Cross-cultural clarity for global impact
Make your English language communications the best they can be.
My services
What I do
Since 2004, I’ve been helping global change-makers communicate complex ideas across cultures.
I edit and translate non‑fiction for international development, education and food sector organisations.
I turn working drafts into clear, consistent, culturally aware English that lands with your audience and preserves your voice.
More about me
English translation and transcreation
English that just feels right.
Culturally intelligent, idiomatic translations, transcreation and revisions from French, Spanish and Portuguese into English.
Transform your written materials from French, Spanish or Portuguese into clear and compelling English, reach a wider audience, and turbocharge your impact.
Because I only work within a few specialist areas, I have the knowledge that ensures the terminology is right for your field.
I can tailor my services to what you need: translation for one project, writing a summary (précis writing) or adaptation for another, or possibly a combination of both.
Translations
Summaries
Transcreation
Non-fiction editing and proofreading
Editing is not just about correcting 'mistakes', it’s about making communications just right for your readership.
I refine structure and flow, clarify arguments, tighten sentences, resolve inconsistencies, and correct grammar and punctuation.
I check for accuracy, tidy references and bibliographies, and create or update a style guide so future work stays consistent. Accessibility and bias‑conscious language are baked in.
Copy-editing
Developmental editing
Rewriting
Typical projects
Impact reports that read cleanly and accurately, donor‑facing pages that compel action without jargon, policy briefs that survive close scrutiny, and web copy that sounds like you across cultures.
For example: an annual report for an NGO with tight deadlines and complex data; a set of education case studies requiring translation and editorial polish; a food systems briefing that needed a thorough terminology review and sensitivity edit.
What’s included in my English translation services?
Pitch-perfect writing in English that is free from robotic, clunky phrasing.
An English version that is adapted to English-speaking contexts without losing the impact of the original language document.
Careful research of terms and sector-specific concepts to ensure the translations are culturally appropriate.
Several rounds of drafts, tweaking and refining as I go.
What’s included in my editing and proofreading services?
Clear, compelling writing free of grammatical errors and unclear phrasing.
Unnatural sentences reworked.
Citations and bibliographies created and/or tidied up.
Fact-checking to ensure accuracy.
Producing or updating style guides for your organisation.
Several editing passes, working methodically sentence by sentence.
Included in all services:
Trust that your documents are kept safe and secure, out of the grasp of AI.
Awesome project management skills to ensure timescales are protected.
Accessible language that consciously avoids bias.
Quality assurance that roots out errors and inconsistencies, ensuring the final version is perfectly polished.
Ongoing communication via email or phone to discuss what you need so I can adapt where needed.
What my clients say
— Mónica Martí García, EJTN Training Projects Manager, Brussels
The work you have done for us has fully fulfilled our expectations in terms of efficiency and diligence.
The quality of the legal English translations of our COPEN training Modules for practitioners in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters meets high standards.
— Tobin den Blijker, Project manager, Human European Consultancy
Your language edit has improved the quality of these human rights reports a lot, thanks not only to your knowledge about the English language, but also your eye for detail, the clarification questions you leave for authors, and the way you follow style guides and additional instructions.
Besides the quality of the language edit, you're quick, easy to communicate with.
We’re really happy about your work for us, and there is nothing we would like you to change!
How it works
We discuss what you need, through a quick consultation to get to know your organisation, tone of voice and values. This is when I’ll ask you about any house style and the ‘brief’.
We establish a timescale that ensures important targets are met.
I put in the work behind the scenes, liaising with you to clarify terms, concepts and phrasing where needed.
I work methodically, using tracked changes for editing projects and multiple drafts for translation projects. Confidentiality and on-time delivery are standard.
What you get back: publish‑ready copy, a style sheet for editing projects, and clear notes explaining changes and any open questions.
Ready to move from draft to done? Contact me to see how I can help, or to book your project.
Also available:
Professional, punctual, nice to work with and good at what you do!
Director, International Correspondents in Education.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a copy-editing or translation project take?
This will depend on my availability and yours, but I can usually edit around 1,000 words per hour.
For substantive editing and rewriting, this can become more like 500 words per hour.
For proofreading, this can rise to 2,000 words per hour.
Read my blog here to understand how copy-editing is priced.
As a general guideline, I aim to translate approximately 2,000 words per working day.
Read my blog here to understand how translation is priced.
Do you also translate FROM English into French, Spanish or Portuguese?
No. In the UK, the vast majority of qualified translators translate only into their own native language. In my case, this is English. In fact, translating only into your mother tongue is a precondition of the ITI’s code of conduct. Someone who uses English as their mother tongue will stay up-to-date with subtle changes in language use, and will possess the depth of cultural knowledge needed to ensure nuance, context and connotations are all translated appropriately and sensitively.
Read my blog post about why I only translate into English here.
Why don't you display fixed fees on your website?
This is because each job will require a customised quotation according to your needs. You may simply require a summary translation or, in a copy-editing project, some degree of rewriting, for example.
To give you an idea, though, I usually charge by the hour for editing, starting from £40 per hour.
The price for a translation of 1,000 words would start at around £100.
How long will a translation project take?
This will depend on my availability, but as a general guideline I aim to translate approximately 2,000 words per working day.
Read my blog here to understand how translation is priced.
I'm not really sure which service I need. Can you advise me?
I most definitely can! Let’s discuss the purpose you want to achieve from the translation/editing/revision project, and I’ll advise you.
Please fill out my contact form here and we’ll take it from there.
Will my documents be kept confidential?
I will keep your information confidential and secure, accessed using a password-protected private computer. I will not share your documents or data with anybody else without your permission in writing.
Specialist fields
International development
Climate change and the environment, agriculture, food policy, food systems, food security and food safety, HACCP guidelines, public policy, governance, urban development, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, trade, economics, campaigns and policy, poverty, disaster emergency and relief, civil conflict, human rights, gender equality, religious oppression, ethnic minorities, community rights-based development, corruption and transparency.
Governance and public policy
White papers, HACCP guidelines, public policy, governance, urban development, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, trade, economics, campaigns and policy.
Education and training
Editorial content, blog posts, learning materials, digital content, interactive materials, language learning, modern languages, ELT materials, textbooks.
Fiction and non-fiction book translations and edits
I am also an emerging literary translator of fiction and non-fiction, with experience of translating non-fiction books on current affairs and politics. Fiction projects to date include a short story about the Valais canton in Switzerland and a short children’s book.
Luís Lázaro Matos – The Pond Skater, Kodoji Press (2021).
David Favrod – Gaijin Omoide Poroporo Hikari, Kodoji Press (2022).
Your trusted choice for human-centred English that gets results
I’m Philippa, a well-trained and credentialed linguist. I have experience of working on written materials such as feature articles, donor-facing marketing materials, press releases, websites, and annual reports.
I love working with organisations keen on making an impact, and I pledge to amplify yours.
