The latest: Spirits!: Revising whisk(e)y education materials

Whisky expert Hans Strenge works with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, and together, they are updating and expanding materials for ongoing training for spirits professionals. Think vignette-like chapters that delve into the gritty details, placing fascinating chemistry in its historical context. 

Hans, a native speaker of German, graciously asked me to give the texts a once-over as he revised and extended his English prose. Fulfilling his request was both an honor and priveleged follow-up, since I had just completed the WSET Level 2 in Spirits. The English-language stories and explanations received a spit-shine polish and I can only recommend the whisky course to anyone out there who is interested!

Check out the Edinburgh Whisky Academy's pre-edited text here on their website. Make sure to sign up  for their whisky course to read all the revised and extended materials.





Case study #1: English-language website for Bodegas Tierra Savia

Bodegas Tierra Savia needed to meet two main goals: inform and sell. Their non-Spanish speaking audience needed to know who Tierra Savia is and what the winery offers, and that message had to come across both clearly and in an attractive way to boost sales. 

The translation adapted the Spanish-language text (originally designed for domestic tourism) in subtle ways to help non-local visitors get a grasp of the unique project and yet maintain Tierra Savia's own voice. With just enough tech speak to inform but not overwhelm, and a smidge of bridge-building between the way English- and Spanish-speaking cultures approach wine, we communicated Tierra Savia's earthy wisdom.

Click on this link to check out the translation in situ.




Case study #2: English-language version of a pressbook for Producciones Anafilaxis
To present their film on their international market, Producciones Anafilaxis needed to explain the complex philosophy behind their experimental creation.

The stimulating challenge presented to me was manifold:
  • Check that the English accurately conveyed numerous references to other films as well as philosophers
  • Maintain the filmmakers' unique style
  • Set the ideas into precise turns of phrase to connect with their professional audience. 
I would like to say mission accomplished. Check out Anafilaxis' comments in my References and zoom in on the text itself; you be the judge.




Case study #3: Subtitles for recorded webinars for föra forest technologies
föra brought together forestry management professionals in webinars, and now they wanted to expand access to their conversations about changes in their industry.

Like in every profession, environmental experts  use very specific language to talk about their precise science. The subtitling team I led worked together to weave the right technical terms into natural speech. That's how you accurately convey not only what was said, but the tone and cultural references, jokes and all.

Watch a webinar with the English captions on YouTube.




Literary Translations
Job, Man of Sorrows, by Samuel de Roa

Samuel de Roa had already created an English-language version of a book he had first written in Spanish. That's when he approached me: could I check the language?

Job, Man of Sorrows was a fascinating journey. Along the way, I polished the English text he had drafted in order to more effectively reach its target audience. The delicate nature of Biblical translation - including citing diverse interpretations - made for careful, reflective edits.

Text partially available for free here.





The Other Side of Reality, by Luisa Grajalva

Author Luisa Grajalva found me through a professional translation association for a literary commission. She wanted me to translate her own collection of short stories.

Ranging from single-page to well-developed vignettes, each story encapsulated a unique world. That is, no two short-story worlds were alike. Often, beautiful Spanish wordplay crafted her worlds, and that fact posed a motivating challenge. The translation had to recreate her artful wording in addition to telling equally evocative stories.

Request your copy of English version from Serie Gong Editorial.