Octavio Melendez

Cel: 786-302-0221  e-mail:

OBJECTIVE
To obtain a freelance position as a Portuguese and Spanish translator and proofreader, where I can apply my linguistic knowledge and five year experience.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Comprehensive translating experience, native Brazilian Portuguese and Latin American Spanish skills ensure that translations read easily and naturally as if originally written in that language. Particularly aware of the cultural aspects that make many translations delicate. Highly committed to the quality, translations are meticulously proofread, checking for correct spelling, grammar and accurate information. Currently working as a free-lance translator, specialized in the leisure and travel industry. Other areas in which I am particularly knowledgeable: subtitles in general, advertising and marketing, websites, technology, education and journalism. Samples are available on request.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
working experience
Free-lance English to Portuguese Translator and Proofreader
Subtitles / 150+ movie captioning, TV and cable series including:
Cable programs: World's Greatest Spas (6 episodes). Encounters with the Unexplained (20 episodes).
Promotional videos: Starwood Preferred Guest TV, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts TV spot, Westin Heavenly Bed launch, Westin Workout powered by Reebok and Fitness Tips spot.
Travel / Sojourn magazine (in-room magazine for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America). Translation of stories on Latin America destinations, culture, travel and leisure.
Tourico Tour Operator: translation of their Tour Brochures and Hotel Descriptions.
Advertising / Translation of ads for Sheraton and Westin hotels in Latin America.
Portuguese versions of all Collateral material for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America (hotel brochures, loyalty marketing programs, e-newsletters/emailings, manuals,
Corporate / Business communications for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, BP Natural Gas, Citigroup, Sheraton Rio Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites, among other companies.
Press releases for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America.
Gastronomy / Hotel menus, Gastronomic Festivals, etc.
Websites / Translations for localized El Sitio website in Brazil. Interactive E-learning modules for Ilvem.
Free-lance Portuguese to Spanish / Spanish to Portuguese translator
Subtitles / Cable programs: World's Greatest Spas (6 episodes). Encounters with the Unexplained (20 episodes).
Corporate / Business communications for BP Natural Gas, among other companies
Spanish Language Manager for Internationalization Project
July – October 2004 /
  • Worked as a contractor on the internationalization project for Starwood Hotels and Resorts (including all of its brands Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin, Four Points, Luxury Collection and St. Regis as well as other related websites).
  • Responsibility included glossary development/maintenance, implementation of language guidelines to streamline and uniform the translation process, post-editing and verification stage. Challenge to build one Universal Spanish website with the approval of key players in Latin America and Spain.
  • Proofreading and editing of translated material for correctness, appropriateness, accuracy and target language fluency.

Portuguese Professor
Institutes / InLingua (Aventura, FL and Miami, FL), The Language Institute (Fort Lauderdale).
In-company / Citigroup, Western Union.
Individuals / Classes for individual students and small groups.
Copywriter-Journalist
Newspapers / O Estado de São Paulo: largest Brazilian newspaper in São Paulo, Brazil. Internship in the MERCOSUR section, research, reporting and Portuguese translations.
Belgrano Vive: Sports and Cultural section of a community newspaper in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Magazines / Sojourn in-room magazine: articles on Latin American culture and destinations
Websites / Bom Dia Mercosul: electronic newsletter in Buenos Aires. Reporter and Portuguese translations.
Tecto: Freelance writer for a Brazilian architecture site.
EDUCATION
1998 – 2003 / Universidad de Buenos Aires
Major: Communications, specializing in Journalism Buenos Aires, Argentina
1996 – 2000 / Instituto de Enseñanza Superior Lenguas Vivas “J. R. Fernández”
Major: Portuguese Linguistics Buenos Aires, Argentina
1988 – 1990 / Colégio “Equipe” (High School) São Paulo, Brazil
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
1991 – 1992 / Pontificia Universidade Católica (P.U.C.)
Major: Physics. 2 years completed São Paulo, Brazil
Computers / Windows XP and Office 2003. MS Proofing Tools 2003. Adobe Acrobat 6. WordFast translation tools. Broad knowledge of Internet and web search. Internationalization of websites to Portuguese or Spanish
Languages / Portuguese: Native
Spanish: Mother tongue
English:Intermediate
Italian: Basic conversation
HOBBIES
Reading, travel, languages, music, sports, surfing on the Internet.
REFERENCes
Available upon request.

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