
This week we would like you to meet Ms. Gillian Sloane-Seale, one of our hard-working translators specialising in French and Spanish into English.
Have a look at our Q&A with Gillian below!
RMC: Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions for our blog. Can you tell us, why did you decide to become a translator?
Gillian: I love learning and culture. The more languages I learn, the more accessible the world has become for me, feeding my curiosity about the world. As a translator, I am able to marry my love for learning about various sectors and subjects with my love for research, needed to ensure that terminology from various sectors is applied correctly.
RMC: How has the translation industry changed in the past few years?
Gillian: Like the rest of the world, technology (CAT software) and artificial intelligence (machine translation and post editing (MTPE) have now forever transformed the translation sector. Those naysayers who discount this transformational phenomenon are closing themselves off from the future and new opportunities.
RMC: How do you see the translation industry in the future?
Gillian: In what ways has technology impacted the industry positively and
negatively? I answered above.
RMC: Do you think translation receives its due respect as a profession?
Gillian:No, it doesn't. People still think that if you speak more than one language, you are qualified to call yourself a translator. Also, there is a mistaken belief that because machine translation (aka AI = artificial intelligence) is becoming an indispensable tool in the translation industry, that it will soon replace
human translation. I believe that we are far from there. We both need each other for a long time yet because until AI can truly distinguish nuanced language and translate nuances, human translators will be here for a long time yet.
RMC: It is preferable for translators to translate into their native tongue, why do you think this is? Do you agree?
Gillian: Not necessarily. A non-native translator can be completely immersed into another language and culture 100%, i.e., living, eating, sleeping and breathing a foreign language to the point of being native.
RMC: How long have you been collaborating with RMC Language Consultancy Limited?
Gillian: Since its inception!
RMC:When you are not translating what do you enjoy doing?
Gillian:Travelling, reading, international politics, studying, dining out, movies, including Netflix and some interior decorating