In the age of AI and instant translations, this may sound a little old-fashioned.
But the human side of my work is still what I love most.
When I translate a website, I don’t just look at the words on the screen. I want to know who is going to read them. Who are they talking to? What do they want to say? And, most importantly, what do they want their readers to feel or do?
Personal documents are even more revealing.
Behind a birth certificate, a diploma, a marriage certificate or a power of attorney, there is usually a story. Someone is getting married, starting a new life, studying abroad, taking up a new job or moving to another country.
And when I interpret for people dealing with visa matters at the Foreigners’ Police, I sometimes hear the story behind the paperwork, not just of one person, but of an entire family.
That is what makes languages so fascinating to me.
I studied English and Czech at Palacký University in Olomouc. I went on to teach English, run my own language school, work as a translator and interpreter, and eventually set up my own translation agency.
I have been surrounded by languages for most of my professional life. I use English every day.
And yet, I still keep learning.
Because language is not mathematics.
Language is alive.
It shifts with people, places, generations, cultures and circumstances. A word that works perfectly in one situation can sound completely wrong in another.
A good translator needs to understand not only what the words say, but why they are being said.
So here is my favourite piece of advice for anyone ordering a translation:
Don’t just send your translator a document and say:
“Here’s the text. Please translate it.”
Tell them what you need it for. It may seem like a small detail, but it can make a surprisingly big difference.
The more we understand about your purpose, the better we can choose the right words, the right tone and sometimes even the right solution.
And yes, I may also tell you that you don’t actually need the most expensive option you had in mind.
You tell me where you want to get to.
I’ll help you find the right words to get there.
In any language.
And when you simply need something translated quickly, clearly and without unnecessary fuss, there is our Translation Light service.
Because a good translation should respect more than just the language.
It should respect your time, your needs and your budget.
Are you looking for a reliable certified translator, interpreter or tutor of English or Czech? Contact me. My team of highly skilled translators can assist you in 27 languages.
