I love languages and translation is a form of art which involves a deeper knowledge of languages and understanding of the different cultures involved. Being completely bilingual in Afrikaans and English I know and understand both languages and cultures very well. I also have a lot of in-depth knowledge of the German language and culture: my interest in German started in high school - I had it as a subject. Not only were we encouraged to learn the language but also to learn the culture and to experience it. I have had the opportunity to visit Berlin on holiday and it was an awesome experience, I'll definitely explore more of Germany. My Bachelor's degree in Languages and Literature (with specialisation in cultures for international tourism) was an extremely interesting course. German was my major subject and it comprised grammar and literature modules. Some of the other subjects were: History (South African), Geography, Linguistics, Principles of Interpreting, Theoretical and Applied Ethics, Ecotourism, African Languages, English and Communication.

My BA Hons Linguistics (translation studies) degree was a very comprehensive course, and my language combination for the duration of the course was from German into English. The curriculum was as follows:

Paper 1: Translation method and function - a functional approach to translation
- equivalence at word level
- equivalence above word level
- equivalence at text level, practical translation as intercultural activity, practical translation of various text types: journalistic texts, tourist brochures, public information brochures, editorials, internet web pages.

Paper 2: Translation for specific purposes - introduction to specialised translation
- terminology skills for translators
- translators and lexicography
- introduction to corpus translation studies, practical translation of medical and pharmaceutical texts; scientific and technical texts and information technology texts.

Paper 3: Perspectives on translation: modern theoretical models of translation were covered.

Practical translation of a variety of financial and technical texts.

Paper 4: Translation research and professional practice           

 - literary translation
- professional translation management
- sworn translation  (please note that I am not a sworn translator, even though the work was about sworn translation and involved practical translation of legal documents) - reformulation for a different readership
- language editing
- professional ethics
- research skills in translation
- professional translation practice.  The non-venue-linked portfolio exam was a project simulating a typical freelance translation situation.

After the completion of my studies, I have participated in research.

Projects that I have completed include the translation of activity books relating to emotional intelligence, translation for an accommodation establishment website, translating and editing for Gospel Translations, editing of a thesis and the translation of an optics website. Translation of general medical texts, pharmaceutical package inserts, editing of two shampoo advertisements. Further I have also translated surveys as well as Google Adwords including keyword research and more.

I also have a National Diploma in Travel and Tourism and I have 15 years experience as an entrepreneur in the industry.

Some of my recent projects include a fiction book translation, translation of a recipe book, employee survey translation and editing, translation of a travel book as well as editing of another travel book, translation, editing and proofreading of medical reports, health surveys and general medical texts as well as technical translation and editing.

I am also very interested in translating any travel related texts.

I really enjoy translation, editing and proofreading and I have a passion for it.