Name: Beatriz (Bia) Baker
Where you live: Takoma Park, Maryland, just outside the District of Columbia
Email: beatriz@beatrizbaker.com
What you’re doing these days (translator/interpreter/teacher/professor): I’m a translator specializing in Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health. For the last few months, I’ve primarily worked as a contractor for the Pan-American Health Association. It’s been a great experience to work more closely with their Languages Team.
Something you’re proud of: Passing the ATA certification exam confirmed that I had made the right choice to change careers, and it opened many doors for me.
A bit of your background: I grew up in Brasília and left to study Biology in São Paulo. I went back to do a Masters in Ecology. Then I spent a year on Barro Colorado Island, in the Panama Canal, doing research on plant physiology. After that, I moved to St. Louis to start a PhD, but after finishing my degree, I realized that academia was not for me. I had already been translating and editing academic papers informally for publication in English for many years, so I decided to leverage my research skills and my passion for learning new things to become a professional translator. I did the English to Portuguese translation certificate at NYU, which gave me a solid foundation to make the transition.
How long have you been with ATA? And PLD member? I joined both the ATA and the PLD in 2016.
What did the ATA membership ATA and/or the PLD bring to you? Being an ATA member allows me to connect with many fellow translators. Every time I attend the Annual Conference (my third one was this year), I come back home feeling invigorated and inspired. I have also been contacted by quite a few people who found me through the online directory. I belong to several divisions, but the PLD is my home base and the group that brings me the greatest sense of community.
Current project (or last/future interesting project/activities): I went back to studying French after more than 25 years. It’s been exciting for me to experience learning a language in the internet era. There are so many resources and so much to read, watch, and listen to—it’s incredible! It’s a long way from borrowing cassettes from the library.
A major challenge(s) in your career: When I first started translating, I wanted to work in the Environmental area. However, I took a Medical Translation course and really enjoyed it, so I ended up going in that direction. I would love to add Environmental translation to my specialties.
Do you have a hobby? Not really… Does solving crosswords count?
What is your favorite book in Portuguese Language literature? It took me many years to get to it, but when I finally read Grande Sertão: Veredas, by João Guimarães Rosa, I really loved it. It’s the kind of book that is worth re-reading from time to time.
Currently on your reading list: I’m currently reading Behind the Scenes at the Museum, by Kate Atkinson and re-listening to the audiobook, A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. I’m also reading Petit Pays, by Gaël Faye, for my French class.
Thank you, Beatriz. We really appreciate the opportunity to learn a little more about you.
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