Translation + Inspiration

Do your German texts need to reach an international audience?

Let’s talk about how I can help you take your words to the world.

Some styles of German handwriting, especially those pre-dating the mid-20th century, can be extremely difficult for the untrained eye to read. I have experience of reading manuscripts gained through my academic research and offer manuscript transcription, carried out either as a standalone service – when I provide you with a electronic file of the untranslated content – or as a precursor to translating the content for you.

Read more about my qualifications and experience here or click here for details of my prices.

How I can help you.

Medical translation

Quality is your main concern and I understand why: there is no room for error or misunderstanding in medical texts. When it comes to the translation of those texts, I bring a relentless concentration on accuracy and a commitment to ensuring that your 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

You know that the flow of the text is important as is finding the right tone to appeal to your audience, whether academic or the general public. At the same time, any specialist terms must 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. Some examples of the texts I’ve translated are:

Magazine articles on Austrian history and culture
Classical music festival programmes
Gallery exhibition catalogue texts
Author biographies for online cultural archive
Chapter in Tiroler Künstler/Tyrolean Artists

I also translate more general content, provide UK and US English editing and proofreading services, and transcribe handwritten German texts from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, making old documents legible once more.

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 2016, drawing on previous experience in academia and work for the UK Department of Health

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 1^st class honours degree in French and German

Excellent standards: I’m a full member of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters and an Associate of 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

About me.

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 e-mail 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