My wife and I were introduced to Ann McLean in the Fall of 2018, around the same time that we went under contract to buy a house in Limoux and secured our <Titres des Sejours>> (“Title of Stay,” or long-stay visas). While I know a little bit of French, the particulars of deciphering the Contract for the Sale/Purchase of our house rendered it essential that we get an accurate translation of the document into English to ensure we understood the legal matters involved, in particular. Ann translated the contract for us and spent the time to answer questions and interpret various clauses. When we went to the local Notaire to sign the contract we felt comfortable and confident thanks to Ann’s assistance. We have since used her translation services for various other important documents and have always found her to be efficient, accurate, and responsive. I can highly recommend Ann for any English-French translation needs you encounter.
David Walker, Limoux, AUDE
When my husband and I (both English speakers) moved to France and bought a house, Ann was recommended to us by our notaire for some much needed translation help. First, she translated our real estate purchase documents. But over and above the translation of legal documents, she gave us great support by helping us transfer utility services into our names. With Internet service it was more complicated and required an in-person visit. She accompanied us to Carcassonne to get the service restarted in our names. We would never have been able to take care of these moving tasks without a great deal of help. For everything she’s helped us with she’s been so quick to respond, which we appreciate a great deal. I highly recommend Ann’s services as you become acquainted with your new life in France.
Terry Malouf, Limoux, AUDE
It would be difficult to count the number of times we have said thank you to Ann Mclean. Some years ago our Notaire, Benoit Duchan of Chalabre directed us to her. It is not just translations, but her personality, commitment, ability, manners and leadership that she manifests with excellence. We are not really certain how we could have managed without her help.
Martin and Theresa Mann, Catton Hall, Cheshire, England.
At very short notice Ann McLean made an excellent French translation of a complicated order of service for my daughter's wedding. This enabled both French and English-speaking guests to understand a lengthy church service. Ann's work received many compliments. From my own point of view her calm competence helped me enormously. Her work was faultless - to be highly recommended.
Mary Murphy
J’ai rencontré Madame Ann McLean lors d’une interview que je voulais faire d’un couple de personnes australiennes. Voisine du couple, elle s’est proposée pour faire la traduction simultanée. Je parle et comprend un peu l’anglais, mais pas suffisamment pour mener un travail filmé en toute tranquillité. Le sujet était assez technique et j’ai tout de suite remarqué l’efficacité de notre traductrice dans un sens comme dans un autre. Habitué, à travailler au contact de traducteurs professionnels (comme au parlement à Bruxelles) je ne me suis pas senti dépaysé.
J’ai donc par la suite profité de cette heureuse opportunité pour demander à Ann Mc Lean de travailler sur l’ensemble de la traduction d’un film d’une heure à la fois dans le relevé intégral des dialogues pour un futur « voice over », et dans l’adaptation par sous-titres qui oblige à réinterpréter et à résumer ce qui est dit. Dans les deux cas de figure le travail a été fait rapidement et avec efficacité.
Pour peu que l’on comprenne un peu l’anglais, on peut également essayer d’aller plus loin dans l’expression des sous-textes, des sous-entendus, ce qui est pour mon travail une grande qualité.
Nous avons continué ce travail par la traduction de toute la documentation papier entourant la sortie du film : traduction de la jaquette, des communiqués de presse et des retours critiques. J’ai été félicité par mes correspondants anglophones pour la parfaite qualité de mes présentations!
C’est donc avec plaisir que je me permets de recommander Ann McLean à toute personne qui aurait besoin de communiquer avec un public anglophone autant par oral que par écrit.
Marc Khanne, St Geniès Bellevue
I have no hesitation in recommending what has become such a useful addition to my surveying practice in France. Your highly professional French <> English translation service has proved invaluable to both myself and my clients, particularly the additional benefit you offer of being able to sit in and provide two way translations at meetings.
Ian Graham MA FRICS
Many situations have required research into proper forms of address, and proper understanding of terms that are rarely found in the course of everyday business. Ann has an acute sense of propriety, a wealth of international experience, and access to resources that enable her to offer a service with results that otherwise may be very difficult to achieve. I can warmly recommend Ann as more than a translator, but rather as a communicator, with very valuable skills to offer.
The Rev’d Canon Anthony H. Jewiss, Alet les Bains, Aude
We have no hesitation in recommending Ann McLean for English translation services – both oral and written. My wife and I have utilised Ms McLean’s services on a number of occasions including: Facilitating the transfer of property with translations from lawyers; Assisting with the establishment of banking and utility services; Translation of architectural and survey documentation for historical building; requirements; Liaison with neighbours and local government officials on our behalf. At all times we have found Ann professional, discreet and effective in representing our needs in French to all relevant parties.
Jonathan Benyei and Christine Bell, Canberra Australia