Nao | Mie-gun, Japan
In addition to translating for web-based clients, Nao has translated seven books, and she's especially interested in translating literature that will give the rest of the world a better look at Japanese culture, art and trends. "If I could introduce that to another country, that would be amazing," she says.
Nao transitioned to freelance translation work ten years ago in search of a more pleasant work environment and new challenge.
Nao met her husband Gabe while she was attending school in the UK, and they maintained a long distance relationship for years before finally settling down and getting married. Three months after they started dating, Gabe spent a year in Japan and then Nao moved to England, and two years after getting married, the couple moved to Japan. A few years later their daughter came along.
Nao's husband Gabe teaches English to young children, and they are raising their daughter Ena to speak both languages.
I joined Nao and Gabe for Ena's first adventure at the beach, and she squealed with delight as her parents showed her how to chase the waves.
A quick post-beach adventure cleanup was in order...
While walking around Ise, Ena kept wandering towards the flowers, clearly captivated by the colors and shapes. "Don't touch, Ena." Nao gently cautioned. "It's important to respect nature and make sure others can enjoy it too."
Another scene from the charming coastal town of Ise, which Nao and her husband visit several times each year.
The best way to get from Nagoya to Ise -- or anywhere in Japan for that matter.
Ena enjoying the view on the way back home...
The next day we visited the Ise shrine, which is just an hour from the family's home in Nagoya. "I'm not religious, but it's nice to come here and remind myself that nature is an important part of our culture and that it should be respected. This place really calms me, and I can feel the energy here.
Nao loves sewing and making her own clothes in her spare time, and she relates the process to translation. "I make the parts first -- the shoulder, the front the back -- and then I sew it together to make it a whole," she says. "But if I goof on one section, it looks quite awkward, and it's the same with translation as well. If you have one part that is awkward, it throws off the entire text. We have to be careful with the detail and also see the whole thing as well."
