Interview with CETRA’s Russian Intern: Maria Ladyzhenskaya
1. What is your role at CETRA? What is your background?
I’m a Translation Department Project Manager Intern at CETRA’s San Diego office. I’m a Russian native speaker and hold a BA in Translation (with Estonian and English as my major). Currently I’m pursuing my MA in Translation and Interpretation at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. I also work as a freelance translator and proofreader (EN>RU>EN).
2. What languages do you work with? What are some of the intricacies or challenges of the particular language you work with?
My usual language combination is EN-RU but sometimes I work from Estonian into Russian. The main challenge might be that the languages I’m working with are from different language families and, thus have completely different script, grammar and vocabulary. On the other hand, challenges like that require the translator to be more creative, which is a great motivational push for me.
3. What motivated you to get started in the translation profession? How did you get started?
I enjoyed my English classes at school a lot and then made a decision to proceed with my passion for languages onto a new level.
4. What professionally inspires you?
Works made by professional freelancers (qualified, creative people who I have a lot to learn from). Also, when translation agencies you’re applying to on a daily basis start sending you “We want you to join our team” note after numerous translation samples I submitted … that inspires to work harder and further develop my skills and knowledge!
5. Can you translate a sentence for us? Your favorite quote?
I’m happy to translate anything for CETRA anytime. This is a great company with a team of successful professionals that I’d love to further work with together! One of my favorite quotes by Confucius: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. It says everything.