Hi! I’m Jeff.
I am an experienced editor of English-language texts and translator of German and Czech into English. I specialize in the arts and humanities, tourism, marketing, and official documents.
About Me
I’ve been working as an editor and translator for over a decade. Projects I’ve undertaken range from novels and short stories to journal articles to speeches and lectures, to name only some. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Music and German at Virginia Commonwealth University and my Master of Arts in German and Translation Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. I studied Czech at Charles University, in Prague.
What I love most about my work is the chance to listen and learn. In every project I take on, no matter the size or scope, I see it as my objective to internalize the author’s style and allow their voice to come through in accurate, fluid language.
Services
Translation
I translate from German and Czech into English. My work is characterized by clear, idiomatic writing that will give your text a vibrant new life in English! Each project has its own parameters and purpose, and I am happy to tailor my approach to your needs. My lines of communication are always open, so feel free to get in touch!
Certified Translation
Certified translations are accompanied by a statement outlining my professional qualifications and affirming the accuracy and completeness of the translated document. Certified translations are often required when dealing with government entities (e.g., when applying for a visa or obtaining a drivers license), the legal system (civil and criminal proceedings), and educational institutions (having a diploma or transcript recognized in a different country). I have extensive experience providing certified translations in these contexts, and I’d be happy to discuss how my services might fit your individual needs.
Copyediting
I will edit your English text with an emphasis on consistency, accuracy, and coherence. In addition to correcting errors in grammar and spelling, this includes pointing out unclear language, making suggestions for smoother transitions, and asking questions about logic and structure. I will also ensure terminological consistency, adherence to style requirements, and proper citation format.
Proofreading
I will check your text for spelling, grammar, typos, consistency, and proper layout. In most cases, proofreading constitutes the final check before publication. The focus here is on the details—giving your work a final coat of polish.
Reference Checks
I will check each reference in your bibliography for formatting and accuracy. In addition to ensuring that each entry is styled correctly, in accordance with publisher guidelines or a particular style guide (Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, APA, etc.), I will check for correct spelling of names and titles, as well as for correct page ranges where needed.
Selected Portfolio
Mordechay Lewy. “Jerusalem under the Skin: The History of Jerusalem Pilgrimage Tattos.” In Stigma: Marking Skin in the Early Modern World, ed. Katherine Dauge-Roth and Craig Koslofsky, 85-123. University Park: Penn State University Press, 2023. (Translator) 
Renaissance Quarterly. (Copyeditor and proofreader since 2017) 
The Robert Frost Review. (Copyeditor since 2023) 
Václav Kural. Conflict over Community? Czechs and Germans in Czechoslovakia (1918-1938). In Interwar East Central Europe, 1918-1941, by Sabrina Ramet. London: Routledge, 2020. (Translator, excerpts) 
Laurie Ruth Johnson. Forgotten Dreams: Revisiting Romanticism in the Cinema of Werner Herzog. Rochester: Camden House, 2016. (Copyeditor) 
Emblematica: Essays in Word and Image. (Copyeditor, proofreader, and typesetter from 2015 to 2018) 
Georges Hausemer. “The Fox in the Elevator.” Best European Fiction 2019, ed. Alex Andriesse. Victoria, TX: Dalkey Archive Press, 2019. (Translator) 
Jiří Kratochvil. “The Legend of Eternal Return.” Barricade: A Journal of Antifascism and Translation 1 (Spring 2018): 152–59. (Translator) 
The German Quarterly. (Copyeditor from 2015 to 2018) 
Volker Bauer, Elizabeth Harding, Gerhild Scholz Williams, and Mara R. Wade, eds. Women – Books – Courts: Knowledge and Collecting before 1800. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2018. (Copyeditor) 
Wolfgang Hildesheimer. Tynset. Victoria, TX: Dalkey Archive Press, 2016. (Translator) 
Christian Gasser. Animation.ch: Vision and Versatility in Contemporary Swiss Animated Film. Bern: Benteli Verlag, 2011. (Translator) 
John Graham and Michael Barnes. Metabolic Training: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Workout. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2023. (Copyeditor)
Jeff Castle: Translation, Copyediting, and Proofreading 