ITI Profile: Clarisse Tchatchou Junior Associate
I am a recent MA Translation graduate with Distinction from London Metropolitan University, where I also completed a BA Honours (First Class) in 2023. In addition to my academic achievements, I am a proud single mother of four incredible children who have supported me unwaveringly throughout this journey.
How did I get here? Becoming a professional translator was never part of the plan I envisioned for myself, which was once inspired by the romantic novels of Barbara Cartland. My early ambitions revolved around family, motherhood, and the dream of a “happily ever after”—with no professional career on the horizon. However, in my mid-twenties, my life took a turn when I embarked on missionary journeys to the Middle East, North Africa, and my home country of Cameroon. During these years, I contributed to making a meaningful impact through the development and implementation of Education for Social Justice programs. My linguistic skills proved invaluable in facilitating cross-cultural communication, and I found great fulfilment in taking on translation and interpreting roles—despite having no formal training in the field at the time.
When my mission work concluded, I made the life-changing decision to leave everything behind and move to the UK, aiming to build a family and settle down. But life, as it often does, presented unexpected twists and turns. My vision for the future evolved, and with the encouragement of a dear friend who saw potential in me that I had not yet recognised in myself, I was inspired to step out of my comfort zone and pursue a career in translation.
In 2021, I joined the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) as a Student Member, a suggestion from one of my lecturers. I was fortunate that my university offered a free year of student membership, and upon renewing, I quickly recognised the numerous benefits of staying involved. I recently progressed to the newly established Junior Associate category, which marks a significant milestone in my professional journey.
Being an active ITI member has provided me with invaluable resources, particularly the webinars and training sessions, which have been key to my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). I deeply appreciate the creativity and tireless efforts of the ITI leadership in developing strategies to meet the needs of members at every stage of their careers—from students to established MITIs. Moreover, joining both my local network and the ITI French Network in 2023 has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with other professionals and gain the support I need to transition into the industry confidently after graduation. I am particularly excited about the mentorship programs, business coaching, and training grants available within the French Network, and I look forward to leveraging these resources as I shape my career and eventually establish myself as a freelancer.
In 2024, I had the honour of joining the Membership Committee, where we work collaboratively to strategise membership growth, enhance the member experience, and foster engagement within the ITI community. One initiative I am especially proud of is the Dissertation Showcase (featured on the Trends and Research page), which allows students to share their work and knowledge with fellow members. It’s an honour to see my MA research published alongside that of others on this valuable platform.
I have also been exploring the world of literary translation. I was fortunate to receive a bursary to attend the Bristol Translates Summer School in July 2024, an immersive experience that provided deep insight into the world of literary translation. Later in the year, I participated in the EU Conference on Literary Translation in Strasbourg, which offered further opportunities to learn about the challenges facing literary translators today. Networking with professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds was one of the highlights of this experience.
As I continue my journey, I am currently seeking an in-house position at a translation company where I can further develop the skills I’ve acquired over the past four years of study. My goal is to find a niche where I can truly thrive and make a lasting impact in the field of translation.
