"A different language is a different vision of life"

– Federico Fellini

Bilingual roots in Germany

Born in the UK in 1970, moving to southwestern Germany at the age of five, I grew up in a British household, actively retaining and developing my English whilst speaking exclusively German amongst friends and at school/work. This bilingual upbringing seeded my strong curiosity and love of languages lasting to this day. From 1988, I trained and qualified as hotel professional (Hotelfachfrau) with German luxury hotel chain Steigenberger Hotels AG.

Exciting years in the Hague

Itchy feet brought on my relocation to the Netherlands / the Hague in 1992, where I enjoyed 11 years of immersion in the Dutch language and culture, managing intercultural, multilingual departments of a well-known luxury hotel. In years of liaising with high-profile clients and colleagues I used my languages on a daily basis, both written and spoken, besides being the “go to” native English and German speaker for translations and proofreading of both internal and external communications. During my time in the Netherlands, my command of Dutch grew to native speaker level.

Immersed in Lisbon

A 2003 move to Lisbon with my Dutch husband Remco brought the opportunity to learn Portuguese, and I seized it gladly, spending two semesters on a University of Lisbon Portuguese language course. I went on to work in events, again using my languages to their fullest, this time in a Portuguese-speaking environment.

Now Based in Bristol

Two years later, Remco and I relocated again, this time to Bristol, UK, where we founded our design agency Pixillion. As co-director of the agency, besides being responsible for business services and finance, I have supplied website and content translations for Dutch and German clients in the greeting cards industry, finance, education and architecture. I have now been based in Bristol for the last 13 years, speaking Dutch at home.

I keep my languages fluent and fresh with frequent trips to friends and family in Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal. My knowledge of current affairs and culture is constantly updated with plenty of reading in all languages (e.g. der Spiegel, Público, de Volkskrant).

(Mature) student years

My enjoyment of the translation processes I came across in various work environments inspired me to retrain as translator. An enthusiastic life-long learner, I recently completed a BA German and Portuguese with First Class Honours at the University of Bristol, with emphasis on translation studies and language technology, both in theory and practice. In my spare moments I pursue interests such as running my weekly German Club for young enthusiasts, Portuguese book club, Hiking, Yoga and reading up on language history.