My name is Dr Carol van Buren. I am a London lawyer / academic who moved to Germany because of Brexit and a desire to keep the rights I enjoyed as an EU citizen. I had also reached a stage in my life where I was ready to try something different. Berlin seemed like the kind of place where his might be possible.
As a lawyer, I had also worked with foreign language contracts from time to time. A Ku’damm lawyer friend of mine was complaining about the quality of work produced by mostly by non-native, non-legally trained translators. Before reading law, I had studied several modern languages and even done a stage as in Brussels as an interpreter. Knowing my background, my friend asked me to translate a contract which the previous (well-established) translator had not done to his satisfaction. The translation was urgent and my friend did not have time to search for another translator. Wanting to help a friend in need and having nothing else to do with my time, I agreed.
I completed the translation before the deadline and, to my surprise, I found I actually enjoyed it. My friend was very happy with the work and he persuaded me to register as a freelance Specialist Translator (Fachübersetzerin) so that he recommend me to colleagues. I registered and started working officially, all my clients were word-of-mouth. I never got round to creating business cards, or advertising my services. Worse, I never got round to creating a website – a cardinal sin as these days every business must have an online presence! However, I kept putting off the website because, truthfully, I had no idea what kind of “interesting” content I could include on a website about my translation service.
Translation is not sexy. Unlike artists, I can’t include a portfolio of my art work or my photography. Unlike fashion designers I can’t showcase my clothes. Unlike musicians or dancers I can’t upload videos of my performances. Unlike someone who translates literature, the kind of translations I usually do (legal, business, financial) are not the kind of texts people would flock to read if I published samples on this site. In any case, this is actually impossible due to client confidentiality.
The Lightbulb Moment
At the start of this pandemic (April 2020), I started an English language FB group called Berlin4Beginners (B4B) aimed specifically at the many foreigners in Berlin whose German is weak or non-existent. Initially, it was just to provide translated updates of the ever-changing regulations and info about various grants and programmes available. At the time, I imagined the pandemic would last just a few months and then I could archive the group as it would have served its purpose. Well, the group took on a life of its own and is still going strong with over 9000 members. When I have time, I translate all kinds of texts and articles – not just Ordinances. This has now given me an idea of what I can include in the blog section of this website and/or what I can provide as a sample of my work as a substitute for actual confidential contracts, letters, agreements and reports.