For ideas with wings

Tinta Viva helps businesses, NGOs and academics scale their impact through creative human translation.
French and Spanish to English (all varieties)

I bring people into your world.

I translate and edit original texts in French and Spanish into targeted, publication-ready English, specialising in marketing, real estate, urbanism, sustainability and social science.

I help organisations and individuals create a more beautiful, sustainable and liveable world, by taking their words global, connecting with new audiences and optimising their results — whether seeking to convince, inspire, seduce, educate or simply inform.

My clients are building cities, changing lives, transforming industries and leading the way to a more sustainable future. They’re conducting research into issues that matter and sparking conversations. I’m here to help them reach new audiences, make meaningful connections and achieve their vision of success.

I’m here to be invisible.

What I do (and don’t)

Give your words the power to move

I take texts in French and Spanish and transform them into an English version that reads beautifully, works for your audience and helps elevate your international profile. Every project is unique, calling for a bespoke translation strategy. At the end of the process, you’ll have a publication-quality text, thoughtfully composed with your unique goals in mind.

And here’s what I don’t do: fix texts produced by Google translate or other MT platforms, revise translations done by others, give you ‘the gist’ or do your homework. That’s about it.

One more thing: to do my best work, I need to be on your side. So I only partner with organisations whose values sit comfortably with my own.

Urbanism and Real Estate

Property marketing, architecture, market analysis, valuations, sale-and-purchase agreements, development control, urban design, regeneration

Urbanism and Real Estate

Marketing

Web copy, brochures, advertising, financial and non-financial reports, corporate communications, press releases

Business and Marketing

Sustainability

ESG, climate, renewables, biodiversity, ecology, sustainable architecture and construction, campaigning

Sustainability

Social Sciences

Geography, history, political science, economics, sociology, cultural studies, philosophy, anthropology

Social Science

Why Tinta Viva?

A bit niche

You know your audience; so do I. Two language pairs: French and Spanish to English (all varieties). Five specialist areas: marketing, real estate, urbanism, sustainability and social science. I work in this space because it’s what I know best and care about most, and that’s good for everyone.
Why Tinta Viva?

A bit niche

You know your audience; so do I. Two language pairs: French and Spanish to English (all varieties). Five specialist areas: marketing, real estate, urbanism, sustainability and social science. I work in this space because it’s what I know best and care about most, and that’s good for everyone.

Smart + simple

You want to stand out, but for all the right reasons. With advanced academic qualifications and eight years’ experience in these fields, I’ll make sure your translation is publication-ready, slipping seamlessly into its context. You’ll work directly with me throughout (I never outsource), and I’m always just a quick phone call away.

Smart + simple

You want to stand out, but for all the right reasons. With advanced academic qualifications and eight years’ experience in these fields, I’ll make sure your translation is publication-ready, slipping seamlessly into its context. You’ll work directly with me throughout (I never outsource), and I’m always just a quick phone call away.

Happily human

AI and machine translation (MT) have come along way, and can do some amazing things. But true communication requires an understanding of what we are doing, and why. It requires empathy. You can’t make an impact without stepping into your reader’s shoes. Meaningful writing calls for understanding, nuance, imagination and creativity. It matters. I don’t use MT at any stage of my work. If you wouldn’t trust a robot to write your copy, then keep its tinny mits off your translation.

Happily human

AI and machine translation (MT) have come along way, and can do some amazing things. But true communication requires an understanding of what we are doing, and why. It requires empathy. You can’t make an impact without stepping into your reader’s shoes. Meaningful writing calls for understanding, nuance, imagination and creativity. It matters. I don’t use MT at any stage of my work. If you wouldn’t trust a robot to write your copy, then keep its tinny mits off your translation.
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Qualified

I am a Chartered Linguist, fully qualified member of the Institute for Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the Chartered Institute of Linguists, and bound by the codes of conduct of both institutions.  
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Reliable

Your time (and stress levels) matter, so you’ll have my direct phone number for any queries, I respond to emails within hours not days and your delivery date is set in stone — in fact, if I miss it (and it hasn’t happened yet), I’ll waive 50% of the fee.

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Flexible

I can translate your text into British, American or Australian English, conforming to any style guide or publishing guidelines you may have or my own in-house style guide by default. The tone, register, style and terminology will be carefully handled to reflect your field, audience and goals.

What’s your story?

Everything you write tells two stories. One tells us about something out in the world; the other — the quieter one — tells us about you. In translation, we need to get both stories right. Right for your values, identity and goals. Right for your field and the audience you want to reach. And right for the outcome you want to see.

The right words can persuade, educate, inform or inspire. They can sell a product, win an argument or rouse a movement. Let’s give them their due.

Thank you for your clear, precise, smooth-flowing translations. We appreciate your dedication and professionalism even when deadlines are short.   Tilly Gaillard Translation Officer | FIDH

Ruth translated one of our educational program guides and she was timely, professional and did an excellent job. She was organised and has great attention to detail. I would highly recommend her to anyone!   Emily Turner Country Manager | Education for Sharing

Thank you for your generous support toward Equity for Children. The quality of your work is outstanding. You have been responsive within minutes of a request and always delivered on time. Alberto Minujin Executive Director | Equity for Children

Ruth is a very professional and responsive linguist. She delivered a high-quality document, in full compliance with the agreed deadline. I would highly recommend her!   Project Manager | Agency Client

Ms Grant delivered an excellent translation of our Case Study. She completed her task ahead of schedule, and was very communicative, not only in the coordination of her assignment, but also in regards to her work.   María Gabriela Caram Programme Assistant | Equator Initiative

The work done by Ruth Grant has been of incredible value to me and my team at Cineuropa.org. Her in-depth knowledge of both Spanish and English shines through in her accurate, thorough translations, which we barely even had to proofread before publishing them on our website. Whatever pace we expect her to adapt to, she is able to deliver great results.   David Gonzáles Editorial Coordinator | Cineuropa

Ruth has worked with us as a true professional, responding quickly and graciously to translation requests, always returning a beautiful product on time (even early!), and taking the care necessary to make sure it meets our expectations.   Beth Inabinett Global Venture and Fellowship Team | Ashoka

Thank you so much for your personal input, for your attention to detail, for your professionalism and for delivering this project on time! I highly appreciate it.   Project Manager | Agency Client

Ruth was a pleasure to work with. She provided an exceptionally detailed and researched translation. She worked very quickly and was highly responsive via email.   Annie Virnig Strategic Advisor on Science and Policy | UNDP Equator Initiative

FAQs