The Linguist

INSTITUTE MATTERS Meet our members HOW GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN INSPIRED ROSITSA LAFCHIEVA'S INTEREST IN LANGUAGES, AND WHY WORKING FOR THE EU HAS BECOME A CRUCIAL GOAL FOR THE PETER NEWMARK AWARD WINNER What were your early experiences that sparked an interest in languages? Growing up in Bulgaria behind the Iron Curtain, amid suffocating state-imposed narrow-mindedness, gave rise to an inner need for learning languages, and later the study of philology. They were my window to the world. I grew up in an idyllic mountainous town, but in small towns behind the Iron Curtain the choice of languages was limited. I learnt what was offered at school: Russian and French. In my teens, I dreamt of studying French at university, but life had other plans. So what did you end up doing instead? I started my Philology MA at the University of Plovdiv a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall. English was in demand, so I did an intensive course and started working as an English teacher at a private language school. I moved on to teach English at a secondary school, started postgraduate English Studies and gained a diploma in teaching English as a foreign language. The security of a permanent position was essential for raising my daughter, born in turbulent 1989. Translation assignments were limited to select clients; I enjoyed every word, especially in the fields of beauty, education, literature and archaeology. After relocating to Germany, spending time learning German and obtaining CERF certificates, I re-launched my career as a full- time freelance translator. Since then, I have worked in areas including tourism, marketing, public health, employment, public relations and, lately, primarily in social affairs. Congratulations on winning the Peter Newmark Award for best DipTrans (Literature) entry, presented in March at CIOL Conference. How did you prepare? I took the exam to have my knowledge, experience and skills validated by a leading professional body in an international context. Having regular translation, revision and editing work helped, although the areas in which I worked at the time differed from my chosen DipTrans units (literature and social sciences). I took two short courses to become familiar with past papers and update my knowledge and practical skills, and studied examiners' reports – their importance cannot be overestimated. Whenever I had time, I translated extracts from fiction and specialised magazines while timing myself. The DipTrans literary unit was a sheer delight – I enjoyed it hugely, which must have had a positive impact on the quality of my translation. It was not the first time I received top marks in translation, but the Peter Newmark Award is at an entirely different level. It is a valuable recognition which, I hope, will reassure potential clients of my capabilities. What one thing has most surprised you about working as a linguist? That I never get tired of learning new things. Working as a linguist means learning continuously. It means never a dull moment. It helps us to never stop growing as individuals. What has been your most rewarding job? In recent years, translations to help victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. Providing the most vulnerable people with information which would be out of reach without translation is certainly rewarding. Who has been your biggest inspiration? In terms of languages, the remarkable professors at my university. Broadly speaking, there is a long list of writers, poets, scholars, translators, artists and creators who have had influence on me. In a personal respect, it is my wonderful daughter. She's chosen a different career path yet actively uses English and, half- jokingly, was my Trusted Intelligent Reader while I was preparing for the DipTrans exam. What are the main benefits of being a CIOL member for you? The resources for members on the website, especially The Linguist and the webinar library, which provide numerous useful insights, and the sense of belonging and opportunities to connect with colleagues. Your languages are English and Bulgarian but you're based in Germany. Does that mean most of your work is international? To make the international picture even more complex, my partner is a Dane of Norwegian descent. Keeping up with several languages and cultures means there is always something new to discover, which is intellectually demanding but never boring. I work with direct clients and agencies in Europe. It has become possible to work from anywhere in the world; all one needs is a room of one's own and a reliable internet connection. What would you most like to achieve within the next 10 years? Being able to focus exclusively on my favourite areas: literature, arts and social sciences. Also translating for the EU, which I consider very important, even crucial. I write as the world watches in disbelief as Russia invades Ukraine: in this context, working for the biggest ever peace project takes on a new dimension. @Linguist_CIOL

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