During my theology studies in the Netherlands a lot of emphasis was put on language skills and the art of translating. Language courses not just focussed on learning vocabulary and grammar, they spend time on understanding the differences between grammar systems, language families; what they are able to express and what the limitations of translation are. This knowledge was not only applied when doing the obvious assignments translating and exegeting biblical texts, but also during the anthropology, sociology and psychology classes I attended (When studying Theology I specialised in Missiology, hence those courses).

Before that, while studying Chemical Engineering in the Netherlands, the use of English text books (Dutch textbooks were never used), gave me practical experience with the Oil and Gas industry, which was later deepened while working at Emerson, where I started translating manuals of valves and actuators.

It was in Hungary, where thanks to my previous experience learning languages (English, German, French, OT Hebrew and OT Greek) I managed to speak Hungarian within 6 months. Admittedly not fluently at the start, but good enough to meet Ágnes who has since become my wife, and doesn’t speak any other languages besides Hungarian. After that first half year in Hungary, I took a language course, to hone my grammar with a professional teacher. Then, being in Hungary for about 2 years, I started to be approached by friends and relatives to do the occasional Hungarian – Dutch and Hungarian – English translation in both directions. That made me to decide to spend more time on translating, take professional assignments on a freelance base, and gain experience.

My Associate Degree for Carpentry I got in Hungary at a Hungarian institution, which pretty much explains my confidence in taking on wood industry jobs as well, having successfully passed both written and oral exams.