What's new?
  • February-March projects include tranlsations on South-American narrative and the Marquis de Sade
  • Recent translation projects include articles on rethinking medieval historiography and teaching narrative in French schools as well as material for prominent French museums and art galleries.
  • Yun Sun Limet has just been awarded the Adelf literary rpize for Belgian writers for her novel 1993. I am currently preparing translations of Amsterdam and The Candidates, which won the Belgian literary prize for a first novel.
  • Having moved from Spain, Susan NIcholls Translations is now a registered Australian business - in practice this will mean very little change to service or billing
  • The Seuil publishing house in Paris has given me the English-language rights for Yun Sun Limet's heart-wrenching and quietly beautiful text, Amsterdam, a story of failed ambition, lost love and music, to the tune of Jacques Brel's famous song (translated by David Bowie in his fantastic version, The Port of Amsterdam...).
  • Presentation of writer Anne Marsella's new novel The Baby of Belleville at Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris on 27 September 2010
  • Translation for a major photography exhibition in Paris
  • Translation of notes and catalogue articles for a contemporary art exhibition in Switzerland
  • Translation of exhibition materials on ethnography for a Paris museum
  • Translation from Spanish of  Barcelona luxury hotel magazine articles
  • Translation from Spanish of walking routes in the Pyrenees and Andalucia
  • Translation of the Calames writers' manifesto, Morocco
  • Translation of an article on  Mexican author Juan Rulfo for the Journal of Literary Theory
  • Translation of a history text on Anglo-Norman trade in the 13th century
  • Translation of 18th-century French history text on religious upheaval in the 4th century
  • Translation of a text for an exhibition catalogue on contemporary Spanish artist José Maria Ciria
  • Tour contract translation for an Afro-French dance company
  • Revision and correction of a philosophy article on Lacan, Zizek and Sartre
  • Translation of an academic article on 18th-century France
  • Translation of academic article on narrative voice for the  book series Narratologia
  • English version of OodysS, a new eco-ethical multiplayer adventure game for children








I offer full French-English translation services. Specialising in literary or artistic fields and academic texts in the social sciences, I also take on work in journalism, advertising or other areas where creative communication skills and precision are paramount.  All translations are provided ready for publication.

I am a former university lecturer with a doctorate in French literature from the University of Paris (1995),  specializing in French translation for books and research articles (French literature, philosophy, literary theory, linguistics, history, social sciences), grant applications, conference papers, synopses, etc..  I have thorough knowledge of French and UK academic conventions and administrative procedures, and expertise in literary and cultural studies as well as contemporary philosophy.

Dr. Susan Nicholls (maiden name Marson)
Born in Melbourne Australia, I lived and worked in France, Spain and the UK for over twenty years. I am currently located in Apollo Bay, Australia.


Please feel free to  contact me to discuss your particular project. 







Other people's words are precious objects, to be treated with care and respect.  It is not easy to trust a translator to devote as much attention to detail as the original writer, or to put as much care and pride into the final text.  I am at my happiest working on projects that require meticulous attention: I am proud to say I have never had a dissatisfied client.
This page was last updated: March 20, 2012
REFERENCES

  • University of Paris 7
  • University of Caen
  • Human Sciences Institute of Lyon
  • various CNRS laboratories
  • selected high-end translation agencies in Spain, France, Germany and the UK
Susan Nicholls Translations
in literature, humanities and the social sciences
Quality assurance

I have recently overhauled my QA procedures to make sure slips and errors are an exception to the rule.  For interest, this is a brief summary of what happens to your text:
draft translation, rewrite, reference and terminology check, initial spellcheck and punctuation check, queries to author/client where necessary, print and first revision/correction, check against original, print and second correction, final check of spelling, punctuation, numbers, etc., cooling off period, final proof, submission before deadline.
Which is why it sometimes takes a little longer than you might expect....