Today, I’m celebrating 20 years as a freelance translator. 

When I began this journey on August 10, 2006, I couldn’t have imagined where it would lead—or the remarkable people and meaningful projects I would encounter along the way. 

Since 2006, technology has transformed the translation industry. My business, skills, systems and projects have evolved too. 

But the heart of my work has remained the same: helping clients communicate clearly and confidently with their francophone audiences.

Translation is about More than Words (one of my favourite 80s songs) 

A good translation needs to be accurate, but accuracy is only the beginning. 

The message also needs to sound natural. It needs to respect the people it is meant to reach and reflect the organization’s voice, values and purpose. 

Whether I’m translating educational resources, research findings, website content, newsletters or materials related to inclusion and accessibility, I’m always thinking about the people on the other side of the words. 

Will they understand the message? Will they feel included? Will the language sound as though it was written for them—not simply converted from English? 

That responsibility is why I still care so deeply about this work. 

Trust is built in the details 

Over the years, I’ve learned that clients aren’t simply looking for someone who can translate a document. 

They need a reliable partner who understands the assignment, asks the right questions, communicates clearly and delivers quality work on time. They need someone who will catch inconsistencies, research unfamiliar terminology and think about details they may not have had time to consider. 

Most of all, they need to feel confident that their project is in good hands. 

That trust is built through every email, every carefully researched term, every respected deadline and every project completed with care. 

Quality requires a solid process 

One of the most important lessons I learned early in my career was that good intentions aren’t enough. Quality needs to be supported by a reliable process. 

That lesson led me to strengthen my research practices, refine how I manage terminology and make professional revision a permanent part of my workflow. 

My clients may not see everything that happens behind the scenes—and they shouldn’t have to. They should simply receive a polished translation they can feel confident publishing. 

The tools have changed. The human responsibility hasn’t. 

Artificial intelligence and other language technologies are changing the translation industry quickly. These tools can be useful, but they don’t replace judgment, context, research or accountability. 

Language is deeply human. It carries nuance, culture, intention and emotion. The right wording depends not only on what a sentence says, but also on who is saying it, who needs to hear it and what the organization hopes to accomplish. 

Technology will continue to evolve, and so will the way I work. But human expertise, thoughtful collaboration and professional responsibility will remain essential—especially when the message matters. 

The best work happens through partnership 

Some of the most rewarding projects of my career have grown from long-term client relationships. 

The more I learn about an organization, the better I can support it. I become familiar with its voice, terminology, audiences and priorities. The process becomes easier for the client, and the translations become increasingly consistent. 

That’s the kind of relationship I want to continue building: a genuine partnership that helps clients reach their French-speaking audiences while allowing them to focus on their own areas of expertise. 

Looking ahead 

Twenty years in business is a milestone I’m incredibly proud of, but I didn’t reach it alone. 

To every client who trusted me with a first project—and then came back with another—thank you. 

To my proofreaders – David, Birgit and Amanda – and professional partners who helped me deliver my best work, thank you. 

And to everyone who recommended my services, shared my name or supported my business along the way, thank you. Your confidence in me helped build the business I have today. 

As I begin this next chapter, my commitment remains the same: to provide thoughtful, reliable translations that help organizations connect with their francophone audiences—with clarity, confidence and care. 

Here’s to the next chapter. 

Ready to reach your francophone audience with confidence? Let’s connect!