About Jenn Mercer
I never know where to start with these things, so let me try beginning with the central dilemma. My primary occupation is as a French to English Translator. I am thinking in two languages at, more or less, the same time by default. Each day I learn more about the French language and my own. Because this duality is not enough, I am also a writer. But is this not the same as being a translator? After all, I am still writing in English. As a writer, I (mostly) write non-fiction and poetry. But isn’t all poetry true on some level? And, just to close the loop, the craftsmanship required to write poetry is tremendously useful with translation. A contract may not have meter, but there is a proper form which it should take. A literal translation can require finesse and mental gymnastics to transform into something other than gibberish. It takes work, but it is fascinating work and I learn something every day.
Jenn Mercer specializes in legal, business, financial, and pharmaceutical translation. She has also published non-fiction and poetry, and occasionally dabbles in making stuff up (aka fiction). She has Bachelor’s degrees in English (Creative Writing) and French from NC State University and is currently attending NYU in pursuit of a Certificate in Translation.