After working briefly as an air hostess following her time in school, Marina considers herself lucky to be able to do what she truly loves: translating. Having lived in Budapest, Málaga, Malta and Cork, this Face of Gengo is now back in her home country of Italy where she works full-time as an English-Italian translator.

Which languages do you speak? Why/how did you learn them? How do you maintain your proficiency?

Italian is my mother tongue. I started learning English because of a foreign boyfriend, but we’ve since broken up. I continued studying the language and ending up enrolling in a Foreign Languages and Cultures university course, where I took up Spanish and perfected it during my stay in Málaga.

Once you start traveling you meet people from every corner of the world. Speaking with them (and also reading a lot of books!) is the best way to keep learning and maintain proficiency.

How did you become a translator?

After completing a master’s degree in Literatures and Intercultural Translation, becoming a translator was my primary objective. However, without practice it is not easy to get many job opportunities. To gain experience, I had to work as cabin crew for a couple years while translating in my free time.

What have been your most enjoyable and challenging translation experiences?

The most enjoyable translation experience for me was editing an online EN>IT dictionary. The most challenging was a legal contract between Italian and Australian parties.

What’s your favorite thing about being a translator?

Every project you work on teaches you something new.

Describe your office setup or workspace.

A table with my laptop, water bottle, notepad, pencil, diary and tissues. Outside the window is my terrace, which has a lovely view, especially in the springtime!

Based on your specific cultural expertise, what are the best books or movies you would recommend to others?

Oceano Mare by Alessandro Baricco and Nuovo Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore.

What is your favorite snack for while you work?

Cereal bars.

What are your preferred translation tools?

Online dictionaries and encyclopedias.

What’s your favorite productivity tool or service?

Forums where you can share doubts and ideas with fellow translators.

What are your top tips for translators who are just starting out?

To relax, I try take a break around midday and go for a walk along the seaside, where I breathe as much clean oxygen as I can and go back to work with a relaxed mind.

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