MC Linguistic Services

Precise language solutions for Spanish, Portuguese & English content

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Services

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Translation

Precise, quality translation covering a variety of subject matters from technical and medical to marketing and generic.

Face-to-face interpreting

Consecutive interpreting for business meetings and small events; community interpreting for PSI sessions.

Remote interpreting

Via 2-point or 3-point telephone and video calls, I can provide instant, high quality, and efficient interpreting at any time and for clients in any location.

Voice over

Voice over recordings to narrate internal projects. I use the same high-quality, state of the art headset for this activity as I do with remote interpreting.

Subtitling

Writing and hardcoding/softcoding subtitles to videos using Aegisub.

Proofreading

While all translation I produce are checked and reviewed by myself before delivery, I can also offer standalone proofreading of both pre-translated and original texts.

Testimonials

Matthew is always disposed to help with any kind of project. He is a professional and hard-working translator and we will collaborate without any doubt."

iDISCTranslation agency

Your message, taken seriously.

An organised, analytical, and detailed approach to eliminating your language barriers.

About

Matthew Cocks, BA, MA

My name is Matthew, and I'm a freelance translator and interpreter operating under the trading name MC Linguistic Services. Through a degree in Spanish with Portuguese at the University of Southampton, and a Masters of Translation and Interpreting at the University of Surrey, I have been trained in consecutive, dialogue, and remote interpreting, as well as translation.

No matter the environment I find myself in, I always maintain an analytical approach to my surroundings and stimuli. Not only is this an integral part of my personality, but also the focal factor in my constant search for methods, strategies, and solutions that I can carefully apply to your needs as my client. Being alert, focused, and attentively magnetized to the crucial details of your message and intention is my defining priority.

For a digital copy of my CV, please send me a message.
About About

Assets & qualifications

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University of Surrey

Course: MA Translation and Interpreting
Duration: 2017-2018
Involving the study of: Translation and interpreting skills with modules on technology, commercial use, technical vocabulary, theory, and ethics.

University of Southampton

Course: BA (Hons) Spanish - With accelerated Portuguese
Duration: 2013-2017
Involving the study of: Spanish & Portuguese language with diverse regional variation, linguistics, Ibero-Latino culture and history, and language politics


SHIFT in Orality Remote Interpreting course (June 2018), University of Bologna, Forli Campus, Italy

From the 11th to the 16th of June, 2018, I took part in an exclusive international research project whereby I engaged in intensive remote interpreting classes aiming at covering all aspects of this type of communication.

The project, named SHIFT, or SHaping the Interpreters of the Future and of Today, was funded by the European Union Erasmus Programme in collaboration with several European universities. Working with fellow professionals, tutors, and students from University of Bologna, University of Surrey, University of Granada, and University Pablo de Olavide (Seville), as well as staff from Dualia telephone interpreting and Veasyt video interpreting, several hyper-realistic scenarios were simulated to give interpreting an authentic environment to develop their skills in. I was awarded a certificate of attendance.

For more information, click here.

Instituto Cevantes certified Spanish C1 (2014), Fundación de la Lengua Española, Valladolid, Spain

Two-week intensive course carried out in Valladolid, Spain. The course curriculum was linked with the Instituto Cervantes and involved accent training, grammar studies, and presentation skills. Received C1 qualification upon finishing the course. Since this award I have reached a C2 (close to native) level in my studies.

First prize for best Professional Engagement Portfolio (PEP) - Centre for Translation Studies, University of Surrey (August 2018)

Awarded for producing a website that represents my professional development in its entirety.

Croucher Award (Educational grant) - Croucher Foundation via Barton Peveril Sixth Form College (2014)

Awarded via Barton Peveril Sixth Form College whilst I was in attendance at the University of Southampton in order to further pursue Hispanic studies.
SDL Trados Studio 2019

SDL Trados Studio is a CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) tool used by many translators that manages phrases and terminology translated in previous projects. The software is highly beneficial in the areas of terminology consistency and maintaining source text formatting. I possess an indefinite licence to use this software and its associated MultiTerm plugin.

MemoQ

I have used MemoQ, another highly useful CAT tool, for several projects, both large and small, and consider myself to be proficient in its usage.

Client-proprietary software

I can also work with your own software or browser-based platform.
Student Affiliate of CIOL, London, United Kingdom

I am a registered member and Student Affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, an organisation that certifies and supports qualified members of the translation and interpreting profession.

