In this interview, we dive into the world of translation and dubbing with Flor Ferraris, a professional passionate about languages and the connection between cultures. From her early days as an English and Spanish teacher to her current role at Memoria, she shares how her love for words led her to become part of a team that transforms global content into accessible experiences for all. We talk about her challenges, learnings, and pivotal moments in her career, demonstrating that beyond the technique, translation is a bridge that connects stories and people.
To start, tell us a little about yourself, Flor. Where are you currently living and how long have you been living outside your country?
- I am a translator and English and Spanish teacher. I currently live in Kassel, Germany, and have been here for a year and a month.
What led you to make the decision to live abroad? How was the adaptation process?
- I have always had a great passion for languages. I attended a bilingual English-Irish school, where I also learned French as a third language. Since high school, I felt a special inclination for languages and decided to learn German because I have family living in Germany. I wanted to communicate better with my cousins, who, although they speak Spanish, have German as their main language. This family connection was my first introduction to German culture, even while I was still living in Argentina.
At 16, I started studying German while deciding what to do after high school. Although I was interested in an English teaching career, I eventually opted for scientific-literary translation, which would open doors for me to work in other countries. This idea of living abroad was also reinforced when I did an exchange in England: I spent a month studying English and exploring London, and that experience fueled my desire for new adventures.
I considered several options like Australia or Canada, exploring work visas and Work & Holiday programs. In the end, Germany seemed to be the best option because of my family there. To make this possible, I applied for Italian citizenship, although the process delayed my plans a bit. In January 2020, I finally got my Italian passport, but the pandemic halted everything. It wasn't until 2022 that I was able to travel for the first time, staying for seven months with my family. I returned to Argentina for a while, but always with the idea of settling permanently in Germany, which I finally achieved in October 2023.
The adaptation process was smoother thanks to my family support network. Living with my aunt and uncle initially helped a lot, as did meeting other Argentinians and locals. This year, I moved to my own place in Kassel, 40 kilometers away from where they live, which marked an important step towards my independence. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to live in a shared flat to divide expenses and meet people. Today, I live in an apartment with three German girls who are super nice. We make plans together from time to time, and that shared living situation helps a lot to feel supported. My remote job allows me to settle wherever I want, which also makes the adaptation and stability here easier.
What do you like most about living in Germany? Is there anything you miss from Argentina?
- What I like most about Germany is the tranquility. I live in a small, orderly city without the chaos of larger places. Everything works with punctuality: if the bus says it arrives at 3:24 PM, it is actually there. The weather is pleasant, and although people are different, I haven’t had any bad experiences. I always heard that Germans are reserved, but that hasn’t been my case. I live in a shared flat with three German girls who are super cool. We make plans together from time to time, and that shared living helps a lot to feel supported.
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to live in a shared flat to divide expenses and meet people. I found these girls through a shared apartment search website. They were looking for a fourth person, and the place seemed perfect: good location, reasonable price, and a good atmosphere.
What cultural differences impacted you the most?
- One of the differences that struck me the most is the time for dinner. In Germany, if I go out with my roommates or German friends, we meet at 6 PM. Everything starts much earlier compared to Argentina. Also, restaurants tend to close their kitchens around 9:30 PM, so if you have something special in mind, you need to plan ahead. Although I love German cuisine, adapting to those hours was a challenge.
How was the adaptation to work?
- The great thing about my job at Memoria is the flexibility. I don’t have strict hours, but I do have deadlines to meet. The time difference between Germany and Argentina, which is 4 hours (or 5 in the summer), mainly affects the classes I teach. For example, sometimes I have lessons at 9 PM here, which means it’s 5 PM in Argentina. Organizing myself for these specific classes requires some planning, but it’s manageable.
With translation work, the adaptation was easier. As long as I meet the deadlines, there is no problem. In fact, the time difference can work to my advantage. For example, if I fall behind on a project, I can start early at 8 AM here, and it would still be just 4 AM in Argentina, giving me extra time to deliver.
The biggest challenge is coordinating schedules with family and friends in Argentina. Sometimes it’s hard to find a time that works for everyone, but over time you adapt. It’s like when I started learning Korean: I had to wait for classes to be offered at a time that worked for me. That’s how I learned to adjust my schedule according to the circumstances.
As a teacher, what aspects do you enjoy the most when teaching?
- I am a teacher of English and Spanish as a second language for foreigners, and one of the things I enjoy the most is interacting with my students. Teaching allows me to socialize and learn from the experiences of others, which contrasts with translation, a more individual job. Although in translation we work in teams and help each other, the dynamic is different, and teaching gives me that opportunity for direct connection with people.
