Meet Lanny W., an English-to-Indonesian translation partner who resides in Jawa Timur, Indonesia. Lanny has been a part of the Lionbridge Community since 2012 and collaborates on projects in many industries such as Life Sciences, legal, marketing, and more. Learn more about Lanny below.

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

There is a constant stream of work, various subjects, and all of my contacts — like project managers — are friendly, helpful, and professional.

How did you get into this field?

I have always been interested in and excel at languages. Coupled with my engineering and medical background, as well as my time living in the U.S. for 19 years, moving into the English-Indonesian translation field was natural for me.

Describe a day in the life of a Lionbridge partner.

With deployment of tasks on a first-come, first-served basis, I am usually on alert at all times Monday through Friday. In the morning, I download whatever tasks I do get, and start on them right away. I am translating between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with a short break in late morning, lunch hour, and another short break in the afternoon. I also occasionally work on Saturdays and Sundays.

What advice would you give your younger self if they were just starting out in this field?

You cannot take your native language for granted. You still have to take an in-depth learning approach for your own native language.

Tell us about some of your hobbies and interests.

I love learning about the evolution of languages, which is very dynamic, especially nowadays. I also like watching movies in English and Indonesian and traveling around the world — I have been to 39 countries.

How many languages do you speak, and do you want to learn a new one?

I speak four languages: two fluently and two not as fluently. I do want to learn Mandarin and German as well.

Lanny W, an English-to-Indonesian translation partner

What is your favorite word or phrase in your native language and why is it your favorite?

Salam sehat, semangat, sukacita. (Meaning "May you be healthy, full of passion, and joyful.") Because I do want the people I meet to be that way.

What is your favorite food and why?

Tacos. They taste great, and they're suitable for someone who avoids rice like I do. They contain meat and vegetables and they're not greasy, depending on how they were cooked. They also remind me of the happy times I have spent with locals in Mexico and Southern California.

What do you like most about the country you live in?

In today's super hectic world, I can set my own pace in the small Indonesian town I live in.

What country would you like to travel to and why?

Many countries! The next country on my list is Finland, because I still have not enjoyed the Aurora Borealis there. Next I would love to visit some Middle Eastern countries, because I have traveled extensively in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, but I haven't visited any Middle Eastern countries yet.

What, in your opinion, makes your field special?

As we translate, we learn a lot about new information in the subjects we translate. Therefore, I feel like I'm gaining a lot of knowledge that I otherwise would not have discovered. Translation makes me feel like I contribute something to society because I help convey information that people wouldn't understand otherwise.

What is the coolest language task you’ve participated in?

I am not sure I could pick one, but I do feel happiest when I translate documents for medical devices, as I feel I somehow have a tiny part in helping patients.