Alex Paterson (CertTrans ACIL)

Student

Biography

Background

I’m a seasoned and dedicated linguist, and have spent the majority of my life working with and learning languages. Being brought up just outside Edinburgh, Scotland, I was raised bilingually in English and Scots. I then started learning German and French at school, and later continued my language studies into university. I’m now in my final year of a MA French and German (Hons) degree at the University of Edinburgh. I have won various awards for my language skills; studied at multiple institutions; and spent time in German and French-speaking countries.

In 2023, I started offering my services as a freelance translator and language service provider from German and French to English, specialising in IT, politics and tourism/aviation. To learn more, or to get in touch with me for a free, no-obligation discussion, visit my website: alexpaterson.scot

Qualifications

  • Certificate in Translation (CertTrans) from the Chartered Institute of Linguists for translation from German to English, scoring a merit and distinction between the two papers.

Responsibilities & affiliations

Currently one of the Chief Editors for the French section of the University's DELC magazine, Babble

Research summary

I'm currently researching for a dissertation on disability in 20th century Germany.

Past project grants

Grant from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service) to spend a month studying at the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin in 2019

Invited speaker

  • Various BABBLE magazine launches since 2019
  • Yearly outreach project hosted by LLC, aimed at encouraging local school pupils to choose a career in languages

Organiser

  • Helped organise and present the launch of the fourth edition of BABBLE, the student-led modern language magazine by the LLC Department at the University

Participant

  • GET-together event for German teachers within Scotland, hosted by the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität and the German Consul in Scotland, attended by the President of JG-Universität, Prof. Georg Krausch; the State Secretary of the Ministry for Education, Further Education and Culture in Rhineland-Palatinate, Dr Denis Alt; and the Minister for Europe in Scotland, Ben Macpherson MSP.

  • Recipient of the SCP Student of the Year for Modern Languages at Edinburgh College (2018)
  • Recipient of the Book Prize for ‘outstanding achievements in learning German’ awarded by the German Consulate (2018, 2019)

  • Associate of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (ACIL)
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