James Royston Roden
Hello there!
I’m James Roden, owner and translator at Translinguistic.
Prior to starting out as a freelance translator in 2014 I practised as a lawyer in the UK. Languages were always a passion of mine; on the way to qualifying as a solicitor in 2011 I studied Law with French Law, incorporating classes on French language, culture and law and an ERASMUS study abroad year in Paris studying French, European and International Law alongside modules in Legal Translation.
After law school and a two-year traineeship I qualified into the legal profession in 2011 and practised for two further years in a variety of specialisms. During this time I represented the Devon & Somerset Law Society at several international lawyers’ meetings in Europe, including translating, co-authoring and delivering presentations on UK law in French to seminar audiences of my European peers.
In 2013 I made the decision to pursue a lifelong ambition to live and work overseas and to follow my true calling as a language specialist. I enrolled at the University of Bristol to study part-time for a Master’s degree in Translation and moved to the Champagne region of France. I completed the MA in Translation in 2016 with distinction.
In 2018 I was inducted as a sworn interpreter – a court-appointed expert – by the Court of Appeal in Reims.
While I specialise – for obvious reasons – in Legal Translation, I am able to tackle a wide variety of styles and subject matters. Aside from languages, my other interests include cinema, literature, music – both playing and listening – team sports, popular science and philosophy. My favourite biscuit is the chocolate-covered malted milk and I enjoy playing video games on pitifully outdated games consoles. A tortoiseshell cat named Heaven very graciously allows my partner and me to live with her.
Curriculum Vitae
…or, for those of us who don’t do foreign languages, “Résumé” *
.Qualifications and Certifications
2018 Admission as a sworn interpreter of the Court of Appeal; Court of Appeal of Reims, France
2017 TEFL/TESOL 75-hour TEFL Essentials Course (with Distinction); teflexpress.co.uk, UK
2016 MA Translation (with Distinction); University of Bristol, UK
2011 Admission as a Solicitor of the senior courts of England and Wales; Solicitors’ Regulation Authority, UK
2008 Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Legal Practice Course); College of Law Guildford, UK
2006 DEJF (Diploma in French Legal Studies); University of Paris-10 Nanterre, France
2007 LLB Law with French Law; University of Reading, UK
2003 A-Levels in French, English Literature, Philosophy & Ethics, Art; Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, UK
Selected Professional Experience
2014- Freelance Translator/ Interpreter/ Tutor
2017-2018 Teacher of English (Travaux Pratiques); University Institute of Technology Reims, France
2016-2018 English Language Assistant; Ministry of Education, France
2012-2013 Solicitor; Co-operative Legal Services, Bristol, UK
2012-2012 Solicitor; Nash & Co., Plymouth, UK
2011-2011 Solicitor; Thompsons LLP, Plymouth, UK
2009-2011 Trainee Solicitor; Kitsons LLP, Torquay, UK
2009-2009 Systems Support Officer; Torbay Council, UK
Other Skills and Experience
- Proficiency in MS Office, CAT Tools including OmegaT, WordPress
- European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Level I
- Secretary of Ellacombe Ward Community Partnership, 2009-2011
- Native speaker of English/ Fluent in French/ some facility with German, Dutch, Spanish.
*Not my joke; I heard Stephen Fry use it once on television.
Links and Further Information
Between 2009 and 2013 I represented the Devon and Somerset Law Society at international meetings and colloquia between law societies and bar associations around Europe, including drafting, translating and delivering presentations in the French language. My prose accounts of some of these trips were published in the DASLS newsletter:
Drawing has been a passion of mine as far back as I can remember. I’m working on creating a full online portfolio and showcase for illustration and graphic design services. In the meantime, please email james@translinguistic.com if you want to know more.
In 2018 I was sworn in as a “judicial expert” interpreter for the Court of Appeal in Reims. My entry on the list can be viewed here.
As a solicitor I am regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA ID 458678. However, as a non-practising solicitor I do not hold a current practising certificate and am neither authorised nor insured to provide legal advice. The record of my inclusion on the roll of solicitors can be consulted here.
