Géraldine Oudin

I have been working as a full-time translator from Japanese and English to French since 2008.

From an early age, my childhood reveries were filled with faraway places. Even then, I knew that if I ever wanted to explore these countries for myself, I would need to learn their languages. And so, I studied Japanese and Anthropology; I picked up bits of Mandarin, Hindi, Mongolian, and Tibetan before my path lead to translation.

In 2013, I was awarded a place on the prestigious “Fabrique des traducteurs” programme at the CITL, France’s college of literary translators. Over the course of the programme, I honed my translation practice under the guidance of experienced tutors.

Since then, I have primarily worked with publishers, translating fiction and non-fiction books. I bring manga and graphic novels to new audiences, and help museums and galleries tell stories through their exhibition catalogues.

Passionate about botany, I find happiness in tending a small allotment in a wine producing region. As I pace back and forth on the unforgiving yet generous clay soil, I often unearth the words I’ve been searching for, right between two rows of carrots, black salsify, and amaranth.


Education:
MA in translation studies (Portsmouth University)
MA in social science, whith a focus on anthropology of Japan (EHESS/Tokyo University)
BA in Japanese language, literature and culture (Strasbourg University/Waseda University)

Professional training:
Ecole de traduction littéraire (Asfored)
La Fabrique des traducteurs (Collège international des traducteurs littéraires)
Certificate in Liaison Interpreting (TAFE)

And…
Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture (Royal Horticultural Society)