Meet the Community: Alejandro Z.

We are starting a new series called Meet the Community, where we interview some of our partners and get to know more about them. Our Community is part of our lifeblood here at Lionbridge: Without our dedicated, hard-working partners, we wouldn’t be able to continue breaking barriers and building bridges.

Meet Alejandro Z., an English-to-Spanish translator residing in Canada who has been a member of the Lionbridge Community since 2014. Read on to find out more about Alejandro.

What do you like most about being a part of the Lionbridge Community?

I love that the teams focus on offering the best possible quality to all our clients. The review and QA process is great because it helps me to deliver world-class results and continue improving every day, and it is a good way to get recognized for doing a good job and get invited to more projects.

Also, the communication with the project managers, team leads and support staff is always great. I like to think I've made a few good e-friends here!

What advice would you give your younger self if they were just starting out in this field?

I like the way my career has evolved so far, so I'd just say, "Keep going." Oh, and I would definitely convince myself to start with some healthy practices sooner! For example, taking frequent breaks, better posture, better mouse, keyboard and monitor, etc.

Tell us about some of your hobbies and interests.

I love music and everything about it. I've been performing and producing for many years, and I'm very grateful to have this job because it gives me time to work on that as well. More recently, I've become interested in programming and game and app development. 

What is your favorite word or phrase in your native language and why is it your favorite?

It's not my native language, but I really like the English expression "Fair enough." It's so simple and meaningful at the same time. I instantly like people when they say, "Fair enough."

What is your favorite food and why?

Mexican street food. Italian homemade food. Burgers. I love food, because who doesn't? I love making food (and I like the artists' approach—no recipes, just add whatever makes it delicious). Take me for ice cream and we'll be friends. Just no seafood, please!

What country would you like to travel to and why?

Argentina is next on my bucket list. It's hard to say exactly why. I guess it feels special. I admire the way they write song lyrics. I think that I would have great conversations. And did I mention I love food?

What, in your opinion, makes your field special?

Speaking of translation, it’s a form of art. You have to take something that is very meaningful and valuable for someone and make it equally meaningful and valuable for someone who has a completely different perspective. I love that it's not just "A always means B," but it's all about understanding the original idea, becoming part of it and thinking about how to achieve the best result in a different culture. The language itself almost becomes secondary (although I also like to geek out on grammar rules once in a while—just not too often!).

What is the coolest language task you’ve participated in?

It's impossible to pick one! I am very lucky and extremely grateful because I get to participate in interesting and exciting projects every day. I am always learning and having fun, and that's why I've been doing it for so long.