by William Giller
The goal of the NCTA Member Spotlight is to showcase our association’s diverse and multitalented members. Up next: current NCTA Secretary Sarah Schneider
1. When did you first join the NCTA?
I joined the NCTA in 2017 when I moved back to the Bay Area after living in Imola (near Bologna) for 15 years.
2. What motivated you to stay an NCTA member?
I really enjoy the quarterly chapter meetings, as well as the social events. My work as a translator is so solitary, so it’s a pleasure (and a necessity!) being able to interact with other people in the same situation. My first NCTA meeting and ATA conference were both huge, eye-opening, life-changing experiences that I will never forget.
3. Are you more of a translator? Interpreter? Both?
I only translate; I don’t have any interpreter training.
4. What is your language pair?
Italian to English, ATA certified since 2018.
5. Care to share a memorable professional anecdote?
The most rewarding part of being a translator is being recognized for my work. I was recently contacted by someone who wanted to extend their appreciation for my translations of the display placards at a museum.
The coolest thing I’ve done as a translator was working as a secretary/translator for the stewards at races held at the track in Imola, including Formula 1, WTCC, Superbike, etc. I was lucky enough to sit in rooms with the likes of Michael Schumacher, Alessandro Zanardi, Jonathon Rea, and many more.
6. What is something notable you have learned from an NCTA meeting or colleague?
I’ve learned something interesting at every NCTA meeting I have attended! Most recently I’ve learned all about making cheese, what a corpus is, working for the Olympics, proper posture and good stretches, the list goes on and on!
7. What do you think the biggest challenge our industry faces today?
AI and LLMs are all the buzz. I think translators have no choice but to adapt to the new technologies in the industry. I also think that the key to survival is specialization; I’ve noticed I no longer receive translation requests outside my specific areas of expertise.
8. Outside of work, what can you be found doing?
Spending time with my kids (10 and 11), husband, and umbrella cockatoo Chi Chi, working on art projects, traveling, and reading.