Get to know more about me and my background

About me

My name is Emma and I am an Italian translator and interpreter based in Northampton, in the UK. I am originally from Sardinia, and languages have shaped my life from the beginning thanks to the bilingual environment in which I grew up.

Studies

Through my studies and my personal interests, I started learning foreign languages in my early years, long before I decided I was going to follow this as a career.

I obtained a degree in Foreign Languages from the University of Cagliari, in Italy, and then a degree in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Salamanca, in Spain.

I have obtained the Master in Translation Studies at The University of Birmingham in July 2022 and my final project was an extended translation of young adult literature from English to Italian focussing on the translation of humour and gender-neutral language.

Hobbies and interests

If I had to describe myself in a few words, I would probably say that I am a passionate traveller and a tea lover.

I have lived in several countries, including France, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand before making the UK my home. These stays allowed me to familiarise myself with the local cultures, a knowledge that I apply daily in my work.

Along with travelling, reading and writing are two of my main passions and I combine them in my blog. I write about languages, translation, and books on a regular basis and the articles are mostly in Italian, but you will also find some that are in English.

In my travels as in my daily life, I try to reduce the impact I have on the environment and to cause as little damage as possible to it. In my profession, I try to follow the same principles and to work with clients who share similar values.

Why Knotty Translations?

I am aware that my Sardinian surname is not easy to pronounce for those who don't speak Italian and it might confuse some Italians as well. Keeping that in mind, when I was choosing a name for my business, I decided to go for something different that would represent me, and Knotty Translations was exactly that.

The name is a tribute to the versatility of English spelling and pronunciation, and its propensity for creating puns. “Knotty”, pronounced just like “naughty” in some English variants, refers to the naughty linguistic knots that hinder communication.

Knotty Translations was created to help businesses and individuals with their translation and communication needs and my aim is to undo those naughty linguistic knots for you.

Professional affiliations

I am a member of IAPTI, the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters, and an Associate within ITI, the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, and I abide by their professional codes of conduct.

Click on their logos to visit my IAPTI profile and to read my interview on the ITI website to get to know more about me.

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