anna  m.  stevenson
translations, writing, editing

Portfolio

Jump to samples of: Translation -- Copyediting -- Writing

Feel free to for a short test edit or translation.


Translation samples

Short sample IT glossary, French - English

  • alimentation en données — data input
  • évolutivité — future-proofing; upgradeability
  • refonte — redesign; overhaul
  • solution palliative — workaround

From the book Olive trees under every angle, ISBN: 2-84825-081-X

Page 47:
The color of an olive depends on its maturity. The fruit can be consumed after a radical pickling process that weakens its original bitterness. Only after this process are olives ready for your table. Unlike most other fruits, olives cannot be eaten directly from the tree, since their strong, bitter taste would be unpalatable.

Original:
La couleur de l'olive dépend du degré de maturité. Le fruit peut être consommé après avoir subi un traitement radical à base de saumure, qui atténue son amertume originelle. Ce n'est qu'au terme de ce traitement que les olives, enfin prêtes à la consommation, finissent sur votre table. Contrairement à la plupart des autres fruits, on ne peut déguster l'olive et la consommer immédiatement, car sa forte amertume rebuterait immanquablement le palais.

Page 68:
Olive trees quietly display their rough bark for our contemplation. Their massive bodies and enormous, cracked roots evoke organic ghosts. At the frontiers of a dream world, olive groves resemble herds of dinosaurs that have been lost in our era, immobile and mute carriers of an everlasting message.

Original:
Les oliviers imposent placidement à l'oeil human des écorces rugueuses semblables à la peau des grands reptiles. Leurs corps massifs comme leurs racines énormes et craquelées suggèrent l'image de fantômes végétaux. A la frontière du rêve, l'oliveraie ressemble à un troupeau de dinosaures égarés dans notre temps, immobiles et muets porteurs d'un message d'immortalité.


Copyediting samples

From The Everything® French Phrase Book, ISBN: 1593371446

Page 9, edited:
The Everything® French Phrase Book is designed to help you in two ways: it will give you an introduction to the most important French grammar concepts and pronunciation difficulties, and it provides useful phrases for any common travel situation. With the introduction out of the way, turn the page to start learning more about French.

Original:
The Everything® French Phrase Book is designed to help you in two ways: It will give you an introduction to the most important French grammar concepts and pronunciation difficulties. And it provides useful phrases for any situation common to traveling. So now with the introduction out of the way, turn the page to start learning more about French.

Page 51, edited:
6:50   six heures cinquante/sept heures moins dix
             see zeur seh(n) ka(n)/seh teur mwa(n) dees

Original:
6:50   sept heures cinquante/moins dix
             seh teur seh(n) ka(n)/mwa(n) dees

Page 84, edited:
Driving in France will be different than what you're used to. On country roads, where you might expect one car to pass another at a time, four or five cars may pass all at once. In cities, be aware that at intersections without stoplights, stop or yield signs, right-of-way is given to cars coming from your right. Likewise, you have right-of-way over cars to your left at this type of intersection. Just be extra vigilant and you shouldn't have any problems.

Original:
Driving in France may be different than what you're used to. On country roads, where you might expect one car to pass another at a time, four or five cars will pass all at once. Just be extra vigilant and you shouldn't have any problems.


Writing samples

My online journal, perso.fraise.net, is updated regularly with casual observations on my own life, France's language and culture, politics, my cat and other subjects. As a means to express myself outside of professional life, its style is informal.

From Jack magazine, Italy, July 2005 issue (JK059)
(Translated into Italian. Following are the first three paragraphs of the English original.)

An Insider's Nice

Nice: the city's name conjures up images of the wide Promenade des Anglais, with its crowds of walkers, beachgoers and rollerbladers. Natives of the city say Nice is only active five months out of the year, from May to September, a remark that has its truth. But you won't find many of those natives during the summer months, since they leave for vacations elsewhere, making room for visitors: despite the exodus of year-long residents, Nice's population doubles in summer.

Indeed, one of Nice's biggest secrets is that it's best appreciated in late spring and autumn rather than summer. June, July and August are so hot that the sky, azur the rest of the year, is overcast, and the pebble beaches crowded. But visitors need not fear, because other than these drawbacks, summertime Nice is made for them.

When I moved to Nice five years ago - in summer! - my first destination was the refreshing Place Masséna, with its comfortable concrete chairs, climbing rose and vine trellises, fountains and skateboarders. I chose a crisp morning, perfect for relaxing with a book (bought at Librairie Masséna, one of the only remaining private bookstores here), and people-watching, as well as occasionally being watched! Place Masséna is a great way to learn about and meet residents, especially at a time when most are on their way to work. In the afternoon you're more likely to meet tourists.