My name is Stephanie and I am a linguist, proficient in English and Spanish. I hold a B.A. degree in Linguistics with a concentration in Translation from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. My background in linguistics and my studies in communication at George Washington University have allowed me to have a deep understanding of not only the components of language structure but also of the pragmatic uses of language in different communicative and cultural settings. This, in turn, has made me versatile in services such as translation, text editing, proofreading, and language teaching.
In the early stages of my career, I participated in many community outreach projects that have shaped me professionally. For example, I served as an interpreter and translator in two medical missions, facilitating communication between health professionals and underserved families in Ecuador and Peru. Also, as an English teacher in the Resettlement Program of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), I provided refugee students with basic conversational tools to communicate in English-speaking countries to which they were being relocated. The skills and knowledge I gained from these experiences would allow me to join the field of international relations and inter-governmental organizations. In 2018, I became an intern and, later, a consultant for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an independent body of the Organization of American States with a significant reach and impact across the Americas.
During my time with the IACHR, I managed the timely processing, translation, and publication of resolutions and memoranda drafted by the precautionary measures team, whose mandate is to process and analyze the most urgent cases of human rights violations brought before the Commission. Among my duties, I was required to ensure that translations were clear and consistent in both English and Spanish, and to submit all documentation to the vote of 7 commissioners. This entailed mastering the language of relevant legal instruments, including the Rules of Procedure and the American Convention on Human Rights; revising documents for grammar, spelling, voice, and tone; maintaining great attention to detail and good organizational skills, and delivering results within tight deadlines.
Moreover, as the lead translation consultant, I oversaw the work of translation interns and junior consultants, to whom I provided constant training on the language and translation practices of the IACHR. I prepared presentations and regularly provided feedback. I gained excellent public speaking skills and became well-prepared to work collaboratively with others. My versatility led me to diversify my tasks, and I was entrusted with managing the official correspondence with Member States and petitioners. I actively contributed to reducing the procedural backlog of my department, to the extent that correspondence instructions were executed and completed nearly on the same day of request. I adapted to the fast-paced dynamic and learned about the legal aspects of the precautionary measures mechanism while continuing to apply my language skills to the benefit of my team’s mission.
After working for over 3 years at the IACHR, I began to look for opportunities that would allow me to build on my skills, take my expertise to a higher level, and continue to grow professionally. In 2021, I landed a role with Great Minds, an education publishing company specializing in math, science, arts, among others. I started as a Translation and Content Editor, and a year later, I assumed the role of Senior Editor. More recently, I became a Senior Translation Technology Specialist.
In my current role, I support the day-to-day translation process of Great Minds’ instructional materials by handling the technical aspects of translation operations, including data management and document processing, ensuring the efficient and high-quality delivery of multilingual content. My primary responsibilities include leading AI-driven translation workflows, focusing on efficiency and quality assurance, managing and optimizing translation assets like translation memories and termbases, and helping implement best practices for print and digital content.
During my time at Great Minds, I have led initiatives involving different technologies. For instance, when the translation team began working with accessibility elements and internal knowledge of creating alternative text in Spanish was limited, I took the initiative to research the experience of Spanish-speaking users who rely on accessibility software to interact with educational materials. This research helped me understand the technical aspects that led to refining translation guidelines for both alternative and actual text.
As the translation and localization industry continues to adopt AI-powered translation tools, I have built a solid foundation in many of the tools relevant to this position. For the past two years, I have regularly used WordFast Pro to optimize translation memories and increase efficiencies across projects. I have also been involved in integrating AI translation technologies to streamline workflows. I have gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools such as BWX, Lilt, and HeyGen. In HeyGen, I managed the translation of audiovisual materials, including the translation team’s first in-house voice-over project, working with minimal supervision. I learned how to effectively work with timestamps and adjust AI-generated voice-overs to match the correct intonation and timing.
Additionally, I am pursuing an M.A. in Localization Project Management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. My studies have included training in SDL Trados and more comprehensive translation management systems like XTM and Phrase. These tools have provided me with valuable management experience, such as setting up and assigning translation projects, tracking progress, creating reports, managing file transmittal and version control, and integrating TMSs with content management systems. Recently, I completed the Linguistic Prompt Design course by RWS to gain insights into how linguists can use AI and prompts to guide translation review processes.
At this stage in my career, my professional objectives align closely with the direction of the translation program at Great Minds. As the company continues to evolve its translation program in line with current technological trends, I am eager to elevate my expertise and contribute to this effort. I am confident that my knowledge of translation technologies, along with my expertise and passion for language, will allow me to succeed in my new role as Senior Translation Technology Specialist. My adaptability allows me to easily adjust to new settings and acquire new skills, while my sense of responsibility ensures I always keep the end users in mind.
