Name: Danielle Maxson
Where you live: Hudson River Valley, New York, USA
Email: dmaxson@dmaxsontranslates.com
What you’re doing these days: Translator. I’m also slowly working my way into editing language textbooks and books written in English.
Something you’re proud of: Still being here! When I started freelancing as a translator and community interpreter, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find clients or stay in business. Thirteen years later, I’m still working.
A bit of your background: I’m a US native, and English is my first language. I started learning Spanish as a child in Texas and eventually earned a master’s degree in Spanish. In graduate school, I had the opportunity to study Portuguese and loved it. I started my professional life as a Spanish teacher and health care interpreter. Since 2009, I’ve been translating from Spanish and Portuguese into English, specializing in medical translation. Currently, I chair ATA’s Business Practices Education Committee.
How long have you been with ATA? And PLD member? I joined ATA in 2009 and joined the PLD fairly early on—I don’t remember exactly when. Maybe 2010? I earned an ATA certification for Portuguese-to-English translation in 2015.
What did the ATA membership ATA and/or the PLD bring to you? I would not have made it as a translator without ATA. I came here with just the language skills, and ATA’s resources and members taught me about the industry and how to work as a translator. All my first lessons about marketing, networking, and other business skills came from here. The PLD has been a great source of information about language and culture, and PLD members are a lovely, friendly bunch of people. I’ve developed professional relationships here with wonderful colleagues.
Current project (or last/future interesting project/activities): For several months, I’ve been translating information for a public health program that works in Mozambique. I’ve also done some interesting marketing translations for a Brazilian company. I also work from Spanish to English, and I recently helped translate songs for babies. They will be published in bilingual board books so English-speaking parents can expose their little ones to Spanish vocabulary and Latin American culture.
A major challenge(s) in your career: Like many others, I saw a severe drop in business when the Covid-19 pandemic started. Work has been coming back, but the projects I get are more varied in topic, and I’ve been building knowledge in areas outside my primary field of medicine. I’m working on adding editing and proofreading to my services to protect myself from that kind of drastic change in the future.
Do you have a hobby? I enjoy knitting because it’s calming and meditative. It gives me something to do when I’m watching or listening to TV, webinars, etc., and I can make things that will keep people warm and comfortable. I also started karate lessons recently. Four of my children are black belts, and I’ve been watching their classes for years. Now I’m a student alongside one of them.
What is your favorite book in Portuguese Language literature? This is an area I need to work on. My education focused on the Portuguese language and conversational skills, so I didn’t get much exposure to literature. I’m trying to make up for that on my own, but I don’t have a good background in the classics. I’ve started with more contemporary novels, and since I like to read fantasy, I’ve started reading Caçadores de Bruxas by Raphael Draccon. I’m enjoying it, and since it’s the first book in a trilogy, I have more reading to look forward to.
Currently on your reading list: Everything! I can’t read just one book at a time, so I always have several books started and pick up whatever is closest when I want to read. I enjoy fantasy, science fiction, cozy mystery, historical fiction, and just about anything that isn’t overly violent or gory.
Thank you.
We really appreciate the opportunity to learn a little more about you.
Leave a Reply