Snapdragon Translations
Professional, creative translations
from Dutch, French and German into English
WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY, THE WAY YOU WANT TO SAY IT
You know that the quality of your texts is just as important as the quality of your products themselves.
A good translation is more than just an accurate translation: every text has its own style, purpose and context, and you need those to come across in the translation too.
Online tools and AI will give you something reasonably comprehensible, if a bit odd-sounding or, at best, bland. But you know that if you want your texts to sparkle, if you really want the words to jump off the page, you need a human touch. Somebody who understands what you want to say and can help you figure out the best way to say it.
Of course you expect high-quality translations, delivered on time. And you appreciate a reliable, personal service as well!
As a freelance translator living in the heart of Europe, I translate from Dutch, French and German into English, my own native language. Working with a small network of freelance colleagues I know well, I can also provide other language combinations on request. I also offer editing, proofreading and revision services, as well as localisation for British English, so you can rest assured that your texts sound genuine, fluent and human.
Want to find out more about my translation specialisations? Or why not contact me directly to find out how I can make your translation or revision project shine?
WHAT I DO
From contemporary dance to fire-retardant chipboard, sustainability reports to designer lighting, historically informed performance practice to the health benefits of watercress: one of the joys of my work is in the wildly eclectic mix of texts that turn up in my mailbox.
Maybe you've just redesigned your website and you want it to be available in English too. Or you've written an academic paper in English and you'd like a native speaker to read it through and make it sound more fluent. Perhaps you need an English version of your employment contracts... or catchy slogans for your advertising campaign.
I specialise in creative, lively translations and revisions that really bring your texts to life. Contact me to talk about your ideas.
In the meantime, here are some types of text I have gained particular experience in over the years, or just really enjoy translating:
TRANSLATIONS FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURAL SECTOR
After several years working in the cultural sector, translating for the arts feels like coming home. I can help with:
Programmes and brochures for your festival, exhibition or concert season
Artists' biographies
Website texts
Subsidy applications
Academic texts and essays
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSLATIONS
Because our environment is the most important thing there is.
It's that simple.
One way in which I'm trying to work towards a more viable, sustainable future for our planet and the species who live here is by focusing on translations for ecologically-minded organisations.
So whether you work for a protest group, grassroots environmental organisation or a genuinely sustainable business, I'd be delighted to hear from you!
BUSINESS
TRANSLATIONS
I have wide-ranging experience with all kinds of translation projects for businesses:
Communication and promotion (brochures, websites, catalogues, press releases, event announcements, blog posts, newsletters)
Financial, administrative and legal (annual reports, correspondence, terms and conditions of sale, contracts)
Product information, health and safety reports, user manuals, etc.
ABOUT ME
I grew up in Britain and moved to Ghent, in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, in 2000, where I have lived ever since with my Dutch-speaking partner, dog and cats.
Before starting Snapdragon Translations in 2014, I worked as an English language teacher and an organiser/administrator in the cultural sector as well as translating. I have also worked as an in-house translator for a group of companies specialising in VAT services (IT solutions and consultancy).
In my free time, I enjoy volunteering for a local food forest, and I'm currently also working on a project to turn part of a neglected local park into a welcoming green space for the neighbourhood.
QUALIFICATIONS
2014 - IoLET Level 7 Diploma in Translation
Dutch to English, with distinction in business and science
Entry requirement for admission to the British Charted Institute of Linguists
2004 - GGS Literatuurwetenschap (Master in Literature Studies)
KU Leuven, Belgium
1999 - Bachelor of Arts in French and German
First Class Dual Hons., University of Sheffield, England
1999 - Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal