Emma Paulay

Contact details
Professional profile
Activities
Subtitling
Training/Educating
Transcreation
Translating
Language pairs
French > English
Areas of expertise
Social Sciences
Sport
Qualifications and experience

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons) International Marketing and French - University of Greenwich - 1993
  • MA Translation - distinction - University of the West of England - 2010
  • Mind Mapping instructor - certified by l'école française de l'heuristique - 2018
  • Getting Things Done instructor - certified by David Allen Company - 2020
  • Mental Training instructor - Les Nouvelles Formations
  • Volunteer running and nordic walking coach (Fédération Française de l'Athlétisme)
  • International Coaching Federation qualified business coach (2024)

Translation

Born and raised in the UK, I met my French husband during my Erasmus year and have been in France ever since. After 15 years as an account manager in newspaper circulation, based in Paris, I set up my freelance translation business in 2007 when we moved our family to Le Mans.

Over the years, my translation specialisms have evolved with my interests. I work exclusively for direct clients and prefer assignments with plenty of freedom for creativity.

In 2015, I gathered together a small team of translators to cover the needs of a key client, organiser of major motorsports events. We are their go-to team for communication in English.

In coming years, I shall be exploring the avenues of literary translation.

Training

As soon as I started freelancing, I started looking out for ways to improve my workflow and channel my energy. I found a tool — mind mapping — and a method — Getting Things Done — and both became part of my day-to-day life. Years later, when I hit that time in life when you feel you can start sharing what you've learned, I trained as a trainer in both. I enjoy passing on approaches and methods that I have tried and tested.

Coaching

Coaching seemed the logical next step from being a corporate trainer. As a coach, I use powerful questioning to help my clients unlock their agency and reach their goals.

 

Publications

I occasionally translate for online journal Philonomist (philosophy applied to today's workplace).

Continuing professional development
METMs
Workshops
Other

I attend several workshops or short courses each year. In 2024, I trained as a coach and have learned about related concepts such as neurolinguistic programming, transactional analysis and systems analysis.

I am a member of a nonviolent communication practice group.