20 (or so) questions on how Laura (@culturetrans) works

This series of posts was inspired by Lifehacker’s How I Work series, which I’ve been reading for quite some time and thoroughly enjoy. It’s about time we discover how our colleagues work and get to know them a little better.

If you want to participate in this fun series, email us at info@linguagreca.com so we can send you the Word template where you can fill in your answers and bio (incl. your site/blog/social media links) and then send it back to us as an attachment along with your photo (optional but preferred). If you don’t like any of the questions, just delete them and add your own. You can read the previous interviews here.

Location: A small village outside the town of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, UK.
Desired location: If I’m really dreaming, South West Florida would be fantastic 🙂 I’m definitely a warm weather person at heart and I grew up by the sea in Cornwall, so perhaps somewhere a little closer to the coast….
Current work title: Freelance translator from French & Italian into English.
Desired work title: I’m fairly happy with my current title. I’m a huge tennis fan and club player so in another lifetime I would have loved to have been Wimbledon Champion!
Languages you have studied or currently speak: I translate from French & Italian. I also studied German to a reasonable level and get by quite well in Spanish. If I could choose another one to learn, it would be Arabic.
The project you’re most proud of: My translations of the majority of the essays in the catalogue for Tate Modern’s “Edvard Munch: The Modern Eye exhibition” in 2012. Having the opportunity to focus on a single artist in such detail was fascinating.
Your current computer setup: Windows 7 on a PC. I also have a laptop, which allows me to be a bit more mobile.
Do you own a smartphone? Yes, an iPhone 5s. I wouldn’t be without it, it gives me the freedom to leave the house without the fear of missing something important.
Favorite time of the day: The dog walk, depending on the weather! We usually go out across the fields first thing. In the warmer months, it’s the perfect start to the working day.
Favorite gadget (apart from computer & smartphone): My capsule coffee maker. I try to limit myself to one or two a day.
Next conference/event you’re planning to attend: As I write this, I’m going to the Association of Art Historians conference in London tomorrow. After that, I’m hoping to attend the annual MET conference in Spain in October.
How many hours per day do you usually work: On average about 7. It varies hugely from one day/week to the next though.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I’d say about 70% introvert, 30% extrovert.
Are you an early-riser or a night-owl? Neither! I can get up early or stay up late when I need to, but am not a great fan of either.
What do you listen to while you work? The radio, sometimes. Or tennis match commentary if I’m working on a first draft.

And a few non-work related questions to get more personal.
Your babies or pets, incl. names and ages: Stella, a black cocker spaniel. She’s great company. I’m a firm believer that having a dog is a great way to combat possible freelancer isolation.
Next city/country you want to visit: Brazil. I’ve travelled quite a lot over the years, but South America is somewhere I’d like to get to know better.
Favorite vacation place: My heart is in Central Italy, but I’m always keen to discover somewhere new.
Favorite book: Very hard to choose. I love novels by David Lodge and travel books by William Dalrymple.
Favorite song: Eple by Röyksopp.
What are you currently reading? I’m about to embark on 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.

Author bio

Laura Bennett, MITI, is a freelance translator from French & Italian into English, specialising in Art History, Travel & Tourism and Food & Drink. She has an MA in French & Italian from Cambridge University and an MA in Art History from the Courtauld Institute. She is based in Beaconsfield and loves art, travel and tennis. Check out her website or follow her on Twitter.