“I find it fascinating that an invasion that happened well over a millennium ago left its mark so indelibly on the local dialect. Better still, it has been gloriously un-superseded by that new kid on the block, Received Pronunciation, a legacy of the later Norman invasion which left the north comparatively untouched.”
Read more from Sophie’s Words on the influence of the Vikings on the Geordie dialect.
Marga Burke (Newcastle)
I’m a specialist medical and pharmaceutical translator from French and occasionally Italian into English. The main areas I work in are clinical trials, journal articles and evidence-based guidance. I also provide a subtitling service, and was very excited to be offered my first book translation this year: an academic text about traditional medicine in Madagascar. I previously taught audiovisual translation at Leeds University, but these days I stick closer to home as I will be expecting my first baby this summer! I’m a qualified member of ITI and an alumna of the Professional Support Group. My website (badly in need of updating) can be found at www.margaburke.co.uk.
I have lived in the North East for most of my adult life: first Durham and now Newcastle. In my spare time, I sing soprano in a church choir, and I have recently started learning Farsi.
What I like about Newcastle…
Its versatility. Newcastle has all the amenities of a big city, but the Northumbrian countryside, the seaside and the picturesque city of Durham are all within a 30-minute car or train journey.
My three favourite places:
Durham is one of my favourite places in the North East and I could spend hours walking along the river paths or the cobbled streets, looking at views of the cathedral and castle. I also love the island of Lindisfarne, accessible by causeway at low tide only, off the coast just north of Bamburgh. Finally, in Newcastle itself, the formerly industrial Ouseburn Valley has been regenerated as a cultural hotspot with some marvellous pubs and lots going on.
My favourite Geordie word…
“Clarty”, meaning dirty or filthy, particularly in a sticky or muddy way. As my partner says, it does exactly what it says on the tin!
David Warriner, Canada
You might be wondering what a French-to-English translator based on the West Coast of Canada was doing attending an ITI conference in London. I’ll be the first to admit it was a somewhat unconventional choice, but it certainly made for change of scenery from the annual conferences and AGMs organized by OTTIAQ and STIBC, the professional translators’ associations in Montreal and Vancouver I’m a member of.
Well, I’m a firm believer in thinking outside the box, and by “box” I mean the local translation scene. I grew up and graduated from university in the UK, but I’ve spent my entire working life so far in Canada. Most of my clients and colleagues are in Quebec and British Columbia, and I thought it was high time I tended an olive branch back in my home country to familiarize myself with the translation scene in the UK and make some new connections. The timing worked well for a visit to my family up in Yorkshire, so not only could I broaden my conference horizons outside the country, I could also claim the cost of a plane ticket over to see my folks as a business expense. That certainly helped to seal the deal.
I signed up for the full three days of the 2013 ITI conference, Masterclass Friday and all, and was highly impressed by my experience on all levels. Not only was the content of the workshops at the conference world class, varied, interesting and well delivered, the people I met over the course of the weekend — translators, ITI board members and conference organizers alike — couldn’t have been more welcoming. I’d been a little nervous about walking into a sea of unfamiliar faces at the welcome drinks reception the night before the Masterclass Friday, but by the time we sat down to dinner I felt like I’d already made lots of new friends. Now, a year after the conference, I am still in touch by email and on Twitter with many of the translators I met at the conference.
ITI certainly makes it easy for members of sister associations to attend the conference, and I would make the trip to attend another ITI event like this without a moment’s hesitation. I’d highly recommend the ITI conference, in fact, to other certified translators overseas who are looking to make new connections, broaden their horizons and develop business leads in the UK. Similarly, I’d encourage ITI members seeking a change of scenery (and an excuse to plan an exotic business trip!) to consider registering for a conference overseas in between ITI conferences. Why not step outside your comfort zone and see how you and your business can grow from the experience?
If French and English are your working languages, you might be interested to learn that the Quebec order of translators holds its annual conference in Montreal every November, and other provincial translators’ associations organize conferences throughout the year in different parts of the country. Have no fear: it doesn’t snow all the time here in Canada, we don’t all wear lumberjack shirts and drive pickup trucks with a fresh moose in the back… and the bears out here are much friendlier than you might think.
David Warriner is a certified member of OTTIAQ (Ordre des traducteurs, terminologies et interprètes agrees du Québec) and STIBC (Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia). He runs his own business, W Translation, from his home base on Vancouver Island and travels often to meet clients in person and make new connections. Feel free to connect with David by email at david@wtranslation.ca or find him on Twitter .
Did you know the city will also play host to the Rugby World Cup in September 2015?
