Essays on AI, localization, and freelance translation

Everything here started as a weekly essay on Substack, written for fellow translators, localizers, and copywriters.

Below are excerpts from what I've published so far.

Subscribe on Substack to read in full, and to catch new essays as they go out. 🩷
How AI is destroying localization
How AI is destroying localization
It takes an enormous amount of knowledge about culture, history, and language to work in localization, which is why it’s actually unbelievable to me that companies are entrusting localization to... Read more...
My first encounter with AI
My first encounter with AI
I remember clearly the first time I tried ChatGPT. The year was 2021. ChatGPT wrote an article in 2 seconds. It was absolutely insane. Read more...
Remote freelancers, I made you something
Remote freelancers, I made you something
Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about what remote freelance linguists actually need. Because I know we’re all in the same situation when it comes to... Read more...
The sentence that reveals if you're replaceable
The sentence that reveals if you're replaceable
If you can’t explain to your friends and family what you do, then you won’t be able to explain it to a new client either. Read more...
Use AI to expand your freelance business
Use AI to expand your freelance business
I actually think it’s amazing how much AI can do. I’m definitely not an AI hater, and I use it to run my own business, too. In my opinion, the... Read more...
Before you panic about AI, read this
Before you panic about AI, read this
In 2024, over 70% of freelance translators and interpreters reported that their work volumes were decreasing. Many found that they lost agency contracts overnight. These are their own words, not... Read more...
Spend money to get money
Spend money to get money
I’m the type of person who doesn’t spend money unless it’s absolutely necessary - I patch up my pants and sweaters, even those from H&M. Read more...
One Month in...
One Month in...
I did try to chase that dream of having stability with a full-time job and a family. Read more...
Red flags in remote freelancing
Red flags in remote freelancing
"You took the plunge. You're your own boss, and now you need to find clients. But how on earth do you find clients you can trust?"  Read more...
AI has changed the nature of language work
AI has changed the nature of language work
You can read about it everywhere. Open LinkedIn and get overwhelmed with posts about language professionals losing their jobs to AI. Read more...
Why become a freelancer?
Why become a freelancer?
Whenever I meet a recent graduate who can't find a job, I always suggest freelancing. No one had ever mentioned that out loud as a possibility for me. Read more...
How it all started
How it all started
Eight years ago, I had just earned my master’s degree and was highly motivated to find my first full-time job that matched my education. As it turned out, that was... Read more...