Although Ana has only lived for a few months outside her home country of Portugal, she translates across four language pairs: English to Portuguese, French to Portuguese, Spanish to Portuguese and Portuguese to English. Outside of a short-lived childhood dream of wanting to become a firefighter, this Face of Gengo has always dreamt of a career in translation.

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

My native tongue is Portuguese but I also speak English, French and Spanish. I learned most of them at school and university, but I studied Spanish mostly by myself. Afterwards I did a course to improve and certify my knowledge.

I maintain my proficiency by translating and speaking with friends as well as watching TV shows and reading books in the original language.

How did you become a translator?

I felt really close to languages and knew that my professional life had to be something in the field. After finishing college, I applied to a translation course at university. I was one of the best in my class, and in my last year was invited by the university to start working with them as a translator. Since then I’ve been working full-time as a translator.

What have been your most enjoyable and challenging translation experiences?

My most enjoyable translation experience is happening right now; I’m finally taking the ropes into my own hands and feel much more connected to my work. For the same reasons, my most challenging is also taking place now.

What’s your favorite thing about being a translator?

I love that this profession, just like acting, allows for translators to have multiple personalities and multitask. We’re always learning about different subjects and current events.

Describe your office setup or workspace.

At the moment I have two workplaces, one for the morning and one for the afternoon and evening. Both of them are small but pretty cozy. There is a river close by, which makes me feel calm and peaceful.

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

I believe there are a few good books that can actually help others find and learn the ropes, I would recommend books by Fabio Said as well as my book, Batalhas de um Tradutor Iniciante.

What is your favorite snack for while you work?

My treat is normally butter cookies.

What are your preferred translation tools?

I can either work completely without CAT tools or I can work with a wide range of them, such as Dejavu, Trados and Wordfast. However, I believe Wordfast is easier to use.

What’s your favorite productivity tool or service?

Regarding productivity and being fast but still delivering quality work, I would say Wordfast.

What are the best ways to relax and stay sane as a translator?

For me, this is the million-dollar question. I’m one of those translators who has a really difficult time letting go and letting certain projects slide. However, I believe as a translator and especially as a freelancer, the best way to keep sane is to realize that we cannot do everything. We cannot be in many places at once, and, importantly, it’s okay to tell a customer when you don’t feel comfortable with a job or price.

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