Passion for Translation
Translation, interpretation
& administrative services
Translation and revision
Consecutive interpretation
Administrative services
Who am I?
Are you looking for a perfection-seeking linguist who is also dynamic, efficient and punctual? Someone who understands Belgium’s three regions like no one else, travelled extensively and is an administrative task master with an eagle eye for detail? Do you also frown upon widespread spelling mistakes on social media? Do you value a professional presentation of your products and services as a tool to boost your sales? You found the right person. Let me further introduce myself…
More information
What do my clients say?
Transatlantic Translations
You're one of the best linguists I've ever been working with, if not the 'bestest', and I know hundreds across the globe...
Caudalie
Vous êtes géniale, merci !
Betacowork
If you want to work with somebody that is good, that you can depend on and that can really manage a project, Helena is your woman.
Lu!s Paragraph
't Is een plezier om je vertalingen te lezen.
Bongo bonnen
You're the best!" "Je bent echt geweldig, bedankt!
Monster.be
Super job! Ziet er echt goed uit. En een mooie en eerlijke uitwerking van de prijs ook
IntercommIT
Ik heb jou aanbevolen. Ben dan ook zeer tevreden over hoe jij het hebt aangepakt!!
Zipcar
Your help has been instrumental in helping us get over the line. Thanks so much for your attention to detail, flexibility and patience [...] I can completely see why X recommended you!
Fabulous! Thanks as ever for being the most reliable translator of all times!
Words in Translation
Oh wow, always beating my expectations, thanks!
Do you want to work with me?
Email me your request (with your phone number). I will get in touch as soon as possible.
I translate from French, Spanish, English and Portuguese into Dutch and Flemish and vice versa (for this purpose, I work together with native speakers). I also provide services such as rewriting, revision, proofreading, editing and text correction.
I am a member of the Belgian Chamber of Translators and Interpreters and use Trados Studio 2017/2019.
Certified PRO profile on ProZ.com: http://www.proz.com/profile/1184024
Themes: general texts, advertisement & marketing, e-commerce, tourism, arts & culture, gastronomy, food & beverage, wellness, children’s games, HR, legal, migration & integration, cosmetics & fashion, EU related-matters, history, sustainable development, NGOs, environment, linguistic evaluation of brand names, localization of advertisement campaigns in Belgian Dutch...
Find out what Passion for Translation can do for you!
Clients
Caudalie, Lady Green, Brasserie Caulier, Bapas, Beursschouwburg, bon, Bozar, Betacowork, Poweo, Zipcar, Zencar, Cedec, MSC Cruises, Story Publishers, Bongo, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Lumin Communicatiebureau, Free2IT, ManBox, Smartflats, GEnetvision, Beast Animation, Usborne, KillmyBill, Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen, Galtane natural paint, Fundación Patagonista, Monster.be, PHOS, SHC, Snelvertaler.nl, UTRAX, City of Roeselare, King Baudouin Foundation, Frutas Montosa, Huis der Gezinnen, IntercommIT, individuals, international translation agencies (among others Amplexor, Lexcelera, Solten and Eurideas) and marketing and communication agencies (among others Words in Translation, Mediaforta and Cuttlefish Inc.) ...
Click here for my portfolio 2024.
Do you want to work with me?
Email me your request (with your phone number). I will get in touch as soon as possible.
My name is Helena, and I would like to talk to you about my assets…
I am a Fleming who lived in Brussels for 8 years, in a mostly French-speaking context. I also lived in Wallonia for a while. This means I fully understand Belgium’s multiple cultural identities.
I also spent a lot of time in Spanish-speaking countries. I have a perfect command of Spanish.
In 2003, I obtained a Master’s degree in translation, magna cum laude, from Hogeschool Gent.
I am a through and through perfectionist, and that is necessary when you work with languages. I work efficiently and precisely. I am a quick learner. I have a knack for administration and small print.
Although translation had always been part of my past professional experiences, I finally decided in 2010 to become a self-employed translator and interpreter. This choice continues bringing me satisfaction and challenges. I can be 100% involved in what I am passionate about and good at.
Due to my experience in different sectors, I not only know how businesses operate, but I also have a clear insight into the non-profit and development fields. These experiences made me understand different corporate cultures, and I learnt to work under high pressure. This is a great asset in my current job.
