Expert French Language Services
Bridging cultures through professional interpretation and translation tailored to your needs.
01.
Certified Expertise
With an ATA certification and master's degree, our services guarantee high-quality language support for critical communications.
02.
Global Reach
Serving clients in Monterey and worldwide, ensuring effective communication across diverse sectors and cultures.
03.
Cultural Fluency
Understanding nuances in language, we deliver contextualized solutions to enhance clarity and engagement.
About Andrea McKay
I'm Andrea McKay, an ATA-certified French to English translator and interpreter based in Monterey, California. With expertise in international development, mental health, legal affairs, and corporate communications, I provide precise, culturally intelligent language services for organizations worldwide.
Services
Translation (ATA-certified)
Written. Documents/content that must be converted from English to French. Translation can be certified and or notarized, if necessary. The result is publication‑ready text that preserves meaning, tone, formatting and legal validity.
Simultaneous/Conference interpretation
Spoken language. Spoken French and English are rendered in real time while the presenter continues uninterrupted. Ideal for conferences, webinars, and large meetings. Provided onsite with interpreting headsets or remotely through compatible virtual platforms.
Consecutive interpretation
Spoken language. The speaker pauses every few sentences while the interpreter conveys the message in French or English. Suited to business meetings, one‑on‑one discussions, site visits, medical consultations, and similar settings. Offered onsite or remotely; chuchotage (whispered) and escort interpreting are available.
Project Management
End‑to‑end coordination of large or multi‑language assignments: team selection, scheduling, glossary control, quality checks, and final delivery through a single point of contact.
Language Service Consulting
Assessment of an event or project to identify the most effective language services. Provides guidance on interpretation modes, document needs, and best practices for working with linguists.
Connect with Andrea!
Explore how Andrea language services can enhance your next project or event. Get in touch today.
Testimonials
"Over the last 6 months, Andrea McKay and her colleagues have provided EN<>FR interpretation services for our One Risk capacity building project in West and Central Africa. This included virtual technical meetings, an online webinar series and a virtual 3-day knowledge dissemination event. We’ve been very pleased with the quality of her work and her professionalism and hope there will be an opportunity to collaborate again sometime in the future."
EpiX Analytics
FAQs
What is the difference between translation and interpretation?
Translation involves converting written text from one language to another, while interpretation is the oral or sign-language conversion of spoken words in real time.
What is the difference between consecutive and simultaneous (or conference) interpretation?
In consecutive interpretation, the speaker delivers a short segment, then pauses while the interpreter—guided by notes—relays the whole segment in the second language; this stop‑and‑start format is conducive to back and forth conversations, such as medical consults, witness testimony, interviews, and small meetings.
In simultaneous (conference) interpretation, the interpreter listens through headphones and reformulates the speech almost instantly while the speaker continues, letting listeners hear the interpretation into the second language in real time via headsets. This is the norm for large conferences, live broadcasts, multilingual webinars, and any event where uninterrupted flow is critical.
Is a team of two interpreters REALLY necessary for simultaneous interpretation?
Yes, absolutely. Simultaneous interpretation is one of the most cognitively demanding tasks in the language services industry. It requires interpreters to listen, process, and speak in real time, all while maintaining accuracy and conveying nuances. This intense mental workload can lead to fatigue and decreased performance if not properly managed.
The International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) recommends that interpreters work in teams of at least two for simultaneous interpretation assignments. This practice allows interpreters to alternate every 20 to 30 minutes, ensuring sustained concentration and high-quality output. Even during rest periods, the off-duty interpreter remains engaged by assisting with terminology, names, and other preparatory tasks.
Can you handle specialized or technical content?
Absolutely. I have experience in various fields and continually update my knowledge to provide expert-level language services for specialized topics.
What languages do you work with?
I specialize in French and English. However, if you are looking for additional languages, feel free to reach out. I have a large network of colleagues in various languages an am always happy to make a referral.