Student member of ITI

I am a registered student member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.
New languages

As a linguistically minded person, I find learning languages to be one of my favourite activities.
Currently, I am in the process of studying Turkish, with the hope of nurturing and developing this to a high level for use in my profession.

Incorporating simultaneous interpreting into my skillset

While one of the primary focuses of my Masters programme is to study consecutive interpreting, I recognise the need in the market for flexible interpreters who can be relied upon to perform professionally and competently in both this mode and in simultaneous. Therefore, I have taken it on myself to gather experience in this are, via practice such as the use of booths at my university and via professional development such as seeking training courses.

Attending institutional conferences and events

Sharing knowledge and acquiring contacts is of utmost importance in any field where development is constantly ongoing, therefore I feel it is important to network with my fellow interpreters and translators, both highly experienced and new to the field. Consequently, I will endeavour to attend events in the future where this can take place, for example, conferences hosted by the Chartered Institute of Linguistics or the ITI.
Industry events

- Language Show Live London 2017
On the 14th of October 2017 I attended the Language Show Live in London in order to actively engage both with translation agencies and linguistic institutions. The event was a great success, with a large variety of stands offering different perspectives and services for the profession. Through this event, I signed up to be a Student Affiliate member of the Chartered Institute of Linguistics.

- “The World of the Voice-over” and “The World of a Professional Tour Guide”
On the 28th of April 2018 I attended a CIOL-hosted event which explained the voice over industry (Fardous Bahbouh & Daniel Pageon) and the tour guide industry (Katie Belo dos Santos) where I learnt about how to enter these sectors in terms of skills, training, and equipment needed.

CPD seminars

  • Translation quality and lexiQA by Vassilis Korkas (lexiQA)
  • Working with agencies by Allison Spangler and Jessica Truelsen (Surrey Translation Bureau)
  • Working as a freelance interpreter by Katie Belo dos Santos (Portfolio Language Services)
  • Specialising in food translation by Kari Koonin (Koonin Translations)
  • Units of meaning, corpus linguistics, and equivalence by Wolfgang Teubert and Jianzhong Pu
  • Automatic speech recognition by Dragoș Ciobanu (University of Leeds)
  • The agency game and how to keep up with technology by Evi Xydia (OnCall Interpreters)
  • Technical communications workshop by George Lewis (3di Information Solutions)
  • VAT and accounting for translation professionals by Kari Konnin (Koonin Translations)
  • Project Management by Nancy Matis

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Ethos & strategies

Any linguist knows that words barely scratch the surface when it comes to conveying a message. What truly opens the door to accurate and effective communication is the proper representation of meaning. When producing a translation or interpreting, one of the most active processes that I engage in is selecting the appropriate tone, gestures, and terminology to not only say what you say, but to mean it too.
As my client, I am here to represent you and your message. Be the task written or spoken, your exact needs are my priority. What do I mean by this? By taking me on as your translator or interpreter, you have full control over how you wish your message to be communicated: style, tone, register, vocabulary. While these are all factors I will render automatically by default, it is also entirely within my services for you to tell me how you wish to be heard or read, and I will adapt my delivery accordingly. There may be a certain set of vocabulary you wish me to use, a certain style of posturing or gestures, or simply a general attitude that represents your organization or goals.
To bridge the gap between sender and recipient isn't fully feasible without good knowledge of their cultures. Words can be exchanged to your heart's content, but if they don't resonate with the audience on the other side, their meaning is lost. What's more, many languages are divided into regional and national variants that can differ significantly in terms of acceptable words to use, and common cultural knowledge. There are many words in Spanish, for example, that if used in one country are completely acceptable as everyday language, but if used in another can be interpreted as obscenely offensive. Similarly with cultural concepts, the scope of many events, celebrations, celebrity figures, and politicians is often limited to national and sometimes regional borders. It is my job to compile a thorough awareness of these factors and be sensitive to the target audience of the task at all times.
With each given assignment, I undertake thorough research into the appropriate semantic field. From titles to tax laws, from acronyms to aeronautics; with my services, your sector becomes temporary domain. Through the use of corpora, terminological databases, multilingual dictionaries, and comparisons of parallel texts, I strive to make the intended points as clear as you intend them to be. Through this rigorous research process, it is my aim to avoid ambiguous and confusing clouds of terminology that may obstruct fluid dialogue and skew your original message.
Interpreters and translators are often considered to be communicative bridges between parties. This is entirely true, but this only entails the act of transferring source meaning to target meaning. While this act is intensive and very effective, not to mention the fundamental foundations for my field, I believe that an additional factor is missing: Being on your side.

