About Me
Learn more about my education, qualifications and achievements

“Translation is not a matter of words only: It is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture.”
Anthony Burgess
Little did I know when graduating from university with a degree in International Law and Foreign Languages, that instead of becoming a lawyer and acting on behalf of people, I would turn into an interpreter and literally become their voice. And I would love it.
Little did I know when arriving to Ireland in 2001, that English I learnt during a year spent in Indiana, USA, as an exchange student, would not even be enough to understand simple directions given to me in county Mayo. And I would later fall in love with the Irish accent.
Little did I know that my love for writing would give me endless inspiration for collaboration with authors representing different cultures. And how many fascinating encounters, adventures and discoveries would be made in the simple role of a translator, connecting people from different parts of the globe.
Life always knows better…
My Clients
Achievements

2019
Joined the Certified Institute of Linguists (CIOL), UK

2018
Joined the Portuguese Association of Translators and Interpreters (APTRAD)

2006
Opened a translation agency in Dublin, Ireland

2006
Joined the Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association (ITIA)
days spent in the interpreter’s booth
birth certificates translated
cups of coffee drunk at conferences
Work Experience

CURRENTLY
I work as a certified translator of English<>Russian and a conference interpreter directly with clients or through translation agencies in Europe, Ireland, UK and remotely

2016 – 2018
Volunteer-coordinator of a translation department in Monte Sahaja, Portugal. My duties included selecting and training of the volunteers, organization of glossaries, management of translation projects (including books and subtitling), coordinating the work of the teams at events. We had teams of translators and interpreters in more than 12 languages.

2006–2016
Owner of the translation agency: Instant Translation at 99 Upper George’s St., Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland. My duties included managing translation and interpreting projects, maintaining the database of translators and interpreters, performing certified translations

2008-2009
Part time teacher at Dublin City University, Ireland
Teaching practical modules on consecutive interpretation within the Community Interpreting course

2006-2007
Teacher of English at Dorset College, 66 Dorset St. Lwr., Dublin, Ireland

2005
Secretary at Conor O’Briain Solicitors, 16 North King St., Dublin 7, Ireland

2002-2004
Freelance journalist at Nasha Gazeta, O’Connell St. Lwr., Dublin 1, Ireland

2001-2005
Freelance translator and interpreter working in Ireland through agencies at the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, Reception and Integration Agency, courts, hospitals, immigration bureau / GNIB, police / Garda Síochána and other organizations

2000
Stand assistant with knowledge of English and German at the world exhibition EXPO, Hannover, Germany under a contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus
Education & Qualifications

2020
Completed an online advanced training course Remote Interpreting Retraining at Proz.com

2010 - 2011
Completed a Certified Localization Professional course at the Institute of Localization Professionals, 11/12 Warrington Place, Dublin 2

2003-2005
Preparatory course FE1 for Law Society of Ireland at Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8

1996-2001
Obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in International Law and Foreign Languages (English and German) by the Belarusian State University, Minsk

1995-1996
Graduated with honours from Noblesville High School, Noblesville, Indiana, USA upon completion of the student exchange program

1995
Graduated with a silver medal from Gymnasium №195 in Minsk
What I Do When I Am Not Translating
©Tatiana Kovalenko 2020
Professional Translator of Russian and English, Conference Interpreter
“Without translation, we would be living in provinces bordering on silence.”
George Steiner
