Hello... it's me!
Ludovica Segù: How I got to Targeted Translations
Nice to meet you! I’m Ludovica and I am an Italian freelance translator.
Since I was a little girl, my passion for languages has been my ace up my sleeve, like a secret weapon that has always allowed me to put myself in the game and take on new challenges.
Although I only studied English in my school years, I graduated in Foreign Languages and Cultures and deeply nurtured my linguistic baggage. More specifically, I became proficient in Spanish and Catalan, and started learning German and French as well.
My insatiable hunger for learning new languages developed from my ambition to bring my blog posts to an international audience without taking the risk that my creative efforts were for nothing. That’s why I have always avoided machine translation.
Passion for Translation
Thus I started gaining experience in translation facing reality firsthand.
As I soon found out, the meaning of a text goes far beyond the sum of its words; translating requires a new perspective, seeing the world with different eyes.
Bearing that in mind, I pursued my studies and obtained a Master’s Degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, learning how to use corpora and other tools for language analysis.
Translation and SEO
During my work experience in a web-marketing company, I threw myself headlong into SEO. I became familiar with a new kind of content creation, without ever loosing track of the core values of quality communication: authenticity and accuracy.
How I became professional translator
Such obsessive pursuit of the most suitable words for each context made me wish to become a professional translator. For this reason, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Specialised Translation. My expertise areas are web marketing, medical – pharmaceutical, tourism industry, and legal (Contract Law).
I translate from English, Spanish and Catalan to Italian and vice versa.
Translation requires Continuing Education
Never stop learning! Continuing education courses and a lot of practise are the keys to improve my skills and industry expertise in order to guarantee quality service to my clients.
Are you curious? Find out what are these courses about here!
Achievements
I started my blog just like that. Driven by great enthusiasm and passion, I learnt from scratch any tasks I had to do to be a successful blogger.
Graphic design, web design, social media, content creation…
I just did it without any clues that my content could possibly resonate worldwide.
Between one blog post and another, I graduated in Foreign Languages at the University of Pavia.
Even though I got to learn Catalan outside the University, brought to the attention of the degree committee a cause that means a lot to me. In fact, my dissertation was about the Catalan struggle for the rights of Catalan as a symbol of national identity.
After graduating, I started teaching Spanish at the University of Pavia.
For two years, I have been a language tutor for students in the departments of Humanities and Political Science.
In addition to my classes, I held seminars as a Spanish language expert.
Meanwhile, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Linguistics at the University of Pavia specializing in Phonetics.
My dissertation investigated how opera singing techniques affects articulation of language sounds.
Rather than an unusual research topic, a brand new discipline, isn’t it?
My first job outside the academia!
I applied for the position of Back-end Manager and SEO Specialist in a Web Marketing company.
Besides providing my language services, I have improved my skills as a content creator and SEO copywriter.
Eventually, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Specialised Translation at the SSIT of Pescara, specializing in the tourism industry, medical, web marketing, and legal translation from Italian to English and Italian to Spanish.
After that, I finally started my career as a freelance, professional translator and… here I am!
When I'm out of office...
A Life at the Opera
Yes, I am an opera lover! In particular, I have a thing for great singers who really convey emotions through their voice, and put their technique at the service of interpretation. (Quite similarly to what talented translators do, don’t you agree?)
These years, I have had the privilege to listen to huge artists performing in some of the world’s most famous theatres and opera houses, such as Teatro alla Scala, Vienna State Opera, Liceu Barcelona or Salzburg Festival.
This passion of mine gave me the chance to travel a lot and keep in touch with people from different countries. That’s how I have been practising languages.
At Catalunya Ràdio
In October 2018, I was on air on Catalunya Ràdio, Catalan National Radio.
I was invited to a program called “El Suplement” on occasion of their interview with Josep Carreras. After having been labelled as one of “Carreras’ miracles”, I talked about my blog about him and explained how such a task led me to learn Catalan language, and defend Catalan culture and values.
You can listen to it HERE!
Feel like... travelling!
These passions of mine made me get on a plane for the first time.
From that day on, I always dream about having a packed suitcase under my bed to be off to see the world and experience new realities and lifestyles.
Whether they are dreamy landscapes or open-air museums, they fill me with childlike wonder.
I really can’t wait to be able to feel this magic again, as regularly and lightheartedly as before.
José Carreras' Opera Singing Masterclass
For academic purposes, I took part to the José Carreras International Opera Singing Masterclass at the Conservatory of Music “G. Rossini” of Pesaro in 2017.
In fact, in my MA dissertation I wanted to investigate how opera singing techniques affect articulation of sounds in Italian.
During the course, it was my honour to interview Maestro Carreras to examine in depth a few aspects as far from the point of view of one of the major exponents of good diction in opera singing.
Boxer and IGP Training
I love dogs, with a particular fondness for Boxer’s fearless and lively temperament.
My family has had four boxers, I have had three, and I am currently a mum of two, a fawn male and a brindle female.
Though I thought I would just take a few education classes for my puppies, I started training for real dog sport, IGP.
This kind of training allowed me to achieve unique complicity with my dogs by fully enhancing their natural skills.
Both are very promising, their handler… well, she tries to do her best.
Home Green Home
As you may have guessed, green is my favourite colour, as it helps me find peace of mind and inner serenity.
Since I developed a real passion for indoor plants, my living room somehow turned into a jungle.
Even though Monstera, Philodendron, Anthurium and Ficus drive me to despair (I also have several varieties of Pothos to feel more confident in my green thumb), they keep me good company and make my workplace really special.