Meet the team: Valentina Pacino, Language Architect

It’s been a while, but our Meet the Team series is back! This time, we’re introducing Valentina Pacino, a Language Architect at Alpha CRC.

Hi Valentina, thanks for spending some time with us today. Let’s get straight into it. Could you tell us a little about a typical day for you at Alpha?

Definitely! On a typical day at the office, I translate, revise and post-edit marketing content for different Alpha clients into European and Latin American Spanish (always coffee or mate in hand). I also collaborate with different teams to help improve our internal localization efforts, workflows, productivity and Alpha’s translation and internal development tools.

Awesome, so what do you enjoy most about your role?

I really enjoy translating and localizing marketing content. I find it very stimulating and challenging, especially in this fast-paced context we find ourselves in. I also love the social aspect. Translation can be a very solitary job, but I am glad that my role at Alpha allows me to learn from others constantly and contribute to different business goals that go beyond translation.

I couldn’t agree more – it’s kind of ironic that in a job that is directly about communication, so many people end up working in a pretty solitary way. Being part of a team like the one at Alpha does bring a social aspect to that work.

Totally. I love how connected we all are, and I think this is thanks to our “under-one-roof” philosophy.

So how did you get started in localization Valentina?

I started working in this industry while I was completing my undergraduate course in Buenos Aires. I did two internships, as part of my study programme, and then I slowly started doing some freelancing work as well. I’d say I’ve been in the industry for about eight years now.

What advice would you give to someone just getting into the world of localization?

Make sure you make well-informed decisions and have a real dream to pursue; this will make your journey easier and more enriching. We are facing challenging times with a lot of uncertainty, but I truly believe those who are committed and have a clear mindset will be the ones driving our industry forward.

Very true. Okay, do you have a favourite word or phrase from another language?

I often use the French word “Voilà”. It is the type of word that is super versatile and can be used in multiple contexts. I like how effortlessly it wraps things up.

And finally, if you could click your fingers and become fluent in any language, which one would you choose?

Probably Italian. I think it is because of the similarities with Spanish, both linguistically and culturally. There is also a historical and family connection. I am from Argentina, a country shaped by strong immigration flows. My great-grandparents were Spanish and Italian immigrants, so when I travel to Italy and listen to Italian being spoken, I do not hear just words. I recognise familiar ways of expressing ideas and interacting, which feel very close to how we do things back home.