Richard Ferguson: the journey so far

An unexpected start

Growing up in Durham, in the north-east of England – a place far closer to Scotland than to France, both geographically and culturally – there was little to suggest that I would end up spend my working life in foreign languages. In fact, had it not been for a change of heart and a fateful meeting, I might never have ended up where I am today. It all changed in the space of a week, when I was 16 and had just started my A-levels. A week into term, I decided economics was not for me (although I did work in finance later!) and took French instead, one of my favourite subjects from secondary school. A decision, although I didn’t know it then, that would have some very far-reaching consequences.

As I opened the classroom door for my first hour of French, I was met with a chorus of laughter! Initially confused, I then realised why there had been such a reaction. As I scanned the room, twenty or so girls looked back at me. Not one boy! Within no time at all, I was nevertheless made to feel very welcome by my fellow students and our teacher, Mr. Burton, was delighted to have another male in the class, a status that I came to enjoy too. But it was quite the start!

French connection

The rest, as they say, is history. Already captivated by the French language, my teenage self was drawn to the existential works of Sartre and Camus. I began to devour everything that French culture had to offer: novels and plays by other great French writers, contemporary and classic French films (Jean de Florette, Cyrano de Bergerac, Breathless, etc.), even French music (!) and then a year later, I left British soil for the very first time on an exchange holiday to Abbeville, northern France. An excited 17 year-old, enjoying freedom far from home, uninterrupted sunshine and new experiences: the deal was sealed, I had fallen in love with France!

I went on to read French language and literature at Sheffield University and, having got my degree (BA Hons [II:i], 1996) and acquired some initial work experience in London, I settled for good in France in 2001. After three years working for an investment bank in Paris, I studied for and passed a French and English translation certificate at the University of London Institute in Paris (BICFET).

My first steps as a professional translator

Almost immediately after passing the BICFET in 2004, I was offered a job as a translator/editor at Praetorius Global, a language services company based in the Paris region. I was quickly promoted to project manager and then later to team leader, managing around ten in-house staff members and at least the same number of service providers.

Working as the lead PM on key accounts such as Altran, Areva, Publicis Events, Renault/Renault Sport, Schneider Electric and Snecma, I developed skills not only in translation, editing and terminology management, but also in project management, cost control, planning and customer relations.

Freedom and independence!

After almost five years spent at Praetorius and having moved to Morlaix in northern Brittany, I left the company in 2009 with plans to set up my own business. After taking some time to organise everything and get some training at the local chamber of commerce, I began my journey as a freelancer in 2010. Initially with my Scottish wife Miriam, I set up espace anglais, a language services company offering French-to-English translation, revision and editing services. Miriam has since taken up work as an English teacher, meaning espace anglais is now just me.

Since then, I have added to my skills and developed my experience in a wide range of technical and commercial fields, in translation as well as in revision and editing. My excellent subject knowledge covers terminology in a variety of fields, including the automotive, motor sport, engineering, aerospace/aeronautical, construction, energy, environment, IT and telecommunications sectors.

I’ve been based in the south of Brittany, in Vannes, since moving there with my family in 2015. Having started in the translation industry back in 2004, I have now been working as a professional linguist for twenty years. I’m proud to say that I have established partnerships with a growing number of customers in Brittany, as well as with many others throughout France and beyond.