ABOUT
IMA Translations is Isabel Marie Adey.
Reader, writer, listener, stickler for detail.
Creative, quality-obsessed translator of commercial, academic and literary texts from Spanish and German into English.
Scrupulous editor and proofreader of English.
English language consultant for non-native speakers.
Born and raised in Yorkshire. Educated in Edinburgh, Salamanca and Freiburg-im-Breisgau.
Based in Leith, Edinburgh.
PUBLICATIONS & SAMPLES
There are many different sides to my work. Literary translation, nonfiction, creative translation, writing; using translation tools, editing, proofreading, consulting. Read on to find out more…
Information - Links - Samples
LITERARY TRANSLATION & EDITING
Giovanna Rivero, Fresh Dirt from the Grave (Charco Press, June 2023) ** Bookseller’s pick 2023: The Portobello Bookshop, Topping & Company, Blackwell’s **
Marvel Moreno, December Breeze (co-translation with Charlotte Coombe) Europa Editions, Nov 2022 ** Shortlisted for the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute Translation Award 2023 **
Sepp Mall, A Dog Came into the Kitchen (Sample commissioned by Leykam Verlag)
Editor - Cemile Sahin, All Dogs Die, trans. Ayça Türkoğlu (forthcoming from MTO Press)
Lana Lux, Tidy Relationships (Sample commissioned by Hanser Verlag)
Timon Karl Kaleyta, Healing (Sample commissioned by Piper Verlag)
Marc Raabe, Homesick (Bonnier Zaffre, 2018)
Editor - Selim Özdoğan, A Light Still Burns, trans. Ayça Türkoğlu & Katy Derbyshire (V&Q Books, 2023)
David Toscana, The Weight of Living on Earth (actively seeking publisher; to view sample or for rights information contact Sophie Savary)
Solange Rodriguez-Pappe, On Time for Breakfast (short story from the collection La primera vez que vi un fantasma, Candaya)
Editor - Selim Özdoğan, 52 Factory Lane, trans. Ayça Türkoğlu & Katy Derbyshire (V&Q Books, 2022)
Ulrike Draesner, Schwitters (Sample commissioned by Penguin Random House)
Andreas Wunn, Clean Times (Sample commissioned by Aufbau-Verlag)
Eugenio Rico 'Kangaroo's Kiss'
Robert Juan-Cantavella, Nadia (Galaxia Gutenberg, contact Sophie Savary)
NONFICTION, ACADEMIC & HYBRID WRITING
The thing I love about nonfiction and academic writing is how much it teaches me. I get the chance to do lots of fascinating research and pass this knowledge onto other English speakers through my translations. Travel writing, nature, music, art and the social sciences are areas of particular interest to me. Below are just a few examples of the kinds of nonfiction and academic work I have translated for clients:
Alfons Kaiser, Karl Lagerfeld: A Life in Fashion (Thames & Hudson, Feb 2022) ** A Financial Times Book of the Year 2022 **
Luis Pérez-Oramas, Parable of Waxes, Wasteland of Mirrors (Nara Roesler Gallery, Carlito Carvalhosa Retrospective)
Daniel Schwartz, Tracings (Thames & Hudson, Oct 2023) - essays by Giovanna Calvenzi, Carolin Emcke, Fanni Fetzer, Beat Wismer
Felix Hoffman, ‘Time & Timelessness: On the Concept of Reproduction in the Work of Deborah Turbeville,’ Deborah Turbeville: Photocollage (Thames &Hudson, November 2023)
Ulrike Draesner, ‘Mind Goggles’ (essay for the ‘Transforming Archives’ project, Berlin Academy of Arts)
Regular translations for Art in Translation (journal)
Alan Pauls (speech excerpt) Berlin Review Launch
Ulrike Draesner, ‘Giving Voice,’ Nevin Aladağ, Sound of Spaces (Museum Villastuck)
Gisela Geiger, Heinrich Campendonk: The Great Masters of Art (Hirmer Verlag, 2023)
Emilia Roig, The End of Marriage (extended sample for Ullstein)
Kristina Lunz: The Future of Foreign Policy is Feminist (extended sample for Ullstein)
Janina Findeisen, My Room in the House of War (extended sample for Andrew Nurnberg Associates)
Hot Art, Cold War: Southern and Eastern European Writing on American Art 1945-1990 (Routledge) - various articles
The Travel Episodes - A Well for Uganda / Big River, Yukon
Proofreader: Solace of Lovers: Trost der Liebenden (collection of writing about art and poetry in Iran)
‘Explaining and Describing: Panpsychism and Deep Ecology’, Michael Hampe
COMMERCIAL TRANSLATION & TECHNOLOGY
I work with a selection of major commercial clients, translating and proofreading press releases, website content, in-house magazines, confidential information and general marketing. This kind of content requires seamless terminology, adherence to style guides and attention to detail. I also work with a select number of high-end boutique translation agencies.
