As promised in our last blog post, this month we have the opportunity to get to know our new Administrator better.
Astrid Homan was elected in October 2024 for a two-year term, together with Assistant Administrator Saskia Placke, who was featured last month.
Astrid has been a regular attendee of the ATA conference and we are grateful that she stepped up to lead the Dutch Language Division. She was interviewed by DLD Blog Coordinator Irene Stoel.
Q: How long have you been working as a translator and how did you start working in this profession in the first place?
A: I started working as a freelance translator in January of 1997. For medical reasons I needed to start working for myself, so I could set my own schedule, and this just seemed the most logical solution. I was living in Dallas at the time, and met a wonderful Dutch translator, Mies de Vries, who took me under her wings.
Q: What’s your background/education?
A: I have a BA in German and French and an MBA in International Management.
Q: What field do you specialize in?
A: Primarily and preferably medical or business. After graduate school I fell into a management position at a hospital, and for the next 16 years was working in the medical clinical software field.
Q: What are your working languages?
A: Dutch to English. Although I understand Dutch fully, so much has changed since I lived there that I am afraid my Dutch would sound archaic! If you do not live in the Netherlands, it is hard to know when to substitute an English word for a perfectly fine Dutch word (but then of course with a Dutch ending).
Q: Any subject you would love to venture out in, but haven’t had the opportunity yet?
A: I would say no but am always open to new adventures!
Q: How long have you been living in the USA & how do you keep up-to-date with the Dutch language?
A: I immigrated with my parents and siblings in 1974. My mom lives 20 minutes from me, and we speak on the phone at least once a day (in Dutch). One of my brothers also lives in St. Louis and we speak regularly. I read Dutch newspapers, watch Dutch television (BVN), read De Krant and Dutch Magazine.
Q: Why did you decide to become the Administrator of the DLD?
A: I know Dutch is not one of the ‘major’ languages but is near and dear to my heart. It is important to not only provide a way for Dutch <-> English translators and interpreters to have a resource and a community, but also to be a visible presence in the language community. Too many of us work in a vacuum, and it is important that we have contact with others in our profession.
Q: Any last thoughts?
A: I sincerely hope Saskia and I can fill the shoes of our previous administrator and assistant administrator. I look forward to speaking/emailing/zooming with many of you.
Thank you, Astrid! We enjoyed learning more about you.
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