Impartiality is crucial, I cannot and will not let any aspect of my personal beliefs or experience influence the message that any party in any assignment wishes to express. Separate from this, however, is knowing your intentions, getting them across to your audience, and making them known. This is where my services can aid you not just in being heard, but in changing the status quo. This doesn't just come in the form of using the correct words either, but also, in interpreting sessions, it may often be necessary for me to actively provide explanations, clarifications, and helpful pointers. Extra-dialogal waypoints such as these, as well as their appropriate use, can often be a well-needed catalyst for encouraging and maintaining clear, comprehensible, and fluid communication.
When using my services, I guarantee that whatever task is required will be delivered with utmost professionalism and respect. This applies both to my physical presence in interpreting sessions, in which you can expect my presentation to reflect both the surroundings and the standards you wish to convey, and to distance work, in which you can expect clear and punctual communication with me via email or telephone. As someone who understands the importance of efficiency and a respectful image, I put great emphasis on providing a high quality service for you at all times, from start to finish.

Fidelity, awareness, and analysis.

Three core ideals to ensure the quality you expect.

As a professional linguist, I consider myself duty-bound to maintain and convey your original message, be aware of your needs as a client, and analyse the situation at hand in great detail. Each of these three aspects must be respected to the highest degree, and in doing so, the resulting rendition is one that truly facilities the communication of your ideas.

CPD Timeline

For information on attended CPD seminars, please see Assets & Qualifications.

Began studying at the University of Southampton

In October 2013, I took my first steps into studying one of my main passions, Spanish, at a high level (BA). Within this undergraduate course, I also began learning both Brazilian and European Portuguese on an accelerated plan, lasting all four years.

Oct 01, 2013

Embarked on year abroad in Spain

In my third year of university, I ventured out to live, work, and study in Valladolid, Spain. During the ten months I spent there I worked as an English teacher at a URBE Innovación Educativa, carried out extensive research and finished my year abroad project on globalisation, and rapidly expanded my use of Spanish with my host family.

Sep 26, 2015

Graduated from the University of Southampton

After four years of study, I graduated from my hometown university with First Class Honours.

Jul 19, 2017

Started Masters at the University of Surrey

Shortly after graduating from my undergraduate studies, I began studying an MA in Translation and Interpreting at the University of Surrey to pursue my goal of becoming a professionally trained translator and interpreter.

Oct 02, 2017

Attended “The World of the Voice-over” and “The World of a Professional Tour Guide”

Apr 28, 2018

Attended Language Show Live London 2017

Oct 14, 2017

Attended and spoke at Languages Careers Fair

Language-orientated careers fair at the University of Surrey.

May 02, 2018

Began studying Turkish

Feb 21, 2018

Participated in SHIFT in Orality Summer School

A week-long intensive course in video and telephone interpreting in Forli, Italy, as part of an EU-funded investigation into teaching methods for remote interpreting.

Jun 11, 2018

My Voice

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Contact

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  • Southampton, UK

SHIFT in Orality Project

11-16 June 2018

It was a pleasure to take part in the SHIFT (Shaping Interpreters of the Future and of Today) remote interpreting training project at the University of Bologna's satellite campus in Forli. During the duration of the project, intensive classes were given by a team of international tutors, researchers, and interpreting company staff (Dualia and Veasyt). Read more at https://www.shiftinorality.eu/en

Blog

Artisan donuts - Is 'artisan' the new 'luxury'?

The word 'luxury' is one that has long caught my attention, mainly because it is so widespread. Nowadays this term doesn't quite catch my eye as it used to, partly because of a new term in town that has me excited for its potential uses: 'artisan'.

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Careers talk on MA Translation and Interpreting at Surrey

A recording of my section of the talk explaining the different pathways that can be taken when studying translation or interpreting at the University of Surrey. The course I am currently studying is MA Translation and Interpreting, and this clip features my speech explaining how this pathway prepares students to be professional linguists. In the audience were both language companies and fellow students.

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SHIFT in Orality Summer School

Article under construction

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