Meet the Community: László N.

Welcome to the Meet the Community series, where we interview our partners and get to know more about them. Our Community is part of our lifeblood here at Lionbridge; without our dedicated, hard-working partners, we wouldn’t be able to continue breaking barriers and building bridges.

This time we’ll be meeting László N., a Hungarian linguist living in Budapest, Hungary.

What do you like most about being a part of the Lionbridge Community?

What I like is that it is a truly international community. I get to ‘meet’ and talk to people from India to Turkey, and beyond. This also means a wide range of opportunities!

How did you get into this field/industry?

I was studying Linguistics and wondering what to do with my life when, one day, I met a friend of a friend at a bar by chance. He was a translator himself, and after a few beers, we agreed that I should try translating. That was more than 10 years ago, but I'm still here today — and we work in the same office!

Describe a day in the life of a Lionbridge partner.

The best thing about this job is the freedom. Sure, there are deadlines (sometimes very tight!), but beyond that, you can decide when and where to work. There are days when I'm at my home computer from very early morning, but there are also days when I decide to go out take a stroll instead.

What advice would you give your younger self if they were just starting out in this field/industry?

I would just have to say: take it slow. Enjoy your life.

Tell us about some of your hobbies and interests.

I love literature, so I read a lot whenever I can. I also work as a literary translator, so even when I'm not translating, I'm still translating.

How many languages do you speak, and do you want to learn a new one?

Besides Hungarian, I speak English, Swedish and a little bit of Japanese. I would love to improve my Japanese, and maybe learn either Italian or Spanish.

What is your favorite word or phrase in your native language and why is it your favorite?

I recently re-read the Odyssey, and I am always amazed by the beauty of "rózsásujjú Hajnal" - that's how “rosy-fingered Dawn” was translated.

What is your favorite food and why?

My grandmother's töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage). It's just a perfectly honed mix of simple, yet great ingredients and is made with over 60 years of experience!

What do you like most about the country you live in or what would you change about the country you live in?

Hungary and the Hungarian language are pretty unique in comparison to the rest of Europe. Our language is a source of pride for us all, but try explaining the various suffixes, declinations, and tenses to the client who wishes to know why his glossary wasn't followed!

What country would you like to travel to and why?

I would like to visit Japan one day, because it's so different and so beautiful — and because it would also allow me to practice the language.

What, in your opinion, makes your field/industry special?

I like the variety. One day you’re working on a manual for a toaster, and the next you’re translating the next big video game release. I also think this field is much more merit-based compared to others — in localization, who you are and who you know matters much less than your skills.

What is the coolest language task you’ve participated in?

I like all projects equally… but I have to admit that I especially love jobs where I get to use a little creativity!