Luc Wyn – Translator

What this episode covers

Luc Wyn - The Belgian in Monterey!Let's extend a warm welcome to a translator,  whom I have become friends with after working together on several of my books (not that he needed any help from me :-) )What is your name?Luc WynWhere are you from, Luc?Originally from Belgium but I am now residing in Monterrey, Nuevo León, MexicoAre you a full-time translator or are you free-lance?I’m a freelance translator for Babelcube, since I have other occupations as well.My Babelcube Profile can be found at: https://www.babelcube.com/user/luc-wynWhat made you want to become a translator?I've always been fascinated by languages and, contrary to sciences, learning them comes natural to me. I guess this process had its early beginnings when I was a small boy and used to play with an Italian boy on holiday. Neither of us knew each other's language but we managed three weeks of communication by exchanging names of certain toys and objects and colours and so on. That's probably when and where 'the fuse was lit'.What languages do you translate from and into?Currently most of my translations are either from Spanish or English into my own language, which is Dutch. I do also master German and French though and have on occasion translated from those languages as well.What is your favourite language to translate?Being the language aficionado I am, I don’t really have a favourite language, as all of them have their innate specialities and all of them are interesting in one way or another. Some do present a bit more challenge as others however.What have you translated?I have translated a number of books in a number of genres, ranging from novels to books about antique tools and engravings on them. The majority consists of novels though.What made you decide for a career as translator?The profound love, or even obsession, you might say, for languages and everything connected with them that I’ve had since early childhood. I guess you might say I’ve inherited my mother’s inquisitiveness and express that through my love for languages.If you could give a beginning translator a piece of advice, what would it be?Be selective about what you accept. And be perfectionist and thorough once you've accepted it. Reread meticulously what you've translated before you hand it in or upload it.Have you ever written something of your own, and if so, in what genre?I did do some short writing when I was young. Those were experiments with short stories inspired by people like Edgar Allen Poe and the likes. Other than that I tend to get into poetry once in a (very long) while.Tea or coffee?I like both in their own way with a preference for coffee.What is your favourite foreign food?Well, although it's technically not really 'foreign food' any more as such, pizza is among the top 5 here. I also like moussaka a lot, which is a Greek dish, or the tajine and cousocus from North Africa. I'm quite partial to oriental food as well, but steer clear from anything spicy.Either, depending on the momentWine or beer or pop?Wine with food, but otherwise, beer. Never pop!Where would you like to visit?Anywhere I haven't been yet :-)Favourite musical artist. Do you listen to music when you write? What?My taste in music is very extensive and depends on the moment. While working I tend to prefer music without lyrics so I can concentrate on what I’m doing. That would mostly be either classical or soundtracks, which are a kind of classical I their own way, I think

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