My name’s Ayla. What’s yours?
Zinnenwerk is my freelancer alias. Because if you’re starting a business, why not give it a fun name?
The Neverending Story was probably among the first movies I watched in English with Dutch subtitles. It made such a mark on me as a kid, because it represented a fiery passion for words, books and stories, which I was so drawn towards.
My love for languages has never died down, and I’m so grateful I get to enter new worlds everyday through translation and subtitling.
I was always wondering where my linguistic brain would get me.
At Ghent University, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish literature and linguistics. All of my fellow students were book worms and language nerds, so I felt right at home. I even swapped out Ghent for Newcastle University for six months as part of an Erasmus program.
Then, covid hit. Nonetheless, I got my master’s degree in translation, specialized in Dutch, English and Spanish. My internships at various FilmFest Gent, Filmfestival Oostende and as a student-entrepreneur really got me into subtitling.
After two years of working as a full time subtitler at the Flemish Public Broadcasting Company, I took a leap and went freelance.
In the meantime, I’m working on getting my master’s degree in secondary education.
Aside from that, I try to enjoy a busy social life, filled with lots of movement, travels, music festivals, concerts, cozy nights in, good food and good company.
Nonetheless, my clients are my number one priority. You ask, and I’m on it.