- Multimedia
- English Language
- European Life
Media Services
Multimedia Creation
Would you like to have a record of your event or project in words, sound and pictures?
Types of events and projects
Cultural events, social projects, ethnographic projects, business events, academic and scientific conferences, field courses, local history, family history, family reunions, memorials, festivals, parties, competitions, book and CD launchings, exhibitions, research projects, courses etc. etc.
I can do all of this for you:
- Make Field recordings of interviews, speeches, performances and background sounds
- Take digital snapshot photographs of people, places, objects and activities
- Write the accompanying words, or edit and polish your own words
- Scan printed pictures and documents with a portable scanner
- Do background research if needed
- Provide a spoken commentary, linking narrative, or voice-over
- Edit and compile the audio, text and graphic files, and put them all together in a format that suits you
The result is a multimedia presentation, which you can use for your website, blog, brochure, article, report, broadcast, podcast etc.
You don't need to use all three media; you can choose just one or two. I don't yet do video recordings, but if you have video files, they can also be included in the presentation.
Locations
Have laptop: will travel!
I will consider going anywhere as long as it's not war-torn or dangerous.My usual places
- Slovakia, particularly Bratislava.
- Occasional visits to the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary. Vienna is very close to Bratislava and Budapest isn't so far.
- Ireland, mainly county Clare and other parts of the west.
- England, mainly Suffolk, Oxford, London and Surrey.
I don't intend to announce my travel plans in advance on this website, because that could lead to problems, but if you are interested in having me work for you in any of these locations, please email me and we can discuss it.
My plans are quite flexible, but obviously if I have to travel to a location specifically to work for you there will be additional charges.
Research
Some topics I have researched
Biology, anthropology, international culture, health, nutrition, gender issues, linguistics, the English language, traditional/folk/world music and dancing, genealogy, Ireland, England, Slovakia, Central Europe.
Do you have a topic that needs to be researched for your business or project, but you don't have enough time or expertise? Maybe I could do it for you.
Since I was a small child I've been asking a lot of questions, and I like doing research to find out the answers. I have been trained in both scientific and cultural research. My experience has included research out in the field, in laboratories, and in libraries and archives. I also have extensive experience of Internet research.
Language Services
Are bad translations spoiling your business?
Do you use English translations of your important web pages and documents? What do your readers think of them?
Do they make them laugh? Are they difficult to understand, or tedious to read? Or do they just look unprofessional?
I've read many examples like these, on the Internet and in printed publications.
Types of material I have proofread
- Radio news and features
- Tourist Information
- Menus and recipes
- Medical equipment
- Contracts
- Business and legal letters
- Legal theory and arguments
- Industrial and technical documents
Translation Best Practice
International best practice is for translations to be made from the foreign language into the translator's native tongue, but this isn't always possible. In many countries, e.g. Slovakia, there is a shortage of native English speakers who also understand the local language well enough to translate it. The solution is to have the text checked and corrected by a native-English-speaking proofreader before publication.
Correcting Translations
I have proofread many translations from Slovak into English. In most cases they required extensive editing and partial retranslation, not just proofreading, so it helps if I have some knowledge of the original language. Slovak, French and Czech are languages in which I am able to refer to the original document.
Translating Specialised Terminology
I have also successfully translated specialised terms from English to Slovak and Slovak to English e.g. the names of forest insect pests, electrical equipment.
Writing English Content
Even with proofreading, a translated document is unlikely to read as well as something written originally in English. This is because different languages have very different ways of saying things. If you are targeting an English speaking audience, it's better if your important material is written in English to start with, by a native speaker like me who is also a skilled writer.English Language Coaching
I'm qualified to teach English as a foreign language, and I can provide intensive tuition in general or specialised English, either one-to-one or in groups. I can also teach over the internet via Skype and email. Language coaching can be integrated with my other services, e.g. I can help you prepare a public presentation and coach you in the speaking part of it.
Email: shantranex@gmail.com