Name: Eliana Serikako
Where you live: São Paulo, Brazil
What you’re doing these days:
Working harder than ever, from home. And I’ve been studying French for a whole year now.
Something you’re proud of:
On the professional side, I’m proud of my work as a translator for over 30 years. Also proud of being recognized by my peers and clients. On a personal note, I’m proud of my volunteer work as secretary of the Brazilian Association of Okinawa Descendants, here in São Paulo.
A bit of background:
I got a bachelor’s degree in English-Portuguese translation and interpretation in 1984. Over the years I specialized in business, accounting and auditing. This is because in earlier lives I worked for big auditing firms such as Pricewaterhouse, Andersen and Deloitte, here in São Paulo. Years later I took an interest in law and decided to face university life again. In 2011 I graduated with a law degree. My grandparents came to Brazil from Okinawa in the 1940s. I also speak Japanese. In fact, I love languages!
How long have you been an ATA/PLD member?
ATA member since 2005.
A major challenge:
The beginning, for sure. Getting my first jobs. And then, with the ball rolling, the challenge was staying alive and thriving in a profession that is so poorly known and so undervalued in the Brazilian market.
Any exciting projects?
I’m currently working intensively on translation of accounting reports. And studying French. I want to work with French as an additional language in the near future!
Currently on your reading list:
- La liste de mes envies by Grégoire Delacourt
- Translated by Anthea Bell as “My Wish List“
- “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to do?” by Michael Sandel
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