MET Day Three: Stimulating from start to finish! đđ
Saturday kicked off with Susanâs session âHow to give constructive feedback to writers (or anyone)â, which included roleplays as client and editor. It really got me thinking that choosing the right words and putting yourself in othersâ shoes is key to giving feedback and communicating effectively.
Next up was Gabrielaâs talk on âChoosing less-travelled paths to new clients and collaborationsâ. I wasnât sure what to expect but I went with an open mind and her talk really was encouraging us to try unexplored markets, how we can do it and what obstacles we may face.
After a group photo in the beautiful courtyard, it was time for coffee â well-deserved! â
Clare Vassalloâs session âTranslation in a tourism and heritage landscape: a pragmatic viewâ was right up my street as this is my specialisation. It highlighted how much potential is slipping through the nets, and Simonâs point âI donât think the translators are the issue, I think clients areâ really stuck with me. Itâs a reminder that clients donât always see the full value we bring to helping them reach international audiences.
Dorothy Kennyâs âDancing with the devil? On the use of AI in literary translation and beyondâ was a timely session, sparking fascinating discussions on AI in our work.
Lunch and mingling in the courtyard recharged our batteries, followed by Julesâ session âClearly able: sensitive editing for texts on disabilityâ, which led to thoughtful conversations about best practices and real-world challenges.
I finished the day with a lighthearted session: âKeeping the reader laughing: translating puns and wordplayâ with Rachel was a perfect way to flex those creative muscles!
The afternoon wrapped up with the AGM and raffle. I wasnât lucky this time, but Iâm excited that next yearâs conference will be in Perugia, Italy!
Another choir rehearsal led into the end-of-conference dinner â drinks, music, choir performances, and even a bit of dancing. đđ¶
My MET takeaway: what a lovely bunch of people! Thank you to all of you, this experience is one which will stay with me for a very long time.