Going beyond textbook Italian

During a recent business Italian lesson with one of my executive clients, we found ourselves going down a delightful rabbit hole on the topic of Baci Perugina, Italy’s most romantic chocolates.

These dark chocolate ‘kisses’ are wrapped in foil, each one hiding a little paper slip with a love note or inspirational quote inside.

I mentioned to my client that Perugina recently announced they’re experimenting with replacing the written messages with QR codes. The idea, apparently, is to modernise the experience. Personally, I find the idea a bit tragic, there’s something magical about unwrapping a chocolate and discovering a tiny message tucked inside, like a miniature Valentine’s card.

My client thinks it’s just a publicity stunt – I hope he’s right!

I always try to come up with interesting topics to discuss in our monthly conversation sessions so that we can go beyond textbook Italian and explore culture and current affairs.

Language learning should be more than grammar drills (although a colleague does cover that in separate classes). By making the conversation stimulating, my students learn to speak naturally and confidently about all sorts of topics – and they have fun while doing so.

If you’re a business leader looking to improve your Italian, get in touch to find out more about my executive language coaching service, tailored to fit your busy schedule.

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Start Q2 strong: Mentorship that moves your career forward

I’ve recently had the pleasure of mentoring a lovely interpreter — let’s call her Daisy — who’s just taken the leap to start her own agency.

We first connected when she booked a power hour with me. What started as a one-off session quickly turned into something more meaningful: Daisy asked if I’d support her throughout the year with quarterly coaching sessions, and of course, I said yes.

Before each session, she sends me her questions and updates, and I take time to prepare thoughtful, detailed responses tailored to her journey.

So far we’ve covered topics such as creating watertight contracts, developing policies and operating procedures, and reaching out to potential clients.

I draw deeply from my own experiences building an agency, but tailor my advice around Daisy’s specific context, goals, and strengths.

I’ve been running mentoring sessions for three months now, and it’s been an absolute joy. I love sharing what I’ve learned over the years as I’ve built my own business. It’s so satisfying to help clients get clear on their path forward and to cheer them on as they work towards their dreams.

And when she wrote to me after our last session to say,

“You’re amazing. I grow every time we meet.”

I’ll admit, I got a little emotional, because that’s exactly why I do this.

If you’re an interpreter who’s dreaming of growing your own business — and doing it with clarity, confidence and a little cheerleading along the way — join the waitlist for my mentoring programme.

I only take on a small number of mentees at a time, but I’d love to hear from you.

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Behind the scenes at Dior’s D-Journey Bag launch

Stepping into the world of haute couture as an interpreter requires a seamless blend of linguistic precision and cultural fluency, much like the elegant stitching that defines Dior’s creations themselves.

This month I was honoured to be interpreting for the exclusive European launch of Dior’s latest masterpiece: the D-Journey bag — unveiled on the Spring/Summer 2025 catwalk and envisioned by Maria Grazia Chiuri as a hands-free companion for modern life, blending practicality with Dior’s signature macrocannage and timeless elegance.

I had the privilege of lending my voice to Agnès, one of Dior’s master artisans who travelled from her atelier in Florence to demonstrate the exquisite craftsmanship behind the new D-Journey bag to an exclusive group of valued clients.

This versatile creation has already been dubbed the “ultimate must-have” by Rosamund Pike, and I was honoured to help share its story in real time.

Designed for ultimate versatility, the strap system allows for seamless transitions between cross-body, shoulder, and hand-carry options. One of the standout features is the fine gold lettering, which requires meticulous polishing — each letter is treated individually to achieve the desired brilliance and optimal light reflection. These elements are applied manually using a precision-controlled machine that becomes, quite literally, an extension of the artisan’s hand.

For this assignment, my soft skills mattered just as much as linguistic precision. This wasn’t just about translating words. It was about weaving a magical brand experience for Dior’s most valuable customers, Dior ambassadors and A-listers.

When someone is investing in a Dior bag, they’re not just buying a product. They’re buying a story, a memory and a deeply personal immersion into the elegant world of Dior.

During this four-day launch event, I became part of the Dior team, helping to shine a light on the artistry involved in every stitch and explaining the historical significance of each design element. I also helped Agnes to develop a warm rapport with the guests. She spoke with so much pride about her work, and it was a privilege to help her share her passion and expertise.

Having now worked with Dior for several years, I’ve built up a strong knowledge of the brand’s history and the creative process behind the bags. This allows me to contribute more proactively – anticipating questions, offering context, and helping the conversation flow naturally.

It was a joy to work with Agnes and her lovely colleagues again. I’ve got to know them quite well over the years, and I was reminded of how much trust and consistency matter in this line of work.

Of course, I needed to show up looking every bit as polished and chic as my clients for this assignment, and as a fashion lover, I had great fun styling my outfits each day. I don’t get a clothing allowance sadly, but it was a wonderful excuse to invest in my wardrobe!

Working for Dior is a dream come true for me, but I still have a couple more clients on my professional bucket list to check off. I’d love to interpret for the Royal Family or 10 Downing Street one day. So, if you know anyone who needs an Italian interpreter with discretion, diplomacy and a great handbag…😉

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