Twitter for business: how translators and interpreters use Twitter. It seems strange to reblog something about Twitter on WordPress, but Gala Gil Amat's recent survey is intended to be shared across platforms...
A twittery bunch
Watching in delight
Guest post: 3 mistakes in 3 important areas that may be costing you business -. I am watching in delight as yet another young, motivated translator ups the game for the rest of us. Kasia Pranke certainly seems to be making the most of some of the best advice around. This is wonderful to see.... Continue Reading →
Learning new things
... we are standing on the cusp of a fresh new mentality which we have to embrace - whatever our age - in order to maximise the benefit we derive from the diverse activities which fall under the aegis of freelance translation.
Figuratively
Sketches in ink - 51-52 My landlady gave us these objects of her work and creativity. They are lightly roasted dried figs and almonds. It seemed a pity to cut them up and eat them, but we did. We know what they taste like, you see. I make a mental note to factor in time;... Continue Reading →
Breathing space
Sketches in ink - 44-50 For me, being a freelance translator means I know what the date is, and certainly what the time is, but I often forget what day it is. It made so much more sense to me to enjoy a relaxed lunch with João on this day called Thursday than it did... Continue Reading →
Metatext
Sketches in ink - 42 I learned a new word today. This is not unusual for a translator. This is not unusual for anyone who reads, for that matter. The word, as arbitrary as any other, looks harmless on the face of it: metanoia (from the Greek μετάνοια deary, in case your education in this... Continue Reading →
Live things
How utterly absorbing it was to delve into the web and the weft of the words woven by another.
Old things
Sketches in ink - 39 My sheepskin slippers are an essential part of my translation toolkit. Occasionally, they wear out. Invariably, I take months to replace them, despite a gaping hole in the toe of one, and the resultant lack of warmth. I suppose I should be embarrassed, but I am not. I was, however,... Continue Reading →
Making my own
Sketches in ink - 36 After six years of practice, I am no stranger to hacking through an overgrowth of weeds during winter in the Algarve. In fact, doing just that was an integral part of my embarking upon the journey of learning the Portuguese language; a kind of grassroots approach, if you like. Our... Continue Reading →
Brainstorming solo
Sketches in ink - 14–33 Most of what I have written in the nineteen days since my last blog has been handwritten in flashes of inspiration with an urgent intensity to capture the thought before it skitters off again and gets lost in some pressing domestic chore or other. I spent almost a month enjoying... Continue Reading →
That elusive pair of jeans 