Katy Fowler, Freelance Translator
Katy Fowler, Freelance Translator
In this episode, Katy talks to Katherine about how her education in modern European languages and work in the tourism industry eventually led her to work as a freelance translator. Katy worked as a tour guide for 5 summer seasons around Western Europe. The tours lasted anywhere from 8-28 days, and all covered 6-7 countries. Katy shared that working as a tour guide really tested and strengthened her language and interpreting skills. Katy eventually got a Master’s degree in Interpreting and Translation, and then went on to work as a translator for the EU.
Katy discussed how the industry has evolved and become increasingly competitive as more English speaking countries are admitted into the EU. She explains that a translator has many possible choices for translation that can significantly impact what it means to the person reading it - not just a direct and obvious word for word translation but ensuring that the meaning, tone, and voice are accurately conveyed; it requires a nuanced understanding of both the source and target languages.
Now as a freelance translator, Katy translates a variety of things, primarily German to English - including internal business communications for major companies, websites, CVs, cover letters, marketing materials, as well as art and architecture materials for museums & galleries.
Katy Fowler
Katy Fowler is a freelance translator working from German and Italian into English. The texts she translates cover a wide variety of subject areas ranging from telecommunications to art history. She has previously worked as a waitress, a tour guide, an interpreter at the European Union, and a Christmas elf.
She studied at Durham University (BA Hons in Modern European Languages) and the University of Bath (MA in Interpreting and Translation).
Show Notes
Education
University of Durham, 2001
Bachelor's in Modern European Languages
University of Bath, 2008
Master’s in Interpreting and Translation
Career
Events Coordinator, Birdworld (2003-2005)
Independent Tour Director, Cosmos Holiday (2005-2008)
Freelance Conference Interpreter, EU Institutions (2009-2012)
Freelance Translator, (2012-present)
Traveled with Remote Year’s second group, Battuta (2016)
Translator and Interpreter, Translations by Katy (2009-present)
Thank you for listening!
The Modern Work podcast is produced by Conaway Creative. The team behind this episode:
Hosted & directed by Katherine Conaway
Social media by Kelly Becker
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