Our working philosophy
The working core of our company is an Anglo-French scientific duo educated to doctoral level, one in organic chemistry and the other in the agronomy/agrifood sector. After each having spent many years in academic and industrial research in France and the UK, both embarked on the venture into the realm of technical translation, predominantly in patent translation.
As joint collaborators, we offer linguistic and scientific complementarity, which our clients highly appreciate.
It goes without saying that, after almost 15 years of existence, our activity has generated a huge volume of translated documents. Not only does this represent a considerable terminological database, it also means that it is highly likely that we have already dealt with the kinds of technical texts you regularly submit for translation. Engaging our services would therefore afford you a seamless move in terms of translation style, quality and technical competence – with the added benefits of an efficient streamlined service and the resulting favourable pricing.
In addition, the SDL Trados translation tool is fully integrated into our operations, enabling us to maintain consistency of style and terminology from project to project, and affording our clients valuable long-term savings on related projects.
Dr Sophie Bollecker - O'Connor
Scientific translator with more than 15 years of experience, specialized in the translation of patents within the fields of agrochemistry, pharmaceuticals, agrifood and cosmetics.
English --> French
Academic Background
- Agricultural Engineer (Rennes, France), specialization in “Food and Human Nutrition”
- MSc and PhD (University of Nantes),
“Science and Technology of Plant Productions and Agribusiness”
- Feature and Freelance Writing qualification through a correspondence course from the London School of Journalism (UK).
Professional experience
After obtaining my PhD in France in a laboratory of the INRA (Nantes), I chose to pursue my career in the United Kingdom, starting with a post-doctoral position in molecular biology (AFRC, Rothamsted Experimental Station), followed by research posts in RHM Research (High-Wycombe), Leatherhead Food RA (Leatherhead) and then at the University of Reading (Food Science Department). This career path developed both my scientific and linguistic skills, enabling me to envisage a move into the field of scientific translation, which I undertook in 2001.
Dr Norval O'Connor
Experienced translator, trained within one of the largest scientific translation agencies in Europe, and specialized in the translation of patents, and also of related litigation documents and scientific reports. Translation of synthetic organic chemistry in general, and more specifically in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, polymers, catalysts and tyres.
French/Spanish --> English
Academic Background
- Joint honours degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry (University of Salford, UK)
- PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry (“natural product synthesis“), (University of Salford, UK)
Professional experience
I furthered my research experience via post-doctoral positions in natural product synthesis (Salford University), the development of new insecticides (AFRC, Rothamsted Experimental Station, UK) and then the synthesis of phytochemical and agrochemical products (University of Angers, France). Having enhanced my linguistic skills by working within my specialist field in France, I chose to pursue a career within the sector of scientific translation, which I commenced in 1993 within a world-renowned patent translation agency. During my 8 years within that company, my additional duties as a senior scientific translator included the training of new translators and the provision of technico-linguistic expert opinions for major clients, in both French and Spanish. I transitioned into freelance translating in 2001.
My agency and freelancing experience over the last 25 years has exposed me to a huge volume of work from all the major French chemical industrials.
