I was invited again to interpret at a training course for helicopter technicians—just like last year.
Three weeks of theory and one week of practice, a huge amount of technical information, complex diagrams, and terminology.

They joked that after this time, I could get certified and teach the course myself.
All participants successfully passed the exams—my job is done.

It's especially gratifying when I'm invited back—that's the best indicator of client trust.

Some useful terms:

Charge - шихта
Silica - кремнезем
Alumina - глинозем
Reducing agent - восстановитель
Ash content - зольность
Strength - прочность
High melting point - тугоплавкость

Five days among furnaces, machines, and engineering jargon.

Terms I worked with:
• Copper rod — медная катанка
• Holding furnace — миксер
• Melting furnace — плавильная печь
• Casting wheel — литейное колесо
• Rolling mill — прокатный стан
• Upper/lower launder — верхний/нижний желоб
• Lathe — токарный станок
• Stand — клеть
• Rolls — валки
• Incandescent lamp — лампа накаливания
• Soot — сажа, копоть

These projects are the perfect combination of technical terminology, teamwork and real-world production experience.

A seminar with a leading specialist from the development department of CTR (Central Corporation), a South Korean manufacturer of automotive components (steering, suspension, transmission), and a global supplier to major automakers.

Lots of technical information on product quality, comparisons with similar products, and counterfeits on the Kazakhstan market.

Before the seminar, we met with the speaker to discuss terminology and clarify complex issues. My previous experience working with aircraft was very helpful in this project.

I worked at an international mechanical engineering exhibition with a manufacturer of metal cutting tools.

Metal cutting terms:
• Turning — точение
• Milling — фрезерование
• Drilling — сверление
• Grinding — шлифование
• Threading — нарезание резьбы
• Tapping — нарезание резьбы метчиком
• Thread milling — фрезерование резьбы
• Tap — метчик
• Beveling — снятие фаски

An industry exhibition bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, and specialists in the paint and varnish industry.

At the exhibition, I accompanied representatives of an Indian company producing paint dryers for the paint and varnish industry.

Five weeks of intensive work with helicopter maintenance specialists.
Hundreds of new terms—from fuselage and spar to strain gauges and feeler gauges. Every evening, we spent time studying glossaries, diagrams, and video walkthroughs.

Projects like these aren't just about language. They're about adaptability, precision, and the ability to quickly understand unfamiliar systems.

The three-day workshop was supported by USAID for the Energy Transit Project.

Discussion topics included the implementation of smart metering, energy efficiency improvements, and energy consumption management tools—key elements of sustainable energy sector development.

Some terms and abbreviations:
• Grid strain — нагрузка на сеть
• Incandescent light bulbs — лампы накаливания
• TOU (Time-of-Use) — тарифы по времени потребления
• CPP (Critical Peak Pricing) — тарифы в периоды пиковых нагрузок
• ESCO (Energy Service Company) — энергосервисная компания
• CHP (Combined Heat and Power) — когенерация (совмещённая выработка тепла и электроэнергии)

The meeting focused on the application of circulating fluidized bed (FBC) technologies for carbon capture and storage (CCUS), as well as sustainable energy and low-carbon research.

This was one of the most complex and confusing topics of my career. Furthermore, my colleague and I received some of the presentations just before the translation began, which didn't make our work any easier.

My first experience working in a factory was translating at a concrete plant. Three weeks among mixers, crushers, and endless discussions about cement composition.

Key terms:
• Limestone — известняк
• Clay — глина
• Kiln — печь
• Gypsum — гипс
• Fly ash — летучая зола
• Slag — шлак
• Pozzolana — пуццолан
• Gravel — гравий
• Setting time — время схватывания

This project was a great combination of technical terminology, understanding of production processes, and practical experience—I literally built my vocabulary from scratch!