Meet the Community: Kathryn L.

Tell us about your work for Lionbridge.

I've been working on projects for Lionbridge for more than 10 years now, primarily with Lionbridge Legal. I translate from Spanish and Portuguese into English, and the projects I work on often combine legal and technical aspects. As a dual specialist in legal and technical translation, this has been a great fit for me. I love the fact that these big legal cases are often substantial, totaling hundreds of thousands of words, split among multiple translators and spread out over weeks or even months. Sometimes, court cases that have been quiet for a year or more flare up again with a new round of filings. This allows me to tap into background knowledge, file formats, and terminology I've already compiled.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I like to be a "problem solver" for the project managers I work with. I think they look to me for projects that aren’t straightforward. Often, the work requires using existing assets, such as old translations or multiple documents that aren't set up in a CAT environment. I get to figure out the most efficient way to piece them together and create a final translation that aligns with what the customer needs. I also get projects from clients with very specific needs for stylistic quality and terminological accuracy. Those projects make me feel that the effort I put into understanding the underlying legal concepts and frameworks is appreciated.

How did you get into this field?

I moved sideways into translation in my 40s after failing to find a permanent position in academia. I used the Spanish-language skills I picked up in my years of pursuing a PhD in anthropology with a focus on the Andes. I coupled those skills with the general skills from my undergraduate degree in writing and years of working on and off as an academic editor.

What are some of the coolest language tasks you’ve participated in?

Many legal cases also come with some interesting backstories, everything from mining disasters to rum distilling. It's a lot of fun for me to research new aspects of the law and learn new sets of terminology. One of the most interesting projects I've worked on involved an international dispute over the ownership of historical shipwrecked treasure. It gave me the opportunity to learn about maritime law and shipwreck recovery.

What do you like most about being a part of the Lionbridge Community?

I appreciate the flexible schedule that freelancing for Lionbridge offers. I can take off for 3-day weekends, do activities with my dogs or horses in the middle of the day, and tend to my garden on my own schedule. It's been a great career move overall. As my biggest client, Lionbridge has played a key role in my financial and personal success in the field.

Tell us about some of your hobbies and interests.

I am a "country mouse" at heart, and freelancing means I'm not tied down to an urban area for work. I have a small farm in Maryland. I also recently bought and moved across the country to a rural property in Washington state. It has 15 acres of forest, clearings, and even a pond! Country life allows me to enjoy my equestrian and dog-sports hobbies: I own three horses and have two German Shepherd mix dogs that I compete with in dock diving and frisbee.