Kelly (zaogao)
ID Verified
About 8 years ago
Female
Italy
English (Native)
Italian
Japanese
Chinese (Simplified)
Arts
Computer Software
Food/Recipe/Menu
Science
Contracts
Medical
Contact Freelancer
Greetings from beautiful Sicily! Born in the US, I have spent most of my adult life in the UK, reading and studying, and growing organic vegetables and rearing livestock, before moving to Italy 4 years ago. I have lived on four continents, and have worked as a chef, a computer systems administrator, a tutor in a variety of subjects (and a variety of languages), and a swimming teacher (in English, Chinese and Italian), among other things. I never shy away from trying new things, especially if they seem intriguing or challenging. In fact, the more challenging, the better! I have one published book (so far!), and am currently working on a second — an Italian-language learning book for English speakers (the book I wished I had when I started learning Italian, complete with manga-style drawings).
My love of language and communication and my extremely varied life experience give me a passion for enabling a large variety of projects and ideas to be shared across the globe, and across cultures. I have a strong work ethic, and will always do my very best to convey your ideas as perfectly and as sensitively as possible. One of the things I like best about translation is the feeling that I am doing something to foster understanding and cooperation between people, and to make the world a happier, and hopefully more tolerant, place!
In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, pottery-making, painting and drawing, writing, cooking, practicing martial arts, and watching movies and anime. I also enjoy relaxing with my boyfriend, dog, and cat, and entertaining friends.
History of Residence
| Term | Country | State | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013/10 - | Italy | Siracusa, Sicilia | Avola |
| 1999/1 - 1999/11 | India | Tamil Nadu | Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) |
| 1996/9 - 2013/10 | United Kingdom | England and Scotland | London, Glasgow, and North Yorkshire |
Specialties
| Language Pair | Area of Specialty | Experience | Description | Example Translations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English → English | Food/Recipe/Menu | 25–50 years | My interest in cooking started before I could speak, watching Julia Child on PBS. By 8, I had discovered my mother’s Time-Life “Foods of the World” cookbooks, captivated by the traditions, variety, color and flair I could see in the places and foods detailed there. Spices I’d never heard of, delicacies and frilly cakes, elegant presentations and home foods that arose out of plenty —or need. By the time I was 19, I was a trained chef and patisserie running a cafe with 120 seats, almost always full for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I left restauranting to travel (and write my first novel), and soaked up cuisines and cultural nuances, regional specialities and techniques. My love of history and my passion for cooking has inspired me to seek connections in people and cultures from across the world through their cuisine. My interest in farming arose from this, as well. The thrill (and challenge) of bringing seasonal food from field to table continues to enthrall me. At home, I cook Sicilian, Japanese, Indian, Tamil, Chinese, Middle Eastern (with an Egyptian accent), French, Thai, Mexican, and “fusion” dishes, according to our whims, and the ingredients available. I never buy bread or pre-made sauces, condiments, etc. I have a keen interest (and quite a lot of practice) in traditional food preservation techniques from around the world. This winter, I shall be helping my wonderful friend (and amazing chef) Pina to collect together a cookbook of her traditional (and not-so-traditional) recipes, in English and Sicilian dialect. I also harbor a secret ambition to introduce (and popularize) takoyaki here in Sicily! I am happy to write, check, test and evaluate, edit or compile recipes from any cuisine in English and Italian. I can translate recipes from Chinese (simplified or traditional), Japanese, Italian, or Tamil into English. I enjoy reading (and writing) articles in English or Italian about cuisines (regional, national and special-diets), techniques, “food remedies”, herbs , ayurveda and natural cures, as well as eating-centered travel pieces or food history articles. I am particularly well-versed in Japanese, Chinese, Thai and South Indian cuisines, and in French and Italian cooking. |
