Here’s another interview with one of our Afrikaans translators. Spikkels has been translating for over 30 years and knows the Afrikaans language like the back of her own hand.
1. Which languages do you translate and what industries do you specialise in?
“English and Afrikaans, specialising in government /local government and education.”
2. How long have you been a translator, and how did you get into translation as a career?
“Been translating for over thirty years – was the only Afrikaans person at an ad agency and they roped me in and since then that’s what I’ve been doing. Grew up in a very bilingual environment and even though Afrikaans was my home language, I spoke and read English most of the time.”
3. What’s the most challenging translation project you’ve ever worked on?
“An annual report for a provincial government department. 90 000 words in two weeks, while still translating for other clients. Actually ended up at the doctor who told me that I was burnt out.”
4. Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
“Casper de Vries (kidding) nobody!”
5. What do you want to be when you grow up?
“A school teacher, helping LSEN kids.”
6. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
“Sleep.”
7. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
“Thank you.”
8. What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?
“Gaudeamus igitur…..nog ’n naweek in sy m&*r.”
9. What’s your favourite Afrikaans word or phrase?
“Ja-nee”