I am an American Translators Association-certified English-to-German translator in the areas of electronics, telecommunications, computer software and hardware, as well as corporate communications. My niche specialties are optics and image processing with related fields video, photography, and printing. Visit my profile at LinkedIn, or e-mail me using the form below.

In case you are trying to Google me, please note that I am not the attorney Michael Wahlster in the San Diego area!

I started out compiling entries in the dictionary department of Collins Publishers in Scotland. From there, it was a relatively small step to translating, not least since it gave me the opportunity to drill down into the many different subjects I was interested in. Once I was able to purchase an IBM Selectric in 1979 for more money than most computers cost today, I thought I had arrived. Little did I know.

In Tokyo during the 80s, I incorporated, hired in-house translators and designers, and branched out into phototypesetting and layout. The ventures were quite successful, but they taught me that what I wanted to do was translate, not run a business. In the early 90s, I divested myself and concentrated on translation work. I have been a full-time freelance translator ever since, working for agencies and direct clients in the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and Hong Kong.

What I bring to the table is a wealth of experience in my core subjects, solid writing skills in my native language, the humility to stay away from what I don’t know, and the insight of having been “on the other side,” i.e. coordinating translation projects for many years. As a balance to my translation work, I am offering web development for local clients, and I have been writing this blog since 2003 – mainly about translation and translation-related subjects, but not entirely. “All work and no play”, we all know where that can lead to.