Life & Language: September 2014 Linguist Spotlight

It is, truly, a small world after all. Language is clearly an international endeavor, and it’s astounding to think that some of the linguists we partner with are as far as 6,000 miles away. We feel grateful to be able to learn small nuggets of information about our linguists’ lives, and we count it as a true treasure when we are able to partner with a freelancer who lives in our area.

Anke Noack, a German and Portuguese linguist, lives in Austin, Texas, only about 200 miles south of TLC’s home base in Fort Worth. What’s more, she played an integral role in the navigation through a tricky EN<>DE  project that finally came to a close in June. When all was translated and revised (and then revised again…and again), TLC, Anke and the rest of the project team had devoted almost a year of time and effort. And Anke’s positive, willing and flexible attitude certainly made the process less stressful. We are proud to call her a linguist and friend.

Teneo Linguistics Company: What is your formal education experience?

Anke Noack: I have a master’s degree in translation studies from the University of Leipzig, Germany. And I’m contemplating to take a course or two at the local college. I’m kind of curious to see how translation studies and/or foreign languages are taught at an American college/university.

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

AN: My native language is German (although I rather speak in a Saxon dialect than “proper” German), and I translate from English and Portuguese into German.

TLC: In which countries have you lived?

AN: I grew up in Germany (in the socialistic East before the wall came down, and in the reunified Germany). I studied at the Universidade do Minho in Braga, Portugal, for a term, and I lived and worked in the Greater London area, UK, for two years before moving to Texas five years ago.

TLC: Where is your favorite place in the world?

AN: For me, that’s probably my parents’ house, and the place I grew up. Nothing is better than coming “home” once a year, and getting spoiled rotten by my mom and my family, and to be able to forget everything and not to worry about anything. I call it my home base since I love to travel. I wish I had more time, and more money to see more of the world.

TLC: What are your favorite hobbies or other interests?

AN: I do a lot of crafting as a way to relax after a hard day’s work. It can be anything from knitting and crocheting, cross-stitching to making cards. Usually these projects end up being presents for my family and friends. I also love to read, and to take pictures when I’m on vacation.

TLC: What is an accomplishment you are especially proud of?

AN: As odd as it sounds, but I’m kind of proud of the thesis I wrote as part of my university degree. It was a culture comparison between the armed forces of Germany and the US. Without it, I wouldn’t have earned my degree, and without the degree I wouldn’t be where I am today.

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

[I appreciate] being appreciated for the work we do as translators. Not every client does that. A simple “thank you” or “you just made my day”, or the little banter in the email communication makes me feel   like I’m part of the team. And I know how hard the work as a project manager can be, and therefore I appreciate their friendliness and willingness to help a little bit more. (Hana Laurenzo, TLC’s owner) also checked in to see how I was doing when I started working with their new translation tool, and she even responded to emails I sent over the weekend while working on a huge project for TLC. I just love working for TLC!

We love working with you, too, Anke!