Qualified – Specialist – Professional – Experienced
A full-time freelance translator from French and German into British English, I work for a range of clients across Europe, specialising in architecture and construction and the law.
I also provide a certified translation service.
I am a mother-tongue English speaker educated in the United Kingdom. I have also spent over 25 years living and working in French- and German-speaking countries. This has given me a first-hand understanding of the social, cultural and political factors that shape language: a vital resource for any translator.
Qualified
Following a first degree in Modern Languages (1984), in 2010 I obtained an MA in Legal Translation from City University, London, graduating with distinction.
Keeping both my language skills and my subject-matter expertise relevant and up-to-date is one of my priorities and I am committed to an active programme of continuous professional development that covers all aspects of my work.
Specialist
Specialisation is key to good translation. General texts aside, I work exclusively in my chosen fields and keep abreast of developments in architecture and the arts and the law through reading, research and attendance at conferences and other events.
Recent events attended include:
- February 2025 – Architectural site visits to FOUR Frankfurt, Omniturm and Ernst-May-Haus, Frankfurt-am-Main
- February 2025 – RIBA Europe Chapter Event, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany – attendee
- October 2024 – METM24 Crossroads: Coming Together, Crafting the Future, Carcassonne, France – speaker
- January 2025 – UK Architecture Showcase, Paris – attendee
- March 2024 – Architectural site visits to the UNESCO HQ building, Paris and the Fondation Cartier, Paris
- February 2024 – RIBA Europe Programme Launch, Morland Mixité Capital, Paris – attendee
- November 2024 – Translating Europe Forum, European Commission, Brussels – panel member
- October 2023 – METM23 (Mediterranean Editors and Translators Meeting) The Underlying Story, Mantua, Italy – attendee
- January 2023 – Words to Deeds Conference 2023 on Legal Translation and Risk – attendee
Professional
I am a qualified member of both the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), the UK’s foremost bodies supporting the language professions.
I am also a member of Mediterranean Editors and Translators and an International Affiliate Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
As a Chartered Linguist (Translation), I seek to promote and maintain high professional and ethical standards both personally and throughout the language profession. You can check my Chartered status here.
In addition to my translation work, I have taught English as a Foreign Language and until recently delivered an annual short course of seminars on professional practice and legal translation to students on the European Masters in Translation (M1/M2) course at CeTIM, University of Toulouse, France.
Experienced
Over 30 years in the translation industry I have evolved a range of strategies for dealing with the pressures of working independently to produce high-quality translations. These include:
- building close relationships with key clients,
- maintaining a network of professional contacts,
- working in partnership with French- and German-speaking colleagues,
- a genuine commitment to CPD.
For a quote or further information, contact translation@terriwhitetranslations.com.