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 (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)