Frank Callan
Freelance Translator-Interpreter (Spanish-English), Ciudad Real (Spain)

February 2012

I have been a full-time, freelance translator and reviser of academic articles in business administration for over 8 years. Since 2009 I have also offered interpreting services to firms and government bodies in the province of Ciudad Real (Spain) and surrounding areas, as well as Madrid. I specialise in the wine industry (see my specialist website if you are from this industry), among others.

Translation is frequently used as a synonym for interpreting, but this is not strictly correct. Put simply, translation involves the conversion of written texts from one language into another (from the source language to the target language), while interpreting involves the facilitation of oral communication between two or more people who are not speaking the same language.

Liaison interpreting services

If your firm is doing business in Madrid, or in Ciudad Real or surrounding areas (for other cities/regions please enquire), and you need an interpreter to help you speak to your Spanish associates or customers, I can help. I can provide a true bridge between two cultures, as I was born, raised and educated in Britain but have lived and worked in Spain for over 10 years and have recently become a Spanish citizen. I am available for full-day or half-day periods (or by the hour for local jobs).

There are three main techniques in interpreting: simultaneous, consecutive, and liaison. In the first two it generally involves one person speaking and one or various hearers. Simultaneous interpreters translate what the speaker says in one language to the other language while the speaker continues to speak (this is sometimes done by whispering, or chuchotage); consecutive interpreters do the same but after the speaker has finished speaking. In liaison (or bilateral) interpreting, in contrast, the interpreter facilitates a conversation between two or a small number of people. Interpreters work in various settings: at multi-lingual conferences (conference interpreters); in the courts (legal interpreters); in public service settings like hospitals, schools, and town halls (community, or public sector, interpreters); and in business and other settings (escort interpreters). I work as an escort interpreter, mainly using the liaison technique. I accompany Spanish clients abroad and foreign visitors to Spain and help them to communicate with people who do not share the same language.

Interpreting work

Ciudad Real, 18 December 2011. I interpreted for a journalist preparing an article on Ciudad Real Airport.

Spanish Wine Fair, Fenavin (Ciudad Real, 10-12 May 2011) with Bodegas Santiago Roma (Rías Baixas, Spain). Frank “managed to get across my passion for this project…[and] transmit my feelings about my wine... Thanks Frank” (Santiago Roma, Bodegas Santiago Roma).

Spanish Wine Fair, Fenavin (Ciudad Real, 5-7 May 2009) with Bodegas Ramón de Ayala e Hijos (Briñas, La Rioja, Spain). "We were very satisfied with Frank Callan's work as interpreter during FENAVIN 2009. He showed a perfect command of the job and utter professionalism at all times. Always ready to help wherever he could" (Gonzalo de Ayala Trujillo, Bodegas Ramón de Ayala e Hijos).

Freelance translation services

As it is accepted practice that translators should only translate into their native tongue I only translate from Spanish into English. Please click here for details.

Profile

47 years
Recently naturalised Spanish citizen, British born, raised and educated

Mother tongue English, fluent spoken and written Spanish

Residence in Spain for over 10 years, married to Spanish woman (profound knowledge of Spanish culture, society and language)

Over 8 years experience as a full-time translator (Spanish to English) and reviser of academic articles for publication

More than 60 works published in international academic journals or read in international conferences

Associate member of ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting)

Intermediate level in German

Brief CV

Goethe-Zertifikat A2 (German exam, 2^nd of 6 levels on European framework for languages) (Goethe-Institut Madrid, Sep 2011)
WSET Intermediate Certificate in Wines and Spirits (The Wine Academy, Marbella, 2010)

Postgraduate Diploma in Translation (University of the West of England, 2002)

Advanced Spanish Diploma (University of Granada, 1999)

Masters Degree in Mathematics (University of London, 1989)

Honours Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science (University of Reading, 1987)

3 A-Levels, Stevenage College (Stevenage, Herts.)

9 O-Levels, St. Mark's Comprehensive (Harlow, Essex)

 
Contact
Tel: +34 926 241 962 
Mobile: +34 677 304 947
Email: mail@frankcallan.es

Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)