Translation + Inspiration

Picture of bookshelves showing range of reference books and Hannah Burdekin's DPhil thesis

Looking for an expert German to English translator? I can help!

You know that words matter. Poor writing creates a poor impression, and first impressions count. So when you need your German texts to connect with an English-speaking audience, you want a translator you can trust to deliver excellent work.

That’s where my business, Muse Translation, can help. I am an experienced, reliable and responsive German to English translator and I specialise in translating medical and cultural/historical texts.

The result? It goes without saying that my translations are accurate and thoroughly researched – but they also capture the nuances of the original and do not read like translated text. Clients around the world trust me to deliver high quality work. So can you, because your words matter to me too.

Let’s talk!
Excerpt of article from magazine, showing printed text and including 'Translated by Hannah Burdekin'

How I can help you

Medical translation

There is no room for error or misunderstanding in medical texts. When it comes to their translation, I bring a relentless concentration on accuracy and a commitment to ensuring that the content reads well. Here’s a sample of the translations I provide for Contract Research Organisations, Language Service Providers, insurance companies and others:

  • Journal articles
  • Clinical trial correspondence (e.g. national regulators, ethics committees, sponsors)
  • Hospital websites
  • Medical letters (e.g. discharge summaries, referrals, surgical reports)
  • Serious adverse event reports
  • Patient information materials (e.g. clinical trial information, informed consent forms)
  • Chapters in textbook on cranial osteopathy

Historical and cultural translation, handwritten document translation

Selection of letters in German with various styles of handwriting

The flow of a text is as important as finding the right tone to appeal to the audience, whoever that may be. At the same time, any specialist terms need to be accurately translated. With my academic background, it’s no surprise that I have a passion for translating texts relating to European history and culture. I also work with handwritten German texts from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, making old documents legible once more. Some examples of the texts I’ve translated are:

I also translate more general content and provide editing and proofreading services working with British, United States and New Zealand varieties of English.

Click here to see examples of my work

Why work with me?

Quite simply, because I am dedicated to excellence.

Excellent experience: I’ve been a full-time translator since 2017, drawing on previous experience in academia and work for the UK government at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Excellent style: I’m a published writer, with style perfected through drafting my own work and editing that of others.

Excellent qualifications: I have a Diploma in Translation awarded with distinction, a Masters and a DPhil in German literature from the University of Oxford and a 1st class honours degree in French and German.

Excellent standards: I’m a full member of both the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters and the UK Institute of Translation and Interpreting.

All backed by

Excellent results: I have an uncompromising focus on quality leading to satisfied clients and repeat business.

Recommendations

I’m delighted that so many clients are happy to recommend me and my work. Here are some of the nice things that people have said about me:

What a wonderful translation! Perfect for our publication. Many thanks!

– Professor Emeritus James Bade, University of Auckland

Thank you very much for the excellent translation; it’s wonderful.

– Susanne Costa, Übersetzungen Tirol

Thank you very much for this perfect job!

– Karin H, Text & Co. Fachübersetzungen

Thank you for this very tidy transcript. I’m so excited to read it.

– Georgina White, author and researcher

I just thought I’d pass on the very positive feedback I got from the person needing the clinical study translations; he was very impressed with the quality of the translations and he found that in particular the long legal document was very skilfully rendered (and he used to be a professor at the University of Leicester so his English is very, very good).

– Sonia R, project manager, specialist life sciences translation agency

We can’t thank you enough for your work and would be very happy to recommend your services to anyone needing a translation from German into English.

– Clarence River Historical Society, Grafton, Australia

About me

Picture of Hannah Burdekin smiling

I’m Hannah Burdekin. I’ve been a full-time translator since 2016 but my interest in language and words stretches back to my childhood. Having tried to teach myself German from a Berlitz phrasebook when I was eight (unsuccessfully!), I started studying French and German at secondary school and went on to complete a BA in the same languages, and a Masters and a Doctorate in German literature at the University of Oxford. I then spent ten years working for the UK government Department of Health, where I produced ministerial briefings and speeches and contributed to governmental consultations and reports.

But my love for German in particular never went away and after moving to New Zealand in 2011 I spent some years working as a Tutor in German at the University of Auckland. I now combine my background in languages with the skills in research and writing gained from my time in academia and the Civil Service.

Get in touch!

The best way to find out more about any of the services I provide and how I could help you is to get in touch with me via email or using this contact form. I’ll respond to your message as quickly as possible. And if I’m unable to help you, I will happily recommend a trusted colleague who can.

My time zone is UST +13. Please note that I am 10–12 hours ahead of Central European Time and 11–13 hours ahead of the UK.

Email me: hannah @ musetranslation.com

WhatsApp: +64 (0)21 02511445

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