What, you mean translators are real people and not just machines who process input in one language and output texts in another? What a shock!
There are as many ways to say things as there are people to say them. The style of your translation depends on the style of your translator. We should therefore get to know and understand each other better. Personal relationships with my clients are important to me.
As you may have gathered from my resumé, I was born and raised in South Florida. Now what would cause a person to pick up and leave the “Sunshine State” with its beaches, palm trees and fantastic sunsets for Germany? Well it wasn’t the climate, I’ll tell you that much!
Actually it’s all his fault: That’s Tammo Löffler, my husband of seven years. Not only does he answer all my tough German grammar questions, he’s still married to me even though I can’t pronounce his last name correctly and once hit him over the head with a golf club. (Yes, of course it was an accident!)
Every self-respecting Holmes naturally requires a Dr. Watson to assist. My constant companion and trusty sidekick is Jack, trilingual genius (German, English and Cat), software expert and quality assurance inspector par excellence. Not to mention the fact that he reminds me to relax every once and a while!
Two other important people in my life are my parents, Jean and Lucien Holmes, to whom I will always be grateful for uncomplainingly paying all those astronomical long-distance phone bills to Europe during my college years. Here they are brushing up on German lifestyle and culture in Bonn. Say “Prost” guys!
And then of course there is my best buddy and oldest friend in the whole wide world, Douglas Turner, the creator of this site. A talented artist, woodworker and site designer, Doug is the person to call for professional website production with a personal touch. For more information, visit his site at: DougTurner.net
What do I occupy myself with when I’m not translating? Mostly I try to stay active. I love inline skating, Oriental dancing and working out at the gym. And yes, I still play golf, although I sometimes have difficulty finding people willing to play with me . . .
My favorite thing about living in Europe? The cafés! A cup of cappuccino, a girlfriend to chat with and a cozy café to sit in and watch the world go by—now that is my idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon!
Living in a foreign country has taught me many invaluable lessons both hard and easy, funny and sad. Above all it has taught me to view the world with an open heart and mind. And to never abandon hope that I, too, may one day learn to pronounce “ö” and “ü” correctly. Spending time abroad is a humbling experience I would recommend to everyone!
But enough about me—what about you?