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 are what make Language Department unrivaled in language services.
Meet Hugo in Barcelona, Spain…
What is your native language, and which are you fluent in?
My native language is English and I’m currently living in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. For translation work and experience, I translate Catalan, Spanish, and French into English with an emphasis on sports (especially football and tennis), tourism, medicine, and marketing.
When and why did you become interested in translation?
I have been fascinated by all languages since I was just a kid. However, it wasn’t until I was in University, where I studied Modern and Medieval Languages in-depth, that I discovered a true passion for translation. I find it a highly rewarding activity, and I fancy that the attributes required to be a good translator (obsessive attention to detail, cultural sensitivity, and a way with words) come naturally to me.
What is your favorite part about being a translator?
Although there are so many elements, I love the fact that it gives you the perfect excuse to learn about a wide variety of fields that you might never read about otherwise. Projects can vary so much that there’s always something new to learn. Of course, that’s a danger too – wiki-holes are an occupational hazard!
What are the most important phrases to learn first in a new language?
It has to be about the food, an everyday need that can easily go so wrong. In my case, ‘I’m vegetarian’ probably tops the list of the bare necessities.
What is your favorite word in another language?
‘Capicua’, this is a word that was originally formed in Catalonia but also sometimes used in Spanish.
Literally translated as ‘head and tail’ it means ‘palindrome’. Palindromes are words or phrases that can be read the same backward as they are forwards, such as madam or nurses run. I find it a very fitting, poetic and a mellifluous term.
What language would you love to learn next and why?
Either German, because it is the language of some of my ancestors, or Russian so I can read Dostoyevsky, Chekhov, and co. in their original tongue.
Where are your best tips for traveling internationally?
Again, it has to be related to food!
Never turn down food offered by a local! It’s one of the best local experiences you can find when traveling. You really get the taste of the culture, and new recipes can be combined into your own.
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