We are pleased to announce the winner of our Translator of the Month action for May 2019!
This initiative is our way to way to say thank you! and recognize the efforts of the industry professionals: translators, the driving force behind every translation company’s success.
We would like you to meet José Raúl Gálvez Castro, one of our most trusted English – Spanish translators.
And here is our interview with José Raúl.
What do you start your work day with?
I always wake up around 8.00 am. The first thing I do in the morning is to have a nice cup of coffee with a toast (always olive oil, grated tomato and ham!). That’s imperative! Then I check my emails and my daily planning while I’m having my breakfast. When I’m completely prepared, I walk to my office with my loyal companion, Luna, my little Yokshire. In the office, I translate, she sleeps!
When did you realize you wanted to pursue a translation career?
From early youth, my favourite subjects were, obviously, languages. When I was studying in secondary school, my firm determination was to become a language teacher. But teaching was not my strength actually! That’s when I discovered the universe of translation. I started to read blogs, books and researches about this scope. I was definitively convinced. I went to the University of Córdoba and, with each passing year learning about translation, I was surer that the decision made was the correct. To this day, I still feel the same!
Do you have a fixed schedule for work, or do you usually finish your day when your work allows you?
As I always say, I know when I start but not when I finish… However, I always try to set a fixed working time, mostly business hours of my main clients. Thus, I ensure to reply emails quickly in order to confirm my availability for jobs. Anyway, specific projects sometimes require extra hours.
At first, I started working from home, but it didn’t work for me. For several years now, I have been working in a small office to better split my personal life from my working life. Now I have found the perfect balance!
What would be your best advice for a student who has just begun to work as a freelance translator?
Two advice: specialize in the areas you enjoy translating, and don’t accept a task which you are not comfortable with. In my opinion, the most important virtues when a translator starts as a freelance is the patience and the perseverance. The beginnings are not easy! Being patient is the key to have work opportunities and being persistent to get and consolidate a client portfolio.
What do you enjoy most about working with SeproTec?
SeproTec is a very well-organized company. It’s not my feeling, I can confirm that as a freelance and… as an intern! During my internship in Las Rozas, in 2012, I witnessed the smooth operation of a global translation company, and I was impressed. When I began as a freelance, SeproTec was one of the first companies I sent my CV and, fortunately, I became part of Seprotec’s team. I have never met project managers face to face, but they are friendly and it’s a pleasure to “e-talk” with them. Another strong point is that payments are always on time.
What is your favourite book and what are you currently reading?
I must admit that I read less than I would like due to lack of time. Nonetheless, my favourite genre is the historical novel, especially modern history (19th and 20th centuries). Recently, I finished reading The Diary of Anne Frank, due that I visited Amsterdam last March and I was impressed about her history and the city. I also spend my spare time exercising, watching TV series and learning to cook. Cooking is an excellent way to break away!
Thank you so much, José Raúl! Enjoy your SeproTec hoodie. Cooperating with you is always a pleasure 🙂
