Experts in the Industry: Suzanne Kirkbright, German to English freelance translator

Suzanne Kirkbright is a full-time German to English freelance translator, specialising in the general arts, media and publishing. Prior to becoming a translator, she worked for over ten years as a German lecturer and was awarded an Alexander von Humboldt scholarship to research an English biography of a 20th century German intellectual. Suzanne has translated a series of nature guides for natural history publisher A&C Black in London and was a participant in the ITI’s online training course, the PSG, in 2007. On Saturday 16th May, she will be part of a panel discussion on contingency planning.

Check out the rest of the ITI Conference programme here.

1. In two sentences, please describe what you’ll be talking about at the conference, and what translation and interpreting (T&I) professionals will gain from hearing it.

My slot ‘Back to the Drawing Board’ in the panel discussion on ‘Contingency Planning’ is based on the pros and contras of client liaison and
building on existing business strengths (realizing one’s so-called USP). In a nutshell, I emphasize the value of developing effective communication – on all levels.

2. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing to make your workplace more sustainable, what would you do?

I would install all those software programmes out there that make the tedious tasks faster and easier … but is that ‘sustainable’ given the extra electricity I am consuming?

3. Which business leader, politician or public figure do you most respect?

Historian, David Starkey – what an impressive array of answers he recently provided on BBC’s ‘Question Time’.

4. To what degree do you feel involved in and supported by your professional community, and why?

I  am really impressed with the friendly and open networking opportunities of all colleagues in the ITI – which reminds me, I must renew membership to the regional groups.

5. Freeform – here’s where you are free to riff on anyone or anything, good or bad, or just share a pearl of wisdom.

The translation profession attracts many highly qualified, interesting and inquisitive individuals. Against this backdrop, it is always amazing that some clients believe a good translation can be acquired for ‘old rope’. Yet, when returning with the question ‘can you just fix this mess – quickly?’ – it appears they never learn that good quality also merits a fair reward.

Thank you very much, Suzanne.

This is the tenth in a series of short interviews run in the lead-up to the ITI International Conference on 16th – 17th May.