Background
Judith A. Deitch
What distinguishes me from other translators in the Netherlands is my years immersed in English-language university culture. As well as being born and raised in North America, I have nearly 30 years of experience in a Canadian academic setting, with Bachelor, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Toronto. I have attended scores of conferences in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Ireland and Europe, and presented numerous conference papers, with published academic articles on a variety of topics in the field of Renaissance Studies. And I am still a practicing scholar with my own academic and translation projects, which keeps my mind and writing sharp. I have 16 years experience as a university lecturer, teaching a broad range of humanities and literary subjects, all with a strong comparative slant. The comparative approach is also essential to all translation, making my teaching background directly relevant to the profession of translator. As a teacher of academic writing and marker of innumerable student essays, my mind has been sharpened into a fine editing tool. This wealth of practical knowledge of English academic culture in all its facets I can now offer to my clients.
In 2014 I returned to the Netherlands and completed a Master in Linguistics, Translation in Theory and Practice, at Leiden University. Combined with my extensive academic background in literature and language theory, the new Master degree was a chance to hone special skills, develop a personal approach, and explore the spectrum and horizons of translation. At Leiden I fulfilled the requirements for becoming a legal translator. This training has been invaluable. PE points since graduation have been earned in the areas of International Law, International Environmental Law, and Substantive Criminal Law.
What kind of English? UK (Oxford or Cambridge spelling), American or Canadian English. I work according to your specifications and style guide. In general, I strive to write neutral English for international readers rather than language that is characteristic of either side of the Atlantic.
