Between the Lines: The Art & Science of Translation (Part 2) featuring Miriam Hurley

“Another way, in addition to Speakeasy, which I really suggest that worked for me is doing an activity that people who are like minded might do. That’s the best way to build community because everyone’s looking for it. It’s one of those ironies of modern life that people feel disconnected and lonely, but we all have the same needs.” Miriam Hurley, on finding community in Florence.

In the second part of my conversation with Miriam Hurley we go beyond the intricacies of her métier and talk about making connections and finding community.

Reflecting upon the initial difficulties that she encountered meeting people and forging friendships in a city like Florence that sees so much movement within the international community, Miriam took action and co-founded, with Lexie Cimko, Speakeasy Multilingual Florence, which organizes multilingual language exchange events in Florence and offers a wealth of resources and advice to locals and visitors alike.

A true community builder and leader, Miriam is also deeply invested in facilitating the lives of temporary and permanent residents, locals and foreigners alike, whether it be through her translation work, Speakeasy Multilingual, or the multitude of information and connections that she offers in a sincere, welcoming, and very heartfelt way.

To this end, she also shares with us her vision for a versatile physical space that would serve the community in a multitude of ways by bringing together professionals who can offer various types of services as well as providing a venue for social, creative, and networking events.

Finally, as two long term US expats in Florence, we compare notes on the many ways the city has changed over the last couple of decades.

Miriam Hurley Biography & Links

I grew up in Astoria, Oregon, known to some as land of The Goonies. For college, I escaped to New York and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with focuses on cultural anthropology and foreign languages. Over two decades of full-time professional experience as a certified translator from Italian to English. Certified since 2001 by the American Translators Association specifically to translate from Italian to English. I also speak — but do not translate — Dutch (rusty but once fluentish), French (pretty decent), and Spanish (downright abominable). I organize language exchange events in Florence so I can brag about being multilingual (and work on improving my languages). Studied in Florence in 1994 at the Sarah Lawrence program and the University of Florence. Based in Florence, I keep one foot still in the U.S., spending long stretches there, keeping my native tongue fresh.