We’re highlighting the amazing ongoing efforts and experience of our language experts, as well as an inside look as to how much we value our translators and interpreters! The knowledge, loyalty and attention to detail that our community embodies is what makes Language Department unrivaled in language services.
Meet Melinda in Lyon, France…
What is your native language, and which are you fluent in?
I grew up in France, and so French is my native language. Beyond this I speak English and Spanish fluently.
When and why did you become interested in translation?
I had the opportunity to live in Venezuela as a teenager, that’s where my passion for languages started. After that experience, I couldn’t choose to study anything but languages. And the translation path became obvious after my 5 years of university.
What is your favorite part about being a translator?
Speaking different languages on a daily basis and opening to new horizons.
What are the most important phrases to learn first in a new language?
“My name is ‘X'”
“I am ‘X nationality'”
“Nice to meet you!”
“Can I have a coffee/beer/glass of water, please?”
“Where is the bathroom?”
What is your favorite word in another language?
I don’t have one favorite color, singer, food or word. But there are words I like, such as “escalofrio” in Spanish, because I like the music of the word and I find it very visual as well.
What language would you love to learn next and why?
I am already intermediate in Italian and soon I will move to Italy so I can’t wait to speak Italian fluently!
I am also learning the French Sign Language and I really love it. It’s a completely different world, far more expressive and I like the idea of expressing things with the body as well.
Where do you recommend visiting in your hometown or city?
Well, you cannot come to Lyon without visiting Notre-Dame de Fourvière, basilica overlooking the city, then the Saint Jean area, oldest part of the town, the Croix Rousse neighborhood, the Confluence Museum…
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