As an international development sector specialist, I work with NGOs, international organisations and institutions to communicate their vital work across languages and cultures. Specifically, I translate their written materials from French, Spanish and Portuguese into English. My carefully researched and written translations ensure that none of their important messaging falls flat.
Specialising in the international development sector was an intentional choice, shaped by my academic training, in-house experience, and deep commitment to working with clients that are making a positive global impact.
If you're wondering whether I'm the right partner to translate your grant applications, evaluation reports or white papers into English, or you're curious about how I became a specialist in this field, here's my story.
To paraphrase that Talking Heads song, ‘How did I get here?’
An intentional path towards expertise in international development
I’m immensely grateful to have discovered translation as a career. My path towards becoming a translator for charities, NGOs and non-profits was an intentional one. It all started with A-levels in French and Spanish back in the 1990s. When it was time to choose my A-levels, those two languages seemed a natural choice that suited my interests and strengths. It wasn’t only about being multilingual – I was starting to think more about my future study and subsequent career. I loved the fact that studying languages opened up doors for me. I learned so much about other cultures and histories, and this gave me a fresh perspective on the world. I cherished that. After researching the right university, I definitely made the right choice. I had a fantastic four years at Cardiff University/Prifysgol Caerdydd, studying for my BA in French and Spanish. Translation assignments were an integral part of my degree course, and it was at Cardiff that I received some of my most valuable intercultural communication tuition as a fledgling translator.
In-country immersion: where overcoming language barriers got real
In 2001, I went to live in Nantes, France, and then Barcelona, Spain. I studied at universities there and experienced the countries’ language and culture up close. This was when things really took off and I finally felt confident in speaking my second languages to a high level. Ever curious, while in Barcelona I couldn’t resist taking a part-time course in Catalan. This year was also when I fell hook, line and sinker for France and Spain. More than 20 years later, I have returned to both countries most years.
Upping my game: studying to become a highly skilled linguist
It was at Cardiff that I first learned about translation as a profession. There was something about it that appealed to my word nerdery. But four years at university weren’t enough! I was incredibly eager to learn more about translation theory and practice, and about linguistics in general. So I applied to study for a Master’s degree in Translation and Linguistics at the University of Westminster, where I could refine my translation skills and work on more complex translations.
At Westminster, I also began learning Portuguese as a cognate language of Spanish. I loved Portuguese immediately and found that, with my knowledge of Spanish, Catalan and French, I could soon read it with relative ease and took additional evening classes to improve my speaking and listening skills.
Practical learning about international development issues
For my MA dissertation, I translated a 15,000-word report about women’s rights in Nicaragua from Spanish into English, with an extended linguistic commentary. I did this in coordination with the international charity Womankind Worldwide, for whom I was also working at the time, translating reports and communications about humanitarian aid projects. My work helped Womankind Worldwide amplify the voices of communities working for social change, showing the power of intercultural communication through translation – how the right words in English could make a big impact. This was how I discovered my niche in NGO translation.
Hands-on in-house translation experience at an international organisation
I was lucky that, living in London, there were some in-house translator positions. Someone pointed out an advert for translators at Interpol’s bureau in London, so in 2004 I applied, got an interview, passed a lengthy translation test and got the job.
In those first few years in-house, I was able to access training and real-world experience that I wouldn’t otherwise have gained. My work at Interpol was more focused on legal translation. But it also introduced me to how international organisations function and interact, and how language barriers impact justice.
During my time there, I refined my translation skills, my level of precision, and my general spoken language skills. I was learning to apply what I’d learned at university in real-world scenarios. I also undertook several training courses in international law, deepening my knowledge. As part of my job, I had to ensure accuracy under pressure; something that I knew would position me perfectly for freelance translation deadlines. After my time there, I was no longer a newbie, I had become an experienced translator.
Making the leap to freelancing
I soon realised I wanted to start my own translation business. The security of my translation day job allowed me the space to spend my evenings honing some crucial business skills and building my network. I also brushed up my English grammar proficiency through a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate at intensive evening classes and worked as a teacher of English as a second language for a time. For six months, I combined English language teaching and business English teaching with my fledgling translation business. When I felt ready to make the move, I went full-time in freelance translation and began taking on translation projects.
Where I want to be: specialist translation services for purpose-driven clients doing good things
Setting up my own business in 2008 was one of the scariest, most exhilarating things I’ve ever done. I’ll never forget how that first week felt. All these years of experience later, my work days are still varied and almost always fascinating and fulfilling. I get to work in a sector that I believe in, use my language skills, and deliver a great service to my clients. All thanks to translation. Who could ask for more?
Translating for NGOs, charities and non-profits can involve handling grant jargon, sector-specific vocabulary, and adhering to donors’ style rules. A professional translator will communicate reports, programme evaluations, policy briefs or donor communications accurately in English and with cultural intelligence.
A professional, human translator will be sensitive in their use of language, because they will have an incisive understanding of the human costs involved, the organisation’s mission and the impact it needs to make. They will align terminology with glossaries and adapt tone for funders and field teams, not just switch words between languages.
As a French, Spanish and Portuguese to English translator, I bring all that linguistic expertise, but also clarity, excellent grammar and punctuation, cultural sensitivity and deep subject-matter knowledge of the development sector. Every step I’ve taken – from academic study to in-house experience to nearly 20 years of freelancing – has shaped me into the translator I am today.
* * * * * * *
About Philippa
I take Spanish, French and Portuguese (and English!) content and transform it into snappy, fresh and 100% engaging English copy.
Want pithy English that gets straight to the point, while maintaining the ethos and impact of its original language? My clients rely on me for a genuine 1:1 working relationship, as a translation specialist who truly cares about your reputation. I think we could work well together, don’t you?