecting confidentiality, of course. He also proofreads some of my words: he only speaks English, so cannot be “hypnotised by the source text”.  Fun fact: he calls Maths “sums”. 

Our four-footed friends sometimes feature in blog posts because they put a smile on our faces every day. I hope they put a smile on yours.  Not-so-fun fact: the younger one has had both her hips replaced so no longer runs as fast. Neither of them do. The photo on the right was taken when they were very young.

Balancing Old and New

Some of the things I treasure, such as sewing, knitting and gardening, are fashionable again during these ecological times. I learnt that from running a sewing school and attending over 10 years of sewing and dressmaking classes. Fun Facts: I make many of my own clothes and we grow as much fruit and veg as our little garden will allow.

Yet, I see life as being about balance and constant development, a blend of old and new. I would not part with my robot vacuum cleaner, my tablet and my computerised top-end sewing machine for anything.

In the last couple of years, I have thrived while globe-trotting virtually, attending as many ageing and translation events and courses as my timetable will allow. I amuse my non-linguist husband by “jetting over” as far as Chile, Venezuela or Mexico for an hour, or even a day at times. Over Zoom or Skype of course. It would never have been possible without technology so, while I love traditional skills and values, I am definitely a convert to technology’s benefits.

I am looking forward to plenty more chore-saving tech, while still trying to become increasingly active and healthy as I age.