Matthew S. McKay MA CL AITI

Chartered Linguist · Cultural Translator of Chinese, French & (Swiss) German into English · Arts & Humanities · International Cooperation

Geneva Metropolitan Area

About

“At this level, translation almost becomes an art form." "It’s like my voice, but in English!" "I believe that Matthew would be an asset to any group or individual that enlists his skills." ~~~ I'm an Oxford- and Geneva-educated Chartered Linguist with more than seven years' professional experience in translation – and an informal history of more than 20 years working with texts across languages. I specialise in translations for the arts & humanities and international cooperation sectors. My work combines linguistic precision with cultural sensitivity, ensuring your message is conveyed with clarity, nuance, and authenticity. I also offer certified translations and have a few other specialisation strings to my bow. Whether it’s a creative project or a humanitarian initiative, I help your voice resonate powerfully in English. If you’re looking for a translator who values both accuracy and artistry, get in touch! Language pairs & directions: ✅️ Chinese (Simplified) to English 🇨🇳>🇬🇧 ✅️ Chinese (Traditional) to English 🇹🇼>🇬🇧 ✅️ (Swiss) French to English 🇨🇭🇫🇷>🇬🇧 ✅️ (Swiss) German to English 🇨🇭🇩🇪>🇬🇧

Experience

  • Owner, Independent Translator at McKay Translations
    Jul 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 1 mo

    Language Pairs: - Simplified Chinese to English - Traditional Chinese to English - (Swiss) French to English - (Swiss) German to English Translation Expertise: ▪️Certified translations ▪️Arts & culture: brochures and texts accompanying artworks for museums and galleries; statements, websites, and (auto)biographical texts for artists and musicians ▪️Journalistic: news and opinion pieces on international relations & geopolitics ▪️International cooperation: Nonprofits, NGOs, humanitarian aid & crisis response ▪️Neurodivergence

  • Associate Member at ASTTI
    Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

    Association suisse de traduction, de terminologie et d'interprétation (Swiss Association of Translators, Interpreters and Terminologists)

  • Associate (AITI) at Institute of Translation and Interpreting
    Nov 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 9 mos

  • Senior Translator (Chinese to English) at Watching America
    Oct 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

    Translation of Chinese-language news and opinion pieces covering international relations, foreign policy, politics, economics, diplomacy, and military affairs.

  • Fellow at The Royal Asiatic Society
    Mar 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 5 mos