I love sharing my passion for languages and watching my students progress. It’s gratifying when someone who started with no interest in English, but needs it, tells you they could understand a movie or enjoy a song. That moment when they almost unknowingly begin to get closer to the language and explore new cultures and forms of art is incredible.
I feel that the goal of both translation and language teaching is the same: to create a bridge between cultures, to give people access to other cultures, and to expand their minds, lives, hobbies, and discover new things. With the translation, both subtitling and dubbing that we do at Memoria, we provide access to content that otherwise they wouldn’t be able to enjoy.
How did you become a part of Memoria?
- It was a funny experience in a way. In 2022, during my sabbatical year in Germany, I had left all my jobs in Argentina, leaving only a few classes that, over time, also faded away. I came with savings, planning to travel and explore, but I didn’t find any work opportunities. I decided to return to Argentina because a friend was getting married, and in the meantime, I kept looking for opportunities.
I was in the process of renewing my driver’s license when I received a message from my cousin. She told me that a friend of hers was looking for translators and gave me the Memoria website. She asked if I was interested, and of course, I said yes. While I was waiting in line, I started researching the site. My cousin gave me Manu’s contact, who had gone to school and university with her. I messaged him, introduced myself as Rosario’s cousin, and Manu replied right away, offering me an interview. During the interview, there was Manu, Erick, Fede, and Brai. I told them about my experience and previous jobs, they gave me a test, and shortly after, I was welcomed to the team.
I started by covering the Sambucha channel, which was my first project at Memoria and remains one of my favorites to this day. Over time, I was offered the coordination role, and here I am, two years later, grateful for having taken that opportunity.
For those who are not familiar, could you explain a little about your role at Memoria? How is the process of translating and adapting content for YouTube?
- My role at Memoria combines translation with cultural adaptation. Although I didn’t have direct experience in dubbing before starting, I did have a solid foundation thanks to my studies, conferences, and seminars. However, I knew that theory wasn’t enough and that practice was essential to improve.
At first, the process was longer and more detailed. I would first transcribe the video, then translate it, and finally adapt it, working on each stage separately. I could spend an hour working on a video that was just one minute long. However, over time and with practice, I optimized my working method. Now, I do the translation and adaptation at the same time, which greatly speeds up the process.
Additionally, getting to know the client and the specific details of their content makes a huge difference. Every creator has their own style, with repeated phrases and slang. Once you become familiar with them, the adaptation becomes much more natural and fluid. In summary, practice and experience allowed me to perfect my work and achieve a balance between precision and efficiency.
How do you handle cultural or humor challenges that might not translate well?
- Adapting content for a neutral Latin audience can be challenging, especially with humor, which varies by region. Sometimes, it’s hard to find the right way to translate jokes or expressions, as what is funny in one country may not be in another. A good example of this is swear words, which can have different connotations depending on the place. In Sambucha, for example, we look for expressions that work well across all countries.
It’s also important to consider the channel's style. If the creator tends to use a specific type of humor, we need to decide whether to keep the original joke or adapt the content to better fit the general tone. The good thing is that the team supports each other, exchanging suggestions and adapting the dubbing, which includes considering the duration and other aspects to ensure everything flows naturally.
What type of content do you enjoy translating the most? Is there a topic or creator that has surprised you?
- When I started with Brandon Vu, I researched a lot about specific yoyo terms to decide which ones to translate and which to leave in English, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed learning about such a niche world. Now I understand how competitions work, the tricks, and how they are scored. I also enjoy translating general-interest content and I’m a fan of channels like Action Lab, although I haven’t worked directly on any of their videos. I like the variety, though when creators repeat catchphrases, it makes the work easier, but it can get a bit monotonous.
For those thinking about working and living abroad, what would you advise about cultural adaptation and professional development in another country?
- In my case, working at Memoria, the culture is very similar because we are mostly Latin Americans, which makes adaptation easier. Plus, the remote work culture today offers much more freedom than before. It’s not necessary to fully adapt to the work culture of the country you're in, and this has been a huge advantage for me, as it allows me to enjoy two cultures at once.
However, moving to another country is never easy. You always leave something behind, and there are moments when you wonder if it’s worth it or why you made those decisions. The good thing is that, over time, you find new bonds and relationships, and these connections allow you to create a new "family" from a distance. I was talking recently with a friend, and we both agreed that friendships abroad become more intense because we’re both alone, going through the same things, and we support each other.
As you get to know people, you start to build your own little place, creating your support network. It’s an adaptation process, but also very enriching.
Flor’s experience shows us that translating is much more than just converting words from one language to another; it’s about opening doors to new cultures, ideas, and ways of seeing the world. Her passion for languages and her ability to adapt to the challenges of each project remind us how collaborative work and love for what we do can deeply impact others. Thank you, Flor, for sharing your story!
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