Meet the linguist: Konstantina Drakou (@wordyrama)

Happy Friday everybody!
Yes, it's that special day of the week when I recommend a new colleague! And today I'd like to recommend Konstantina Drakou! She is one of those people whose dedication, hard work and vibrant personality make a lasting impression on everybody, including her colleagues and clients. Konstantina is in charge of Wordyrama Translations. You may follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook. In summer, Konstantina also took part in my blog series about specialisation. You can read her post here.
Here are Konstantina's replies to my questions:

1. Could you share some fun/weird facts about you that you don't normally share in your bio?

During the winter, I like to create a small working station next to my fireplace! It looks like a camping site right in the middle of my living room, very comfortable and cozy!
While translating, I cannot work in total silence. Sometimes, music does not do, so I have movies playing in the background, movies in languages I understand, of course!
I was so anxious about the translation of the first ever website I did, that the night following the day it went live, I did not sleep at all! Now, 58 websites later, I sleep like a bird!

2. What was the best project in your career?

The best project! I have written a blog post about it! It was the website of a Swedish medical clinic. The research, the terminology, the outcome! I had so much fun working on it and received praise from the client after its completion! Happy faces all around!

3. What was the worst project in your career?

Hmm, now this is a good question. I had to think about it and no project came to mind, so I think this is the answer to the question. Maybe it is yet to come!

4. What are the three things you love most about being a freelance translator?

I love the fact that specializations of a freelance translator vary. So, one day I may be translating a website, the next day I may localize a long-distance learning software! Projects are never the same! I love the freedom it gives me to work for whoever I want, whenever I want. Being a freelance translator, I am not obliged to say “yes” all the time! I love the feast period! Period!

5. Why do your clients love working with you? What's unique about Wordyrama?

I have endless and bottomless patience, if such adjectives can describe this noun! I research and research and if I am not pleased with my results I ask experts. This is the reason why I attend non-translation related conferences and workshops in my fields of expertise. I try to do my very best in everything. Wordyrama is a one-woman show. I design all my marketing material, I wrote the copy for my website; I try to do everything by myself due to financial restrictions and tight budgets. The results do show that are not products of a professional graphic designer, but they are part of who I am. Personal touches are always favored.

Dear Konstantina, thank you so much for this interview! I sincerely wish that your answer to the third question remains the same throughout your career! All the very, very best to you!

Olga Arakelyan,
Your Professional Translator

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