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| English → English | Science | 20–25 years | My passion for science began with a wonder of the world, and grew with application of the scientific method in school, and then in everyday life. Natural science fascinates me — seismology, geomorphology, meteorology, biology, physiology and nutrition (in plants, animals and humans), astronomy and astrophysics, classical physics and quantum physics (thanks, in large part to Richard Feynman, a hero of mine), and agriculture. Logic, mathematics and philosophy (from Plato to Kant and beyond) have also helped to sharpen my mind into the kind of dispassionate sword needed to approach real scientific study. I have also studied Jungian psychology with great interest, and to great depth. Of the 4,000 or so books in my personal library which I have read, I’d say that at least half are scientific in nature. I’m also deeply interested and well informed about TCM, sports nutrition (from my triathlon days), and developments in biotechnology and bioengineering. My acquaintance with veterinary science began some 20 years ago, when the remoteness of my farm from “civilization” prompted me to study the regular (exceptional, and emergency) care, feeding, breeding and treatment of animals, birds, and bees. My computer science skills are detailed elsewhere. I have a good working knowledge of organic chemistry, with particular regard to plant life cycles and growth, and the chemistry of nutrition in mammals (including humans), birds, and insect life. I sometimes despair at what passes for science in modern “popular scientific” articles, because I take issue with oversimplification at the expense of a coherent and well-informed synthetic knowledge. Science is an amazing human construct, and a tool, if well-used, that can open worlds of wonder to minds and hearts alike. I would be more than happy to write or edit scientific articles or papers in English or Italian, and to translate scientific literature in any discipline from Japanese, Chinese (simplified or traditional), Italian, or Tamil into English. I believe that a well-informed translator can render documents most sensitively, and I am always keen to do any research needed to render my work into clear, intelligible, and precise language. I would also jump at the opportunity to write intelligent and informed “popular” scientific articles for newspapers, magazines, web content, news apps, etc. |
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| English → English | Contracts | 15–20 years | Undertaking of Contract and Contract-Related Work within Conyac WHEREAS the undersigned (hereinafter referred to as “I”) affirms knowledge, direct personal experience and interest in a variety of contract, deed, and assignment types in the USA, the UK (England), and Italy, I should be happy to undertake any and all contract, deed, assignment, or other legal document work for the Client (hereinafter referred to as “you”) with utmost care and due diligence as per requirement and specification, including (but not limited to) writing, editing, checking and localization (translation) of the same. Therefore, should you require any writing, editing, checking or translation of documents pertaining to transfer and conveyance of deeds of property, writing, editing or translation and/or execution of wills, transfer and assignation of intellectual property rights, participation rights, royalties, or similar, or should you require writing, editing, checking or translation of standard and/or non-standard agreements (licensing, rental of property, incorporation of trusts, etc.), FURTHERMORE, I affirm that I shall work with precision, clarity, knowledge and research (where deemed appropriate or necessary) to fulfill the express needs and wishes of the client (you) in a timely and efficient fashion to be agreed upon by both and/or all parties. I , zaogao, affirm that the above is true, to the best of my knowledge and understanding, and that the contents detailed herein shall aid in the formation and sustenance of an excellent working partnership between the client (“you”), any and all concerned parties, and myself, the writer/editor/checker/translator (delete as appropriate). I, zaogao, do further affirm that the work will be undertaken in good faith, and with every respect to privacy, non-disclosure and other, as-yet to be specified security agreements, requirements or limitations, as demanded by the nature of the work and the express desire of you, the client. Witness mine hand on this, the 29th day of August, 2016, zaogao |
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| English → English | Medical | 15–20 years | I have fostered a longterm interest, with independent and ongoing study of human and animal physiology in health and disease, differentiation and diagnosis of disease according to presentation of symptoms, and in the control and cure of disease through allopathic, homeopathic, TCM, complementary and alternative therapies. I enjoy keeping my knowledge and understanding of discoveries, treatments and trends in the medical field current by actively reading studies and CME content online and over the JAMA network. I have direct experience of aftercare in patients with cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction and angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic stroke, diabetes mellitus, management of urological disturbances, hip fractures, osteoporosis and osteomyelitis, cognitive impairment including dementia, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, emphysema, pleurisy, heavy metal