She’s into martial arts, Asian languages and making people laugh. Meet Sophie, one of five talented young linguaphiles spending some time with Red Tape Translation while completing vocational training in Berlin.
What attracted you to the English language?
I started learning English in third grade. In the beginning it was just a foreign language I had to learn because everyone said it was important. Later, I discovered that the English language is way funnier than the German one (even though German has some fancy words as well). That motivated me to learn more vocabulary to be able to understand more memes and vines.
What made you decide to pursue a career in languages?
The reason is simple. My only talents are languages and sport. Everything else mostly ends in chaos.
Why did you choose to train in Berlin?
Because of the possibilities of finding a career and a job. And Berlin is one of only two cities in the whole of Germany that offer official training which includes Asian languages. I didn’t really have many options, as I wanted to learn Korean or Japanese.
What are you hoping to get out of your 4-week internship?
I really hope to get rid of my nervousness when it comes to speaking English. I currently have to mentally prepare for it every single time and it annoys me.
What’s your favourite quote in your native language? Explain it to us and tell us why you like it.
I’m not sure about that one, but I guess it’s “Hey, das passt ja wie der Arsch auf’n Nachttopf!”. It is used when something works out on the first try/perfectly. The first time I’ve ever heard it was in tenth grade and it was my biology teacher who said it. Since then I’ve been using it as well. I am not really sure why I like it, but it often causes people to laugh. So, why not?
What kind of translating do you enjoy the most? Why?
I prefer interpreting to translating. I don’t really like staring at a piece of paper and just working through pages upon pages of paper and text. Regarding the topic of translating/interpreting I really like cultural stuff and topics where I can learn something as well while doing the work.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully living abroad and working as an interpreter.
Name an interesting fact about yourself that you’d like to share with our readers?
I used to do Kung Fu for 4 years and I am going to start doing Taekwondo as soon as the pandemic allows.
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