Grow Your Own Specialisation

Developing a translation specialisation is in many ways like gardening. You start off with something easy that you enjoy doing. Over time you learn what works for you and your environment (client demand), cultivating more in-depth knowledge in a range of related fields.

The seeds of my current specialist fields were my interest in both the social function of law and the quirks of legal language...

Legal Seeds

Through volunteering at a charity providing Level 1 immigration advice to refugees and asylum seekers, I was able to see first hand how the law can both help and hinder vulnerable people. This volunteer role, and the training provided, gave me a basic understanding of immigration terminology and I therefore decided to pursue this avenue in my professional translation work.

Following numerous requests from my clients, I decided to branch out into business and contract law. I attended training in these fields and was diligent in my self-study. I enjoy deciphering the idiosyncrasies of both French and Spanish legal language and untangling them into comprehensible English. Being a strong believer in the social good of responsible international business operations, I found translating in these fields fulfilling, but was still keen to pursue the more human-oriented side of my career.

The EU: The business and human facets of law

In early 2013 I undertook a translation traineeship at the Council of the European Union in Brussels. I applied in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of a specific type of law (EU Law) that is relevant in both business and social contexts. I was also keen to hone my translation skills under the watchful eyes of more experienced colleagues. 

 Visit to European Parliament in Strasbourg

Translating at the EU enabled me to further and apply my knowledge in a range of areas, from corporate governance, through agriculture and environment, to workers’ rights. I was also able to truly appreciate the effort that goes into standardising terminology when I helped to refine the IATE terminology database.

The rise of human rights

In the early days of my career I began doing a lot of pro bono translation work for UNICEF DRC, Humanium and FIACAT, all NGOs working to promote human rights. I enjoyed working in this area and it played to my strengths (an eye for stylistic detail, telling human stories, clarifying complexity, ...). I soon began seeking out more work in this area of the law.

However, given the nature of human rights - often closely linked to development - I was often translating documents discussing economic and social rights in the context of development projects. I was beginning to grow my range of specialist areas, distinct but interlinked.

International law, human rights and development: The indivisible whole

I had been looking for a law course that really appealed to my strengths or covered the fields that I was keen to cultivate, when I struck gold at my younger sister’s graduation. Oxford Brookes would be offering an LLM in International Law with a new stream specialising in Globalisation and Development. This was perfect for me and I applied almost immediately.

The course was part time over two years, and it was a revelation. It highlighted to me the interconnected nature of international law, human rights, development and a range of other economic and social issues. In addition to human rights and development, modules covered international migration, corporate governance and legal research skills. I wrote my dissertation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they can be seen as tools for supporting human rights. I successfully completed the course with a Distinction.

Graduation Day

At present, I have an in-depth understanding of a range of interconnected and often indivisible fields that I continue to cultivate by regularly attending talks, seminars and other training (see my CPD Record). At present my specialist fields are:

Development & Governance:

• Social movements & civil society organisations
• Non-governmental organisations, charities & third sector organisations
• Social policy & social protection
• Sustainable development
• Governance & corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• European Works Councils

Human Rights:

• International human rights law
• United Nations conventions
• Indigenous peoples' rights
• Women's rights
• Children's rights
• Gender & gender-based violence (GBV)

International Law & Cooperation:

• European Union
• Council of Europe
• United Nations
• Intergovernmental organisations
• Civil & commercial law

International Migration:

• Refugees & asylum seekers
• Immigration & integration

Over coming weeks I will be hosting some guest posts so other translators can share how they developed their specialist areas. Let me know if you would like to get involved.