Translation technology (also known as 'computer-assisted translation') is one way of ensuring consistency and efficiency when working with commercial clients. This technology can be both a blessing and a curse; although it can be very helpful, it needs to be handled with caution to maintain a human touch. I use memoQ to help me write drafts of certain types of texts or handle larger projects in multiple languages. These tools contain translation memories that can accommodate past translations, term bases and reference material to ensure consistency, accuracy and adherence to style guides. They can also spot any inaccuracies or omissions that might otherwise run the risk of slipping by unnoticed when time is of the essence.
EXPERIENCE
After achieving a first-class degree in Modern European Languages (2009), a CertTESOL (2010) and an MSc in Translation (2011), I set about building my own freelance translation business to help authors, academics and businesses reach and resonate with an English-speaking audience.
Since the early days of my business in 2012, I have produced translations for high-end clients in a wide range of sectors, including publishing, marketing, sustainability, design, fashion and food. I have also worked closely with universities to produce translations for academic journals and to help budding translators to hone their craft.
QUALIFICATIONS
Chartered Linguist & Qualified Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (MCIL, CL)
MSc Translation & Translation Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh (2010-2011)
CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Trinity College (2010)
MA (Hons) Modern European Languages (German & Spanish), University of Edinburgh (2005-2009): first class with distinction in spoken Spanish
German Studies, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg (2008)
Hispanic Studies, Universidad de Salamanca (2009)
A Levels in Spanish, German, English Literature & Psychology (AAAA)
AFFILIATIONS
I joined the Chartered Institute of Linguists as a fully accredited member (MCIL) in 2014 after successfully completing the rigorous application and assessment process. I was awarded the prestigious status of Chartered Linguist (CL) in 2017 after demonstrating an ongoing commitment to professional development.
In 2018, I was admitted to the Society of Authors (Translators Association) following the publication of my first full-length book translation.
As a member of the Emerging Translator's Network, I am connected to a huge network of fellow translators and writers working in various language combinations. Perfect for clients looking for recommendations! This network also keeps me informed about the latest developments and opportunities in the world of literature and translation.
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS
I am determined to keep growing as a translator. And of course, by that I mean as a writer. To keep stretching myself creatively and professionally, I make a priority of developing and honing my creative writing and translation skills in the company of other experienced translators. For example:
Nov-Dec 2021 - Residency at the Jan Michalski Foundation in Switzerland (link): Charlotte Coombe and I were awarded a three-week residency to work on Colombian author Marvel Moreno’s novel En diciembre llegaban las brisas (pub. 2022, Europa Editions). We completed our translation while staying in one of the iconic treehouses at the foot of the Jura mountains (link).
Goethe-Institut Emerging Translators' Programme (2014): as one of the six winners of this German to English competition, I was commissioned to write a sample translation for the magazine and invited to attend a workshop with Shaun Whiteside at the Goethe-Institut in London.
BCLT International Literary Translation & Creative Writing Summer School at UEA (2017): Spanish to English workshop with literary translator Anne McLean and author Vera Giaconi.
Arvon Literary Translation Retreat 2016: an intensive week of translation workshops and feedback sessions at the Ted Hughes Centre under the expert guidance of Maureen Freely and Daniel Hahn.
BCLT International Literary Translation & Creative Writing Summer School at UEA (2016): German to English workshop with literary translator Katy Derbyshire and author Rasha Khayat.
CONTACT
If you have a project or a proposal you would like to discuss, just drop me an email or use the contact form below. I will be more than happy to discuss rates, deadlines and the finer details of your query. Longer sample translations are also available on request.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
CONTACT FORM
