Meet Laura Z., an English-to-Italian translator and Lead Linguist from Venice, Italy. She has been part of the Lionbridge Community since 2010. Read on to find out more about Laura.

How did you get into this field?

After graduating with a degree in Foreign Languages and Literature, a family friend asked if I was interested in taking a test to apply for a job as a freelance translator at a small translating agency. At that time, I wasn't clear about what I wanted to do for a living, so I accepted out of curiosity. After that, I never stopped translating!

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

The most important aspect of working for Lionbridge (in particular, being a member of the Translation Units) is the way we collaborate with each other, and this is what I enjoy the most.

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

Study more, read more, travel more and listen more!

Tell us about some of your hobbies and interests.

I like going for walks in the countryside with my partner and daughters and listening to music—rock and heavy metal are my favorite. I also love reading comics and books, especially fantasy authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Terry Brooks.

How many languages do you speak, and do you want to learn a new one?

I am a native Italian speaker and I also speak English, German and French. I would like to learn Spanish and Dutch, just to mention two...

Laura Z., an English-to-Italian translation partner for Lionbridge

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

"Dalla conoscenza il potere," which is the Italian version of "Eilt Druin," an Elven phrase taken from the Shannara books that translates to "Through knowledge, power" or "Through truth, power." Knowledge—of the world, of people, of ourselves—and truth can give us the freedom and the power to do everything we want.

What do you like most about the country you live in?

I like Italian food, Italian history and Italian art, and I love the architecture and the countryside.

What country would you like to travel to and why?

I would travel to all countries in the world because I'm curious and love meeting different people, and I enjoy finding out all I can about different cultures and places.

What, in your opinion, makes your field special?

Translating is a way of better understanding what other people think and want to say about a variety of things. It is a way of gaining more knowledge of the world.