I’m Cynthia, the creative mind behind Stories Retold.
Translation is a passion for me. I love giving my clients a voice that they would normally never have, empowering them in their message and unlocking new worlds. I love working with the dreamers and risk takers, those who are trusting their voice and living out what they love. I enjoy building bridges for my clients and helping them reach their goals, whether that's expanding onto the global market, spreading a vital message or bringing wonder and escape to millions of new readers.
As a trained specialist translator armed with a Master of Arts in Translation from the prestigious Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, 14 years of professional experience, three working languages and an immersive family life in the heart of Germany, spinning the threads between French, German and English comes naturally to me.
I’ve loved language for as long as I can remember. As a teen, I’d be tucked away in the library or listening to language tapes so I could perfect my Bonjour and Wie geht’s? until the sun was rising; it was my nerdy little secret.
I wasn’t sure where my path would take me, but I knew one thing for sure: language was for me.
14 years later, here I am.
I now live in Germany with my German-speaking husband and children and work with organizations from all around the world on their business storytelling. Art exhibitions, movie scripts, love letters, wellness promos, clinical trials, and best-selling books… I’ve done it all. But it’s the creative stuff - the museums, the historical tidbits and the art books - that really get my creative juices flowing.
I’m a perfectionist; it’s the way I’m built. To me, a job isn’t complete until I’ve dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. And that’s the ethos I pour into every translation project.
There is no greater joy than helping inspiring, innovative business owners and organizations find the words to connect with influential audiences on a global stage.
So, now you know about me - I want to hear about you.
WHY THE PENGUIN?
You might be wondering… why the penguin? Besides serving as a fun and playful mascot, the penguin is quite symbolic of my business.
Meticulous, intelligent, and courteous, outgoing yet shy, stable yet flighty, the penguin is a fascinating and enigmatic individual that reflects many aspects of my own personality.
How does he symbolize my brand?
Penguin personalities are artistic, poetic and gifted and as writers they have no equal. They are modest in their abilities and have a natural talent for languages. They dominate the world of publishing as writers, editors and journalists. True experts in their niche, they always put family first and maintain a harmonious work/life balance.
I hope you’ll enjoy watching him pop up throughout the site.
Source: https://animalinyou.com
What can I do for you?
Maybe you’ve worked with translators before. Or perhaps you’re new to the translation game. Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to help.
I’ll capture the energy, humor and emotion of your text and use my linguistic skills and cultural know-how to produce pristine content that speaks directly to your audience.
I specialize in the cultural and creative sectors and have worked with global organizations from all walks of life.
Curious about my latest projects? Check out my portfolio.
“Cynthia is so professional; working with her feels less like a vendor relationship and more like a partnership. She truly wants her clients to grow.”
Some fun facts about me:
I’m from Kentucky in the US - the home of whiskey, thoroughbreds and exquisite food. So, so, so much good food.
Dancing is in my blood; my great aunt was a member of the Ziegfeld Follies in the 20s and used to grace the Broadway stages. Now I dance ballet for the pure joy of it… it’s my ultimate way to escape the pace of daily life.
My favorite smell? Cigars. My Dad used to run a cigar shop and so every time I catch a whiff, I'm immediately back in my childhood, hiding in the humidor room.
I adore 80s ballads and country classics (the sappy stuff and Dixie Chick-style girl power jams) and am an embarrassingly huge fan of the Golden Girls.
I’m a bit of a spirit junkie and get the biggest kick out of personal development, growth mindset and self love… you know, all the good stuff.
