Societies, Cultures and Modern Languages

Lisa Sabatier - nomadic translator (French, English, Spanish)

Master's degree in specialized multilingual translation, Université Grenoble Alpes (formerly Stendhal University), class of 2014, "Dream Team".

After two years as an in-house translator for an agency in Barcelona, I decided to embark on the freelance adventure. It was only then that I realized just how many possibilities this wonderful profession offered: independence and freedom among many others. So I decided to take the adventure a step further and set off on the road with only my laptop and my portfolio of clients in tow. I've never regretted that choice. For a year now, I've been traveling the world, setting up my office wherever I please: Thai beaches, Cambodian countryside, Vietnamese rice paddies, Sri Lankan tea plantations, New Zealand vans, bustling Australian cities... Every day brings its share of discoveries and new experiences, and I couldn't have dreamed of anything better. Thank you to the TSM Master, without whom this unique life would certainly not have been possible.

If you have any questions about this status or this way of working, please do not hesitate to contact me: sabatier.lisa@gmail.com

Léa Buadas-Fleuriot, freelance translator (French, English, Spanish, Italian)

Master's degree in specialized multilingual translation, Université Grenoble Alpes (formerly Stendhal University), class of 2011, "Les Gais lurons" (The Gay Lurons)

I obtained my Master's degree in Specialized Multilingual Translation from the University of Grenoble in 2011. Today, I've set up a micro-business called Au mot près, offering linguistic services in translation, proofreading and copywriting into French from English, Spanish and Italian. My university education has given me a varied and atypical background, which has strengthened my skills and prepared me for the freelance translation profession I practice today.

My first six-month internship was as a translator and proofreader in the Publishing Department of the International Council of Museums, a UNESCO agency in Paris. My main tasks were to translate and write all publications, such as press releases and magazine articles, into English, French and Spanish, and to edit external translations. With my diploma in hand, I was quickly recruited on a permanent basis by e2f translations, inc. in Toulouse, an international translation agency that I had heard of because former Master's graduates had done their internships there.
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After 6 months in the company's French offices, I was lucky enough to move to California, right in the heart of Silicon Valley, on San Francisco Bay, to work at the company's headquarters. As soon as I arrived, I went on an on-site assignment at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, one of e2f's customers. I was part of the iOS Localization team as a contract worker, and was in charge of translating Siri, the brand's virtual assistant. I then had the opportunity to fully integrate the Apple brand's marketing department, for which I worked for over two years in total, after (not without difficulty) obtaining a new work visa. My work consisted mainly of editing confidential content in French, Spanish, English, Italian and Portuguese, as a marketing specialist and linguistic expert in the Apple Worldwide Developer Relations department in charge of international relations between the company and application and software developers.

This very rewarding experience enabled me to change structures in 2014. Indeed, the hourly volume was very high and after 2 years, I was ready to adopt a healthier, less stressful lifestyle. I then accepted the challenge of launching the Stella & Dot brand on the Quebec market. This luxury fashion accessories company was already present in six countries. As Localization Project Manager, I was in charge of translating, revising and editing all types of content in French and Canadian French, managing resources and freelance linguists, and working closely with other marketing, localization and business development professionals. I was then promoted to International Marketing Manager, specializing in the fields of internationalization, and more specifically in the conquest of new markets and the introduction of products to international markets. My role also involved creating and maintaining glossaries and style guides for French, working with CAT tools, validating translations and maintaining translation memories, as well as ensuring linguistic quality assurance in
French and represent linguistic and cultural nuances in cross-functional meetings.

In September 2016, I finally felt like returning to my hometown, Marseille, where I made my home and founded Au mot près. The multi-disciplinary training I received during the Master's program enabled me to find a job quickly, right after graduation. I loved being able to work for an international organization during my end-of-studies internship, and then as a linguist in companies of all sizes. After 5 years' experience, I ventured out on my own as a freelance translator, and I'm very happy I did. Today, I take full advantage of the flexibility my entrepreneurial status affords me, enabling me to reconcile my professional and private lives.

If you have any questions about this status or this way of working, please do not hesitate to contact me: lea.buadas.fleuriot@gmail.com