Life & Language: June Linguist Spotlight

It’s funny. As a language company comprised mostly of language professionals, one might sometimes forget that said language professionals don’t translate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They have lives outside of translation or interpreting, and some of them haven’t worked as linguists their entire lives.

We at TLC receive so much joy when we find out more about linguists’ life experiences, and we always learn that they lead exceedingly impressive lives. Karel Sobota, our June Linguist Spotlight, is one of those linguists. Although translation wasn’t his first career path, TLC is certainly glad he chose to be a linguist—and a reliable one, at that.

Teneo Linguistics Company: We’re animal lovers at TLC. Do you have any pets?

Karel Sobota: Yes, two cats named Zé Bob and Chiara.

TLC: Describe your formal educational experience, both past and present.

KS: Although I studied Electronics Engineering, my first job was as a data entry operator. Soon I took some programming courses and started my IT career, where I worked for 20-plus years. After switching careers and becoming a translator, I took several specific technical translation courses.

TLC: What is/are your native and first language(s)? And into which language(s) do you translate?

KS: My native language is Brazilian Portuguese. I translate from English and Spanish into Brazilian Portuguese.

TLC: In which countries have you lived?

KS: I have always lived in Brazil, except for one year in Eindhoven, in The Netherlands.

TLC: Where is your favorite place in the world?

KS: I have several. It’s hard to choose the favorite. Any uncrowded beach, on a sunny summer day, with a nice cold beer.  Sailing upwind on strong winds. Feeling warm and cozy next to a fireplace and enjoying a good wine. Being inspired to take some nice shots with my cameras. Of course, all of those get much better if accompanied by my loved ones.

TLC: What are your favorite hobbies or interests?

KS: My favorite hobby is black and white photography, either film or digital. I have several cameras, from a ca. 1910 Kodak 3A in perfect working order to a current Panasonic GH2.

TLC: What is an accomplishment of which you are particularly proud?

KS: On a personal level, raising three kids from my first marriage, all adults now, one of them already gave me a granddaughter and a grandson; and raising my two teenager stepdaughters from my current marriage. On a professional level, after switching careers and becoming a translator, every time I deliver a challenging project and receive good feedback from my clients.

TLC: What is something that many people don’t know about you?

KS: Two things. First, my wife is also a translator. We got to know each other because of that: she was my editor and in a couple of years we got married. We work side by side in our home office. Second, my father was a gifted linguist and spoke several languages fluently. He worked as a translator in the brave old days (no computers, no Internet, just a typewriter and several printed dictionaries). He passed away while I was still an IT professional, so he never knew I’d also be a translator. I believe he would have liked that.

TLC: Please reflect on your experience (so far) with TLC.

KS: Although so far I just completed my first project with TLC, I’m already thrilled working with the company. The project was very challenging, but the (original files) were well prepared and complete, and the (project managers) were friendly and supportive, all of which was very helpful to allow me to complete the project successfully. I certainly look forward to working in other projects and strengthening my working relationship with TLC.

Editor’s note: Karel partnered with TLC on a large-scale, technical manual for a client in the aviation industry. Thanks to his and the rest of the translation team’s work, the client was thoroughly impressed with the translation.

TLC: Lastly (since you live in Brazil), what are your thoughts on the upcoming World Cup?

KS: There’s been much controversy here and abroad over the investment in a sports event in a country where other basic areas still have much to improve. However, even when one is not much interested in soccer (or when, for political reasons, pretend not to be interested), things change when we see our team wearing that yellow shirt with five stars on it (five times World Cup champion). Politics aside, I’ll certainly be rooting for our team. Go Brazil, let’s get the sixth star!