Lindsay Bywood
At my all-girls school in England in the 1980s, I was pushed towards sciences. I got a place to study maths at Oxford, but quickly realised that my real passion and ability was in languages, so changed to German and Philosophy. This mixture of science and languages has stood me in good stead in an industry that has always been at the forefront of technology in the language space.
After training as a translator, and then as a subtitler in-house in the late 1990s, I worked my way through most of the jobs in your typical AVT LSP, including senior management roles in operations and sales, before leaving to undertake a PhD in subtitling in 2012. During the ten years in academia that followed, I kept my ties to the industry through networking and conferences, and remained up to date with developments and trends. Since leaving my full-time academic job in 2022, I have been lucky to be offered a wide range of work from training to PR, consultancy to research. My skills lie in quickly assimilating and analysing information and communicating it in an engaging and understandable way.
Tina Shortland
In the fast-paced world of localization, the importance of clarity, precision, and cultural understanding cannot be overstated. With 30 years of experience in this ever-evolving industry, I have built a career centred on more than just getting the job done. My focus is on creating environments where teams and processes can thrive, delivering quality work that meets global standards while fostering growth and collaboration at all levels.
Specialising in subtitling and audiovisual translation, my journey has included roles as a teacher, translator, interpreter, in-house subtitler, and language lead, in addition to various roles in associations for audiovisual translators. These positions have allowed me to see the localization industry from every angle, whether managing tight deadlines, training linguists, or ensuring that the final product respects both the source material and the local audience. This well-rounded perspective enables me to offer solutions that are practical, efficient, and tailored to each client’s needs.
Through my association work, I’ve gained insights into the industry that are often challenging for freelancers to access. I understand how Language Service Providers (LSPs) operate, while also recognizing and respecting the unique work and challenges faced by freelancers.
One of my key strengths is the ability to listen to the needs of all stakeholders and identify pain points. Localisation is often a complex and fragmented process, and I work to simplify it by pinpointing areas where workflows can be optimised and collaboration can bear fruit. I place a strong emphasis on quality control, ensuring that every project, whether a global marketing campaign or a subtitled film, meets the highest standards.
Beyond technical skills, I believe that diplomacy and collaboration are the cornerstones of success in a globalised industry. Managing teams of linguists from diverse cultural backgrounds requires more than just leadership; it requires an understanding of how to mediate, motivate, and create an environment where everyone feels valued. My experience in arbitration has sharpened my ability to navigate these dynamics smoothly, ensuring that conflicts are resolved and common goals are achieved.
At the heart of my ethos is the belief that localisation should be a profession where people can grow, develop their skills, and find fulfilment in their work. By empowering teams, streamlining workflows, and focusing on quality, I aim to create systems that not only succeed in the short term but also provide lasting, scalable solutions.
Stavroula Sokoli
My career spans roles as a translator, researcher, academic, and project leader, each informing and enriching the others. I began translating in 1995, worked as an interpreter from 1998 to 2008, and have been subtitling since 2001. Driven by curiosity and a tinkerer’s mindset, I moved from researching subtitling norms for my PhD thesis to initiating and coordinating EU-funded projects at the Computer Technology Institute (CTI), bridging engineers and academics to develop software and educational materials. This work has yielded numerous publications and led to frequent speaking engagements at international conferences.
Teaching remains central. Since 2006, I have gained extensive experience at public universities (Hellenic Open University, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra) and private institutions, focusing on audiovisual localization and Spanish language education. I have also developed self-paced online subtitling courses for both local and global audiences.
Volunteering is equally integral to my path. I serve as Vice President of the European Association of Studies in Screen Translation, and a member of the Disciplinary Board of the Panhellenic Association of Translators, co-founded the Women in Localization Greece Chapter, and served on the board of the Hellenic Society for Translation Studies.
I believe language and culture must be accessible to all, and that interdisciplinary teamwork is key to addressing complex challenges.