Rachel Jones

Entertainment

Drama, comedy, detective series, documentaries and interviews

A good audiovisual translator must understand how a film or series is constructed. The shots, music, dialogue, text—everything works together to make meaning. You have thought meticulously about every aspect, and your creative work deserves high-quality subtitles and voice-over that make the translated version just as enjoyable as the original. You want natural, idiomatic translations that sound like something somebody would actually say. The translated dialogue should reflect the character's tone, register and intentions, while respecting the rhythm of speech and visuals, like shot changes.

Selected projects

• French to UK English subtitling for two episodes of a "The Bachelor"-style comedy series
• French to US English subtitle QC for two episodes a children's animation/comedy series
• French to UK English subtitling of #salepute, a documentary on cyber violence against women
• French and German to US English subtitle QC for the documentary The Eichmann Trial by Elliot Levitt
  
• French and German to English subtitling of Viraler Humor – Was Corona-Witze über uns erzählen, a documentary about COVID humour
• Swiss German to US English subtitling of three episodes of detective series Der Zurich-Krimi (Money. Murder. Zurich.)
• German/Austrian German to US English subtitling of two-part drama Riesending (Deep Down: Every Second Counts)
• Austrian German to US English subtitling of four episodes of detective series Die Toten vom Bodensee (Murder by the Lake)
• German to US English subtitling of two episodes of drama series Meine Mutter ist unmöglich (Kiss the Chef)
• German to US English subtitling of two episodes of comedy series Mord mit Aussicht (Murder with a View)

You can find a database of my work on the SUBTLE website here.

I had a chance to watch through the film with your edited subtitles in place. Thank you so much for your hard work—they read great, and you’ve done an excellent job retiming and reformatting them where necessary, while preserving the flow and style that was already in place. Some of your rewrites, even minor ones, helped to clarify for me exactly what was being expressed in certain places, which allowed me to tweak the editing a bit to (hopefully) improve a couple of scenes. 

Food, wine and coffee

Menus, recipe books, marketing copy, cooking videos

You want your dish to be just as mouth-watering for your target audience. The ingredients must be described accurately, consistently and in a way that that considers their cultural references, yet retains the flavour of the original. Recipes must be clear and easy to follow by respecting the norms used in British and American recipes, like common measurements and phrases. I infuse all my food and drink translations with my passion for cooking, wine, coffee and the joy of sharing food across cultures.

Selected projects

• Weekly French to US English food and wine menu translations for the first class of a French airline
• French to UK English menu translations for a French seaside restaurant
• French to UK English marketing copy translation for a cocoa company
• French to UK English translation of recipes for a bread, viennoiserie and pastry manufacturer, olive oil manufacturer and pastry-making mould manufacturer

• French to UK English poetic voice-over translation for a champagne brand's agroecology programme

• French to UK English translation of website content on the history of an international wine organisation
• German to UK English translation of a report on the post-COVID spirits industry

• UK English editing of dessert recipes written by a non-native speaker of English

I’m writing as I had the pleasure of carrying out the quality check on your translation today and wanted to say that I thought you did a lovely job 😊

It’s often a struggle to find someone who translates menus and recipes well, so I’m very pleased that [we] assigned you! The terminology you chose was appropriate, you asked relevant questions, I could see you had done your research, and you followed the special instructions to the letter.

Sustainable beauty, fashion and textiles

Websites, social media posts, e-learning material, brochures, magazines, product information

Translating your content into English is the most effective way to build trust with your English-speaking customers and grow your brand. Research shows that 76% of online shoppers prefer to buy products with information in their native language*. As a sustainable or luxury brand, you want to work with a translator who appreciates excellent craftsmanship and shares your values of protecting our planet through clean, natural ingredients and materials. I work meticulously to get to know your brand and reflect your writing style and tone of voice in UK or US English, while adhering to glossaries to ensure product names and concepts are consistent across all media.

Selected projects

• German to UK English website content, blog articles, product descriptions, brochures, aesthetician training materials, official communications and Instagram posts for a natural skin care and hair care brand
• German to US English subtitles about the recycled clothing collection of an outdoor wear company
• French to UK English subtitles for a sustainable bed linen company
• French to UK English subtitles and newsletter translations for an environmentally friendly textile flooring creator
• French to UK English subtitles for a mentoring and education programme led by a luxury fashion house, helping build self-confidence among women
• French to UK English subtitling of a press conference for a luxury watch manufacturer

*Source: CSA Research, 2020.

Design, furniture and architecture

Websites, social media posts, case studies, e-learning material, brochures, magazines, trade fair materials, product information

As an interior design, furniture or architecture company, your products and services make the world a more beautiful place—and they deserve equally beautiful translations. I understand you need precision, creativity and style to communicate what you offer as eloquently and accurately as possible. I get to know your offering and brand voice to showcase your craft to an English-speaking audience, always following your glossary and style guide for consistent product names, materials, colourways and concepts.

Selected projects

• French to US English subtitles for a maker of precious jewellery boxes
• French to UK English translations for a wood transformation company with a focus on interior design, furniture making and landscaping
• French to UK English subtitle QC for e-learning videos on design trends and styles
• German to UK English translations for a design-focused kitchen manufacturer
• German to UK English proofreading for a sustainable parasol and garden furniture company
• German to UK English subtitling of Bungalow, a documentary about the history and cultural significance of West-German bungalows

Hi Rachel,

I just took a look at all the comments you made to the [XXX] project.

Just wanted to let you know that this is really why I contacted you for this project! 😊

Thanks again for the good work!

Art, music, theatre and culture

Publicity videos, audio tours, event listings, website content, communications, documentaries

Whether you're an arts organisation, theatre company, musician, gallery or artist, translating your communications and event material is vital to create an immersive, enjoyable experience for visitors and bring your work to life in English. With a background in theatre, music and performance, I appreciate the painstaking work that goes into your creations and want to help you showcase them to the world with accurate and clear translations. In the past, I've performed in several productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but these days you're more likely to catch me making a racket in a band called Katumba, which brings an energetic mix of Afro-Brazilian drumming beats and dance to the streets of Liverpool and the UK. See, we're like two creative peas in a pod!

Selected projects

• French to UK English subtitles for a circus arts, street art and theatre centre: interviews with sculptors, artists, etc.
• German to UK English subtitling of Grusel, Glaube und Genie – Gotik! an ARTE documentary about Gothic art
• French to US English subtitles for an interview with a French rapper (including song lyrics)
• French to UK English subtitling of Before the Dying of the Light, a documentary on the 1970s art scene in Morocco
• French to US English subtitling of Ursula Hanes, une expérience artistique, a documentary about the incredible sculptor Ursula Hanes

Travel and tourism

In-flight information, website content, blog articles, training material, communications

Clear communication is essential for a seamless and stress-free holiday. Whether it's an information brochure, a booking page or an in-flight magazine, you want your customers to feel valued and at ease by talking to them in their native language. I understand your English-speaking audience's cultural reference points, so your translated content remains relevant, meaningful and coherent. With professional experience in the hospitality industry at Hilton Hotels, I I can help you build strong relationships with your visitors to ensure their travel experience is a memorable one for all the right reasons.

Selected projects

• French to UK English voice-over and text translations for hospitality and house-keeping e-learning modules for an international travel and tourism operator
• German to UK English translations of tourist brochures and website content for a German county about historic monuments and local hiking routes