toxicity, thyroid disorders, and cancer, as well as other common illnesses, as a primary caregiver in my family, as a hospital volunteer, and as the organizer of swim therapy sessions for infirm and older people. I have also had direct experience in working with mentally challenged, mentally ill, and substance addicted patients, as well as those with eating disorders and anger management problems. I have received first aid qualifications in the US and the UK, and hope to soon work to re-qualify here in Italy. I aim to bring clarity and understanding to any articles, papers, research, brochures or patient guidance documents I may be called to work on as a writer, editor, checker or translator. I am happy to write in English or Italian, or to translate into English or Italian from Japanese, Chinese (simplified or traditional), or Tamil. |
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| English → English | Arts | 20–25 years | Apprenticed in pottery (wheel-thrown ceramics and sculpture), printmaking (4-colour intaglio printing, silk screen), and wood finishing (lacquer, French polishing, etc.) Currently setting up a pottery studio to make artisan pottery and sculpture. Able to draw (and read) technical drawings for building projects, etc., avid painter, "crafter" and amateur embroiderer and sewer. Aspiring to be competent and develop a unique style in manga drawing. Currently honing my skills as a character and environment designer for computer games. Well versed in art and art history, with particular interest in Japanese and Chinese art, textiles, ceramics, carving, prints, calligraphy, and painting. Ukiyo-e and Sumi-e, their development and historical contexts, are of particular interest to me. I am happy to write articles in English, edit original articles, etc., written in or translated into English or Italian (from English, Italian, Simplified or Traditional Chinese, Japanese or Tamil). |
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| English → English | Computer Software | 20–25 years | I’ve worked as a systems administrator and a programmer, and have excellent knowledge of computer systems in general (Unix, Linux, Windows… DOS!), and Java, C++, C#, Pascal, FORTRAN, HTML, Occam and BASIC programming languages. Way back in the late 90’s I was part of a small team of individuals who created the Complex Numbers package that was integrated into Java (it didn’t handle complex numbers at all when it was first released!!). I’m also skilled with a variety of end-user programs (databases, spreadsheets, CAD, etc., etc.,) under Windows, Mac and Linux systems. I am currently involved in a games development project (early days) using the Unity game engine. I can help with anything from debugging to documentation, localization, promotion or support for your software products as a writer (in English or Italian) or a translator (from Japanese, Traditional or Simplified Chinese, Tamil, English or Italian) into English or Italian. |
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| English → Italian | Food/Recipe/Menu | 4 years | ||
| English → Italian | Science | 4 years | ||
| English → Italian | Medical | 4 years | ||
| Italian → English | Food/Recipe/Menu | 4 years | ||
| Italian → English | Science | 4 years | ||
| Italian → English | Contracts | 3 years | ||
| Italian → English | Medical | 4 years | ||
| Italian → English | Arts | 3 years | ||
| Japanese → English | Food/Recipe/Menu | 1 year | ||
| Japanese → English | Science | 1 year | ||
| Japanese → English | Arts | 1 year | ||
| Chinese (Simplified) → English | Food/Recipe/Menu | 5–10 years | ||
| Chinese (Simplified) → English | Science | 5–10 years | ||
| Chinese (Simplified) → English | Arts | 5–10 years |
Work History
| LEVEL & LANGUAGE PAIR |
Market Projects (Completed / In Progress) |
Standard Requests (Translation Jobs / Total Words Translated) |
Light Requests (Translation Jobs / Total Words Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Japanese ≫ Italian | 1 | 0 / 0 | 2 / 236 |
| Starter English ≫ Japanese | 1 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter Chinese (Simplified) ≫ English | 1 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter Italian ≫ English | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter English ≫ Italian | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter Italian ≫ Japanese | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter English ≫ Chinese (Simplified) | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter Chinese (Simplified) ≫ Italian | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter Italian ≫ Chinese (Simplified) | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter Chinese (Simplified) ≫ Japanese | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter Japanese ≫ Chinese (Simplified) | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
| Starter (High) Japanese ≫ English | 34 / 2 | 0 / 0 | 7 / 1289 |
Working Data
|
Working Hours last 6 months (hour / month) |
Submission Rate (submission count / order count) |
|---|---|
| 0 hour / month | 97 % (58 / 60) |