by Fabiana Vassallo
My name is Fabiana and I’m in my sixties. Let me tell you my story.
I first delved into translation was when I was 16. I had research work to do and I couldn’t find a book in Spanish, my native tongue, which fulfilled the requirements. I found one in English, so I decided to translate the pages of the book I needed.
By the time I was about to graduate from secondary school, I had not made up my mind about a profession. I came to the conclusion that I could find it in translation.
I graduated as an English translator almost 40 years ago, in Argentina. In those days it was hard to find work as a freelancer. I could not contact any direct clients and as far as I knew, there were no local translation agencies. The internet did not even exist yet.
So, I accepted a position as a bilingual assistant in a bank where I worked until I got married, had two children and my housewife and mother roles “set aside” my professional one.
After 10 years, the marriage ended, and I returned to translation. I had direct clients, but I wasn’t earning enough, so I started as an assistant again, this time in a psychiatric practice and then as multitasking employee in a leather rug manufacturing business.
Fortunately, in both positions I could translate from and to English. But when I turned 60, the owner of the manufacturing business considered it was time for me to retire.
At first, I was in shock because I was still too young to retire. But when one door closes, another one opens. I returned to where I began; I returned to translation.
I discovered a new world in social media: translators, agencies, and the possibility of returning to the profession in the subtitling field.
I looked for the best local teacher in this field, who was teaching the specialization online and so far I have completed two levels. The next three will take place in the coming three months and I hope I can take my first steps in the audiovisual industry soon.