I’m an American language professional living in Marseille. I offer translation and editing services for authors, especially academics, as well as subtitling services for filmmakers and production companies. I have been working as a translator since 2012. I do this work because I care about writing and language, and I enjoy doing the research required to find the right words. An essential part of the job is communicating with authors and other stakeholders to ensure fidelity to the source document.
Translation
I translate books, articles, and other texts in the humanities, social sciences, and arts. Past projects include works in anthropology, musicology, social psychology, history, linguistics, political philosophy, as well as scholarly writing for museum publications.
Editing
I offer line editing and proofreading of English-language translations and original prose, including adaptation for American English audiences. For non-native speakers, I can provide line editing with focused comments aiming to improve written expression, drawing on my experience as a language instructor in the university setting.
Subtitling
I create subtitles using Annotation Edit subtitling software. I offer translation and adaptation as well as spotting and time coding.
A little about me
Raised in Los Angeles and Washington by anglophone parents, I discovered the French language and culture in school, and these quickly became my passion. For fifteen years I split my time between Paris and Chicago, before finally settling in Marseille in 2015. Steeped in two languages and two cultures, I seek out projects that allow me to make connections between my native and adoptive homes.
Degrees
Aix-Marseille Université (2015 – 2018)
Masters Degree in Literary Translation and Intercultural Studies
Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3 (2010 – 2011)
Teaching French as a Foreign Language Certificate
University of Chicago (2002 – 2006)
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities, cum laude
Affiliations
ATLAS
Member since 2015. Participated in the ViceVersa translation workshop in 2022.
ALTA
Member since 2013.
ATA
Member since 2022. Participant in the Audiovisual Division mentoring program.
SFT
Member since 2023.
Mercedes Gilliom 