The person behind the words
I'm Telma — a PT-PT localization specialist, literary translator, and publishing consultant based in
Lisbon. I grew up in a house where language was everything, shaped early by a poet grandfather who taught me
that words are never just words. That instinct has guided every professional decision since.
My story
I studied Modern Languages and Literature, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Translation, and stepped
straight into the publishing world as a Foreign Rights Assistant at Editorial Presença — one of Portugal's
leading publishers. That role gave me something most translators never get: an insider's understanding of how
the publishing market actually works, what sells, and why.
From there, my path took me through the Embassy of Japan, international work in Amsterdam, and years
immersed in the Dutch children's book market (2015–2023) — an experience that sharpened my cross-European
perspective in ways that still inform my work daily. Living and working between markets teaches you things no
course can: how differently audiences in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Netherlands respond to the same
story, the same product, the same brand.
Since 2018 I've been a full-time freelance specialist, working with global e-commerce and SaaS platforms on
end-to-end PT-PT localization, and since 2023 I've been an active manuscript assessor for Penguin Random
House Portugal — evaluating both debut writers and established international titles for acquisition
consideration in the Portuguese market. Twenty years in. Still the best job I know.
What I bring to every project
- Linguistic precision — Native PT-PT, trained translator, meticulous editor. Every word is considered.
- Market intelligence — Nearly two decades of publishing and e-commerce experience means I understand not just the language, but the audiences.
- Editorial authority — 900+ manuscript assessments for PRH Portugal, in-house publishing experience, and an active finger on the pulse of what European markets are acquiring.
- Experience with tools — Years of working with global platforms means Phrase, Smartling, XTM, and MemoQ are second nature. I work the way your team works.
- Cultural fluency — Not just fluent in Portuguese. Fluent in what Portuguese audiences expect, how they search, what makes them trust a brand (and what makes them close a tab).
Education & professional standing
- BA in Modern Languages and Literature
- Postgraduate Diploma in Translation
- Member of APT (Association of Professional Translators)
- Active consultant, Penguin Random House Portugal (2023–present)
Continuing professional development
- Professional Certificate in Internationalization and Localization — University of Washington (2023)
- Localization Essentials — Google (2022)
- edX Verified Certificates in Internationalization & Localization — edX (2022–2023)
- GALA Academy: Redesigning a Translation Quality Framework — GALA (2023)
- Using Metadata to Improve Quality & Efficiency in International Operations — GALA
- The Enterprise Machine Translation Playbook — Intento, Inc. (2022)
- Translation Technology Insights: Key Industry Trends — Trados Inc. (2023)
- Future Proofing your career in the Language Industry — Creative Words (2024)
Beyond work
When I'm not deep in a localization project or a manuscript, you'll find me with an audiobook in my ears,
listening to music, or simply enjoying time with family. Balance matters: it's what keeps the precision sharp
and the curiosity alive.
Let's get your project right for Portugal.
Whether you're a global brand expanding into the Portuguese market or a publisher looking for an editorial eye
with real market insight — I'd love to hear about your project.