Education
- 1993-1999: Latin & modern languages
- 1999-2003: Master's degree in Translation French-Spanish, option interpretation, magna cum laude, Hogeschool Gent (ex-Mercator). Master's thesis translation of literary works Spanish-Dutch
- 2001-2002: Erasmus exchange, Roman Philology, University of Seville
- 2003-2004: Advanced Master Conflict and Development Studies, cum laude, University of Ghent
- 2015: Self-study of Portuguese, followed by a private Portuguese course for advanced level 'Learn Portuguese in Brazil', in Brazil
- 2020-2021: Certified community interpreter training, Flemish government’s agency for integration and insertion, Brussels & Ghent
Professional Experience
- 2004: Assistant teacher of Dutch, Department of Translation, Hogeschool Gent
- 2005: Translator/interpreter French-Dutch, FBZ -FSE van de Elektriciens, Brussels
- 2005-2006: Customer Relations, Monster.be, Ghent
- 2006-2008: Project Assistant, King Baudouin Foundation, Brussels
- 2009: Staff member strategic communication, Department International Bridgebuilding Avina, Buenos Aires
- 2009: Staff member communication and organisation, 'de Verenigde Verenigingen', Brussels
- 2010-now: Self-employed translator, copywriter and proofreader, consecutive community interpreter
Do you want to work with me?
Email me your request (with your phone number). I will get in touch as soon as possible.
I am a consecutive interpreter. What does it mean?
A translator translates in writing. An interpreter translates a conversation orally. A consecutive interpreter, also called conversation interpreter, does not translate simultaneously (like a conference interpreter). Present alongside two parties, the consecutive interpreter translates in turn what the parties say. I interpret from French into Dutch (and vice versa) as well as from Spanish into Dutch (and vice versa).
I act as consecutive interpreter before the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons. I also completed a training course in community interpretation organized by the Flemish government’s agency for integration and insertion (Vlaams Agentschap voor Integratie en Inburgering). I'm now a certified community interpreter.
What is a community interpreter?
A community interpreter translates communications between two parties in an administrative, social or medical context. She assists people who do not have a sufficient command of the language in which the services are provided. For example, she may intervene at the hospital, during a parent-teacher conference, at a meeting with the administration (welfare agency, court system, etc.) or during a consultation with a psychologist. The community interpreter is required to observe a code of ethics. Discreet and neutral, she offers a complete and transparent translation. She acts professionally in all circumstances.
Do you want to work with me?
Email me your request (with your phone number). I will get in touch as soon as possible.
The best way to contact me is by email. Send me an email with your request and telephone number. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Send me your to-be-translated/corrected/revised text for a free and personalized offer. Rates depend on the combination of languages, deadline, difficulty of the subject matter and length of the source document.
helena.vansynghel@gmail.com
Skype: helena_vansynghel
BE 0779 367 878
a) Can't I have my text translated by a machine such as Google, Chat GPT or DeepL?
Yes, certainly, if you want to get a general idea of the content of the text. Machine translation has progressed a lot in recent years. Unfortunately, the result will frequently require major improvements in spelling, grammar and interpretation. In addition, the text will often be far from coherent. If you want to present yourself in the best possible light to your clients and other interlocutors, you are better off using the services of a professional linguist.
b) Would it not be better for me to use a dirt-cheap translator or translation agency?
Yes, certainly, if the reliability and quality of the translation is not important to you. When you work directly with a professional freelance translator, you avoid the high overheads of an agency that must pay its marketing and administrative staff. Moreover, as your texts are always translated by the same translator, the consistency of your communication is guaranteed.
c) Will my texts remain confidential?
Of course. Unless you subsequently publish the translation on the Internet or make it public in some other way.
d) What is a community interpreter?
A community interpreter translates communications between two parties in an administrative, social or medical context. She assists people who do not have a sufficient command of the language in which the services are provided. For example, she may intervene at the hospital, during a parent-teacher conference, at a meeting with the administration (welfare agency, court system, etc.) or during a consultation with a psychologist.
e) What is a consecutive interpreter?
A translator translates in writing. An interpreter translates a conversation orally. A consecutive interpreter, also known as conversational interpreter, does not translate simultaneously (like a conference interpreter). Present alongside two parties, the consecutive interpreter translates in turn what the parties say. The interpreter is required to observe a code of ethics. Discreet and neutral, she offers a complete and transparent translation. She acts professionally in all circumstances.
Do you want to work with me?
Email me your request (with your phone number). I will get in touch as soon as possible.