Clear & Effective Communications

My Professional Commitment

I am a hardworking services professional, with over fifteen years’ experience processing and communicating information on a vast range of topics to/from English. My work has brought me into serious and sensitive situations where clear communication, in conjunction with establishing and maintaining positive working relationships, are key requirements. I am resourceful. I am a team player, willing to listen or to lead as the situation demands.

My Professional Experience

2004 – to date: Freelance interpreter (Ireland, nationwide)
Working languages: English, Irish Sign Language (ISL)

Covering a wide variety of topics and settings including:

  • medical and hospital appointments;
  • conferences and public events;
  • education: from PLC to postdoctoral studies, as well as adult education and training courses;
  • legal settings;
  • social services;
  • job interviews, staff meetings and board meeting;
  • youth activities;
  • religious and non-religious life ceremonies (such as weddings, funerals, etc.).

2004 – to date: Writing, editing, proofreading and translating

Public Relations support for Cork Deaf Club: writing and editing statements and articles sent to Cork media outlets, in particular relating to the successful ISL recognition campaign.

Writing content for and managing the www.corkinterpreter.com website on behalf of the group of the sign language interpreters who cover Cork city and county.

Editing, checking and proofreading for Cork Deaf Club, Kerry Deaf Resource Centre (Tralee, Co. Kerry), as well as other Deaf organisations and individuals:

  • internal documentation (including training resources, organisation policies);
  • documentation for publication (online and in local media);
  • personal correspondence (complaints, CVs, etc.).

Translation of documentation from Spanish-English on a freelance basis and for the translation agency, Unique Voice (Tralee, Co. Kerry), mainly medical certificates, marriage and residency certificates, as well as some website translations.

2001-2003: Financial Translator, KPMG, Madrid, Spain

Translation from Spanish to English of complex corporate documentation for the company’s clients, including due diligence, annual accounts and correspondence. The translation team worked to strict deadlines. During this time, the company acquired and rolled-out the use of the translation tool, Trados.

Education & Qualifications

2016-to date: MA PR & New Media, Cork Institute of Technology

2004-2006: Dip. Irish Sign Language/English Interpreting, Trinity College Dublin. Result 2.1

1995-1999: BA Applied Languages: French & Spanish, Dublin City University. Result: 2.1

Continuous Professional Development

2013-to date:
Certificate in Grammar (online), Irish Academy of Public Relations
Plain English Training, one day workshop, NALA
Mediation: help others to resolve conflict, 10-week course, UCC
How to become a better negotiator, 10-week course, UCC
Introduction to Loss, 5-week course on bereavement and loss, St. Luke’s Home, Mahon, Cork

More About Me

  • I am on the Board of Directors of the Kerry Deaf Resource Centre, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
  • Member of CISLI, the representative body for Irish Sign Language interpreters; previously I was on the training and policy and strategy sub-committees.
  • I have a keen interest in current affairs.
  • I travel to Spain regularly and am passionate about the country, its culture and language. I studied Spanish Sign Language as a hobby in 2002/2003.
  • And I own a tiny piece of a chateau in France.
  • In my free time I like nothing better than checking out the newest restaurants in Cork city, and pottering around the Coal Quay Saturday Food Market. I am a Zumba Fitness enthusiast, and occasionally take to the River Lee with the Naomhóga Chorcaí rowing club.

 

Communications strategy reach

Source: Pixabay