Born in France in 1969
Resident of the Netherlands since 1991
Mother tongue: French
Language combinations
- English > French
- Dutch > French
Areas of specialisation
- Technical: user's manuals, assembly instructions, product information sheets... in a variety of fields (mechanical, automotive, electronics, computers/IT, construction...)
- Business: correspondence, brochures, websites, marketing documents, contracts, press releases, accounting
- Legal contracts, Chamber of Commerce registrations, articles of association
- Sworn certificate of every document I have translated
- Other texts: Business journals, diplomas, speeches, culinary recipes
Please contact me for further information. The areas of specialization are too varied to provide a complete list here.
Philosophy
Pascale Pluton's motivation for creating Aquila Translation was to free herself from churning out high volumes of translations for the derisory prices which many translation agencies impose on their subcontractors.
Pascale Pluton prides herself on her status as artisan. For her, this love of creating flawless work means that a satisfied client takes precedence over a bank account that is rapidly filled. Translating allows Pascale to satisfy her natural curiosity about life as it allows her to learn so much about so many different areas of activity.
Even as a young girl, she had already acquired a love of the written word, comparing instructions for preparation in the several languages one finds on a canned food label, and would often go to bed, leafing through the pages of an encyclopaedia much like someone else would leaf through a comic book.
From that moment on, it would seem that the only logical choice would be to choose the profession of translator...
Diplomas and important dates
- 1987: Baccalauréat professionnel `Secrétariat' (Professional Secretarial A-levels)
- 1989: BTS `Secrétariat Commercial Bilingue (Commercial Bilingual Secretary programme of higher education)' (correspondence, marketing, business and labour law, international trade, management and general economics, accounting, business English)
- 1995: Dutch as a Second Language (NT2)
- 1999: Diploma from the School of Translation and Interpretation in Maastricht (HBO, Higher Vocational Education), specialisation in technical texts
- 1999: Sworn before the Court of Maastricht
- 2000: Member of the Dutch Association of Translators and Interpreters (NGTV)
Professional experience
- 1989-1991: Various positions as a business secretary in Lyon
- 1991-1994: Assistant to the Marketing Director at Markus Software (Roermond)
- 1994-1995: Call Centre Agent for FedEx/HP
- 1998: six-month internship in Ireland at a computer software localization company
- 1999-2001: Part-time translator at Duo Vertaalbureau in Maastricht, part-time freelance translator
- 2001: Decision to pursue a freelance career providing translations to various translation agencies and direct clients
Personal interests
The attention I dedicate to my profession involves the astute management of my energy. In addition, I am particularly attentive to the maintenance of my personal balance. A bit of exercise (cycling, walking), artistic pursuits (photography, oriental dance, creation of costumes and fashion), cultural activities (world music and art house films), combined with a particular interest in diet and nutrition and cooking allow me to approach my work each day with drive and enthusiasm. I watch TV5 on a regular basis, and visit my family and the city of Lyon often to keep my French current. If there is one thing I find frustrating, it is that there are only 24 hours in a day. Life is so fascinating!
