Jacqui Birnie, a freelancer translator from Warrington, has been awarded runner-up in the Freelance Supplier category at the Association of Translation Companies’ (ATC) 2016 Language Industry Summit Awards.
Jacqui (above left), who works at Alexika Ltd, a language service company based in Addingham in West Yorkshire, was recognised as one of only three shortlisted linguists in the Freelance Supplier of the Year category.
The winners were announced during a gala awards dinner that formed part of the ATC’s 40th anniversary conference at the QEII Conference Centre in London.
The Language Industry Summit Awards are designed to celebrate success in the sector, with nominees being recognised by the judges for their commitment to excellence.
Alexika managing director Mark Robinson said: “Jacqui is an outstanding example of a dedicated, hard-working and thoroughly professional freelance translator.
“She has been working with Alexika as a freelance translator of technical German to English for over a decade and is always willing to question the source text where there is ambiguity and discuss linguistic and quality issues openly to provide the best service.
“She embraces new technology and uses it to maintain the highest quality levels.”
Jacqui added: “I was both surprised and delighted to hear that I’d been shortlisted and then to be runner-up was the icing on the cake.
“I feel very passionately about the job that I do and the importance of the language sector in our country, and I’m very proud that my commitment has been recognised at the highest possible level by such a distinguished panel of judges.”
This year’s judging panel comprised Rudy Tirry, President of the European Union of Associations of Translation Companies, Sarah Griffin-Mason, Chair of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting, Laura Brandon, Executive Director of the Globalization and Localization Association.
Geoffrey Bowden, General Secretary for the ATC, was the non-voting chair of the judging panel.
He said: “The nominations have been assessed using robust judging criteria to recognise the broad range of talent within the industry.
“With a focus on achievement; the judging criteria put an emphasis on the story behind the individuals that give so much to the industry; what they aim to achieve and what their success gives back to the profession.
“Jacqui’s nomination certainly ticked many of the boxes for the judging panel.”
For further details on the awards please click here.