Laura Ball, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Hi, I’m Laura, not a born-and-bred Geordie, but I’ve been in Newcastle for nearly five years now, and it’s beginning to feel very much like home. Like a lot of people, I originally moved here to study and have stuck around ever since! After completing a research master’s degree in German, I worked in various language-related roles before setting up as a self-employed, freelance translator and language trainer. I work from German into English (and teach German and English), and most of my work involves business and financial texts, although I also have some music clients and vary my workload with some transcription work for a news agency. I joined the ITI as an associate in 2011 and the CIoL as a member in 2012. I am hoping to sit the MITI exam in June this year.
What I like about Newcastle…
One of the reasons I stayed here was the opportunity that Newcastle offers for getting involved in local arts - music, drama, art installations, folk music and much more. The city’s regeneration has seen a lot of the old industrial spaces being turned into creative spaces for artists of all types. This generates a lively feel to the city, and there is always something going on. An example of this is given in the free Crack magazine, which details listings of all the events happening each month. It’s well worth checking out the online version if you’re ever heading up to Newcastle: http://www.thecrackmagazine.com.
My three favourite places:
There are so many to choose from, but one of them must surely be the Quayside. There is no better way to spend a Sunday morning than strolling along the quayside, enjoying both the market and the genuine German Bratwürste that are sold there! The Millennium Bridge is a favourite sight, and I enjoy crossing it to have a look round the latest exhibition in the (free) Baltic art gallery.
Another favourite locale is Bar Loco, on Leazes Park road (http://www.barloconewcastle.com). It features a Bohemian mix of art deco furnishings, some European beers on tap and an eclectic, artsy crowd to pass the time with. There’s a cafe/bar area downstairs, a large lounge area upstairs and even an art gallery on the third floor that exhibits works by local artists. Not to mention the incredible Italian food - did I say that the place is still owned by the Italian family that originally opened it? It’s generally just a great place to hang out in, as there will always be a couple of interesting people to talk to, but it doesn’t get overcrowded with drunken idiots who might spoil the atmosphere.
A third place I like is the Holy Jesus Hospital on City Road in the town centre. I volunteered there giving guided tours before it was largely shut to the public (some visits possible by appointment). The 100-year-old facade looks a little incongruous amid all the modern buildings, but inside it is full of unlikely history. Originally an Augustinian friary, it became essentially a retirement home for freemen in the seventeenth century and then an industrial-sized soup kitchen was added to it in the Victorian era. It’s just one of the hidden historical treasures that Newcastle - unexpectedly - has to offer.
My favourite Geordie word…
… is “hoy” as in “Hoy it here, will you?”, which means “throw”, like throwing something across the room.
Alison Hughes (Glasgow, UK)
The place is Gatwick, the month is May
The Hilton Hotel is where we’ll stay
The Hilton? What’s the reason why?
It’s this year’s conference of the ITI
Masterclasses a choice of four
Technology, money, could you ask for more?
Working the room is the other choice
Helping translators to find their voice
Drinks and dinner round off the first day
Before the conference gets underway
Soap and drugs, workflow and planes
CPD, export, social media and games
A yoga session to help us unwind
Stretch our limbs and empty our mind
Professional photos taken on site
A chance to get our image just right
Line dancing, whose idea was that?
Yes please I’ll have a sparkly hat
As Sunday dawns there’s lots in store
Quality, patents, contracts and more
Keynote speakers entertain and inspire
Figureheads we all admire
A final break with cakes and tea
Then singing translators with “Stand by me”
At the summary session we take a seat
And soon realise we’re in for a treat
A conference video has been prepared
And we’re the first to see it aired
Next it’s feedback, all positive of course
All in one voice, if a little hoarse
We ate and drank and had some fun
And learnt to look after number one
With knowledge gained at every session
We’ve pulled together as a profession
Hailed a success by all attending
For the conference committee a happy ending
Nathalie Reis (London, UK)
When I signed up to ITI Conference 2013, I really did not know what to expect as it was my first ITI Conference. I knew I would meet colleagues, attend workshops, boost my CPD and hopefully do a bit networking (my new business cards were ready!), but ITI Conference 2013 was much more than that. It offered a structured and comprehensive program of events, presentations delivered by experienced and competent translators, interpreters and industry experts who shared their knowledge, their enthusiasm and their passion for their job. I particularly enjoyed Isabel Hurtado de Mendoza’s workshop on sharing ideas to achieve the perfect translation workflow and found Anne Diamantidis and Jost Zetzsche’s presentations on the power of social media and technology both inspiring and informative. What else? Did I mention the warm atmosphere, the beautiful food and the varied fringe activities offered by its hard-working organisers? Did I know I was going to attend a CV clinic, stretch and relax during a yoga session, improve my online image and try line-dancing? So much happened in two days. My only regret: not attending Masterclass Friday.
ITI Conference 2013 definitely delivered on its promise to offer a platform for professional development. I came away from the conference full of ideas which I have since applied to my business, whether to improve my translation skills or my approach to technology and marketing.
Was it worth it? DEFINITELY. What next? ITI Conference 2015, of course!
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