Some background info about yours truly and a short overview of areas of expertise:

I am a fully qualified translator and interpreter for English and German, specialising in engineering and technology (Four-year study course leading to Bavarian state examination as “Staatlich geprüfter Übersetzer und Dolmetscher für Englisch und Deutsch, Fachrichtung Technik).

Prior to my language studies I worked as a draftsman/designer in the design offices of a large German bearings manufacturer (INA Nadellager, Schaeffler OHG) where I also completed four years' training as toolmaker/engine fitter (Maschinenschlosser) with IHK (German chamber of trade and industry) diploma.

During this time my proficiency in and fondness of the English language was noted, and I began to specialise in the preparation of technical specifications, design and manufacturing drawings to DIN and overseas civil and military standards applicable in the USA, UK, Canada and other international markets.

Following the completion of my national service in the field artillery, where I was trained as a surveyor, I decided to build on my vocational and language skills and enrolled at the Institute for Foreign Languages and Overseas Studies in Erlangen, Bavaria, where I first studied for the exam for English foreign language correspondents with French as second language, which then enabled me to continue on to study for the Bavarian State exam for translators and interpreters with English as first and Italian as second language.

Immediately after graduating as translator/interpreter in 1985 I was hired by a leading British computer and software supplier (ICL-Fujitsu) where I initially worked on the translation of a very large computer-based manufacturing control system. Over the years I received extensive training in a variety of programming languages and operating environments (VME, Unix, Ingres, MS Windows, etc.) and worked as Lead Systems Engineer in Germany and the UK.

Following the transfer of business to a different company in 1999 I resigned from my position and have since been working full-time as technical translator and interpreter. I have worked on the localisation of numerous web sites, computer, communications and telephone systems as well as the translation of technical, marketing, legal, general texts and, so far, only one love letter.