Journeys in text with translator & writing coach Joanna Dobson

pure connections, vital words

CONTACT JOANNA tell me about your project

CONTACT JOANNA tell me about your project

COACHING & EDITING assistance to writers working in English

COACHING & EDITING assistance to writers working in English

RUS—ENG TRANSLATION translation & editing translated text

RUS—ENG TRANSLATION translation & editing translated text

INTERPRETING ART HERITAGE a translator's hobby

INTERPRETING ART HERITAGE a translator's hobby

ABOUT ALTAI PILGRIM an extended journey in Southern Siberia

ABOUT ALTAI PILGRIM an extended journey in Southern Siberia

  • The creativities Joanna brought to bear upon the memoir I’m writing were phenomenal: highly intelligent and informed; multi-layered; perceptive; hybrid but integrated. I was astonished and inspired by her new ideas for my book and reassured by those of mine she endorsed. She was extremely thorough and generous with her time and gently challenging. This was all just from one session. She would be a wonderful accompanist through a longer journey to publication – which I look forward to a little further down the line.

    Anna, musician and academic

  • Joanna’s expertise as a writing coach has been transformative for me. Under her editorial and coaching guidance, I've not only crafted opening chapters for my memoir but have also seen them recognised, having been longlisted for a prize and gaining encouraging attention from two literary agents.

    Dr Maxine Meju, junior doctor

  • Joanna was extremely supportive, valuing the work I had already completed and continually checked her understanding of what I wanted to say. Her guidance has enabled me to be more confident and I have been able to use the strategies she suggested in other parts of my work.

    Lesley Cresswell, Resolute Books (poetry anthology)

  • My story was feeling very flat, and so was the author. Imagine my delight when Joanna launched into our session with strong new ideas to 'unstick' me and my story. One hour later I was buzzing with renewed enthusiasm for a story I had loved at the outset and more particularly a plan of action to move forward with it.

    Kate Cleaver, Journalist

  • Joanna is meticulous and her editing is spot on. She really pulled together some complex concepts. She's awesome. Quality, high-standards, and flexibility all from one experienced person.

    Joseph Robinson

  •  Having had the opportunity to travel in the Altai Region with Joanna Dobson as our translator, I cannot recommend Joanna highly enough. Her intimate knowledge of the local culture coupled with her command of Russian thoroughly enhanced our experience. Joanna not only did an excellent job of translating complex topics including the cosmology of the Altai people, she helped with trip logistics, was compassionate when the going got tough and showed herself to be an accomplished horsewoman on our three-day horse trek into the high-country to see and experience the sacred mountain of the Altai people.

    Jodi Fredini, photographer

  • Joanna is an inspired intermediary, A translator who delves into and interprets the sacred by becoming a hollow bone, open to the mysticism and magic that is language.

    Vinny Ferrau, traveller & poet

  • Joanna’s skillful and precise translation of the Russian articles written by Prs. Samashev and Toleubayev were a real contribution and a gift to this catalogue "Gold of the Great Steppe." So often it is almost impossible to capture both the importance of these national treasures from Kazakhstan as well as the aesthetic pleasure of reading precise, accurate and pleasing text.

    Professor Claudia Chang

  • Joanna Dobson's excellent English translation of the Arbachakov's work brings to a wider international audience a fascinating glimpse into the rapidly disappearing traditional world of the Shor Mountain people.

    Frederick Lundahl, retired American Diplomat and specialist on Central Asia and post Soviet Union countries

  • Joanna edited my translation, and it was an excellent experience. She was able to understand the deeper meaning of the spiritual text as if it were her native tongue. Joanna’s insights and suggestions greatly improved the quality of the translation.

    A Gerasymvhuk, Radiant Books

  • The level of communication between us and the results of the translation work were outstanding. Ms Dobson is flexible and demonstrates high efficiency and levels of tact when working with an editor and discussing suggested changes. She was exceptionally diligent in fact-checking and referencing original sources.

    Andrey Makarov (History book)

  • We contracted Joanna to translate a work of fiction by a native Nivkh writer. Cultural sensitivity really stood out in our collaboration. It is rare to find a person who is to this degree careful and considerate of what might seem minor elements of culture.

    A Makarov (short story)

  • I am grateful to you for your professional approach, as well as the personal interest you showed in the materials, your deep consideration of the text and study of terminology,

    Yulia Tulinova, CEO & Cofounder Apriori Translation Company

  • Joanna is an extremely diligent translator with an excellent ability to convey the text in a natural manner. Joanna has worked on many marketing related articles which are always a pleasure to read. She is an asset to our organisation.

    Kiran Adatia, Language Reach translation Agency

  • The main thing that I would like to mention: Joanna's desire to thoroughly understand the subject of translation, to get to the core of technical terms, as well as to add a certain style to the final text.

    Sergei Malafievsky, CEO

  • I was lucky enough to be recommended Joanna when looking for a translator for ‘A Different Sky’ – the English-language version of Hidden Siberia Magazine, which portrays the real Siberia. I was deeply impressed with Joanna's work. She is a consummate professional, a brilliant translator and a gifted writer

    Natalya Snigireva, Project Manager at IC&M Russia

  • I selected Joanna out of 20 potential candidates to translate a popular philosophy book from Russian to English. The result was a high quality and timely translation of a complex philosophical book written in spoken Russian. Joanna managed to retain the flow, character and feel of the original book while naturally adapting it to English language audience.

    Alanbek Yussupov, Head of Release and Supply Management at a private investment bank

  • Joanna has translated quite a demanding project from Russian into English for me perfectly and on time. None of the other 17 translators who bid for the job could have done it better, even judging by their sample tests

    Tanya Smith, English-Russian translator

  • I am grateful to Joanna for her fastidious approach. Thanks to her perfect translation, my novel retained its precise original meaning, style and tone.

    Aysel Musayeva Yusifzade