Music-lover Luz M. Sanchis was inspired to work with languages when, as a child, she and her dad bonded over translating classic rock and pop songs. Years later, Sanchis is now Chief Marketing Officer at Master Translations. Here, she discusses her formative experiences in the industry and what she aims to accomplish in the next 10 years.

Why do you enjoy reading MultiLingual magazine? 

I enjoy all the interviews and columns, as I feel connected to other humans with shared values and interests around the world. I particularly appreciate the tech-focused sections, as they provide up-to-date insights on the trends and latest applications of AI and CAT tools for the localization industry.

How did you get involved in the translation business?

Before getting involved in the translation business, music translation was my hobby. It was my dad who planted the translation seed deep in my heart. Growing up, he learned French in school, as learning English was unusual in 1970s Spain. However, my dad mostly listened to English-speaking artists. When I was 10 or so, at a time when my English proficiency was limited to Spice Girls Spanglish lyrics and mispronounced textbook greetings, my dad asked me to translate the lyrics of the songs he loved, because he wanted to make sure he was not singing anything silly or rude.

My hippie, melomaniac dad longed to understand what Bohemian Rhapsody was all about, or what Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Boney M., Cher, the Beatles, or ABBA sang about in their top hits. I undertook that challenge as my own. My English was terrible at the time, so my translations were insultingly nonsensical and hilarious, but that didn’t stop me. I took the challenge quite seriously, and it warmed my heart that my daddy had blind faith in my (at the time non-existent) self-taught translation skills. So, it’s fair to say that my dad and I bonded over music translation! 

Since you entered the translation industry, how has the business landscape changed?

My first translation internship back in 2015 was with a top-notch translation boutique called EQUUS Traducciones in the most gorgeous city in the world: Granada, Spain. That was almost 10 years ago, and I remember that they embraced all new technologies available to navigate the already uncertain business landscape. Most of the CAT tools used back then at EQUUS are still around today, and they even developed their own tools in-house to automatize their daily tasks. 

In my experience, EQUUS set the bar quite high when it comes to making the most of the business landscape leveraging technology. I must say that the Master Translations team are doing exactly the same today.

Could you share your experience working with your first client or on your first project?

My first serious translation project was a huge challenge for me. When I was 20 and a third-year student working on my bachelor’s degree, Textilfy trusted me to own the whole translation and localization process of their website, blog, and e-commerce platform! It was tough, yet fun and relaxed, but I would never do such a thing alone again — team work is crucial to stay sane! Still, I learned so much about fabric terminology and printing techniques, and I was glad to assist this team of Andalusian entrepreneurs reach other markets globally and bring Spanish groundbreaking visual arts abroad.

Do you believe it’s a good time to enter the translation business?

Of course. As long as a person is curious, open-minded, and eager to learn, now is always the best time to start — not only in the translation business, but anything new!

Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 10 years?

Ideally, I see myself involved in translation or interpretation projects that help society become greener, that assist migrants in their access and inclusion in their new environment, that improve animal wellbeing, and that contribute to protecting the environment. In the next 10 years, I also hope to give opportunities to people who are entering our industry, the way those opportunities and tools were given to me 10 years ago.

What predictions do you have for the future of the translation industry?

I have no crystal ball, but undoubtedly numerous new technologies and automations will be adopted, involving learning and adaptation from all of us. It is already happening! Ten years ago, I remember not being allowed to bring any electronic devices to certain translation courses at university — I am glad that’s not the case anymore!