Zingterview with a Translator: Natasha Cloutier
By: Julija Savić
Tags: Zingterview, Translation, Interview, Freelancing, Copywriting

Is life everything you thought it would be, and more? What did you think it would be?

In Canada translation has a higher value because it’s done by people in an ‘Order of Translators’ whereas in Europe it’s more of a free for all. Although translation remains interesting as it evolves, the business side of it keeps a lot of us poor, and I wish we’d stop pretending that we’re OK with that. Realistically, many translators I know are basically ‘subsidised’ by either their partner or the government to be able to continue to translate even though they cannot make ends meet. We’re not paid enough, it’s getting worse every year, and it’s not sustainable on the long term. We need to talk about this and stop ignoring it.

What is it you love about your lifestyle as a translator?

My lifestyle as a self-employed person means I live by the sword and die by the sword: everything I do right is all my doing, and I’m solely responsible for anything that goes wrong.

What was your darkest moment as a translator?

About 15 years ago I had a maritime translation where I had to deliver a set amount of words per day (yes, weekends too) during a hot summer month. The woman in charge of the project took off for a week with no warning and left me hanging. Once the project was over, she sent me four pages of hate mail, refused to pay me, and tried to sue me, which is rare in The Netherlands. I got legal help and pushed back. She reluctantly paid, [I was in the right], wrote me more hate mail [pointed out mistakes she made herself] and went around on platforms saying I was the worst translator she’d ever dealt with. One day, the CEO of a major translation marketplace who I knew had a meeting with her face-to-face. Without me having told this person my story, they told me unprompted that she was a total bitch and I felt vindicated. (If she’s reading this, f*** you).

If you listen to music while working, what’s on your speakers lately? Spotify links or YouTube links are much appreciated 😉

I’m also a French music DJ [DJ Natashka], but I don’t usually listen to music when I’m translating. I do recommend new stuff like my talented French friend Minimatic:

…and the best ever version of Erik Satie’s Six Gnossiennes by French pianist Anne Queffélec:

If you had a magic wand and a pointy hat that actually worked, what would you change about the translation industry or your working lifestyle?

That we don’t have to rely on partners and or the government to be able to work! Nobody should have to pay to work. That we could all make a decent wage and stop pretending that we’re fine, when we’re not.

What are you doing at home or in the office to be more productive?

Upgrading my gear: a new computer, a new monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And (drum roll) Internet at home. I only had it on my phone for years because that’s how tight money was for a while.

Tell us about the weirdest thing you ever translated.

Probably that one catalogue from Dutch into French about anal toys.

What’s the best question that we didn’t think to ask?

What’s your best business tip? Translation is not the tough part, running a sustainable business is!