About

WHAT WE DO

Although we have mainly served the Mechanical Engineering and Oil & Gas industries, our work has spread to other areas, such as Economics, Architecture, Medical Research and General Business, and we pride ourselves in the team of technical experts that work with us to ensure accuracy and quality in the service we provide to our clients. We have performed interpretation services for individuals and general business meetings and presentations, as well as occasional City Court appearances to interpret for Portuguese-speaking individuals.

HOW WE ARE GROWING

Our services have also extended to the teaching of Portuguese to English-speaking individuals who wish to have a living and working knowledge in the Portuguese language. We also do voice-overs in Portuguese.

Her love of foreign languages started at an early age when attending school in her country, and was enhanced while living abroad. Throughout her business career, spanning over 35 years of experience in Europe and the USA, Luisa has consistently used her background in languages to promote and facilitate communication between people of different cultures in both personal and business settings. Together with her expertise in setting up management systems and procedures in administrative and management capacities in the manufacturing, retail, construction and the services sectors, she is in a unique position to help clients in meeting the needs of American businesses in their dealings with foreign companies, especially those working with the Continental Portuguese-speaking countries (Portugal and African countries of Portuguese expression – Angola, Mozambique, East-Timor, Macau, Cape Verde, etc.).

In 1996 she founded Portuguese Translations & Interpretation to fill the gap in the area of bi-directional Continental Portuguese language services in the Houston area, although in the 18 years it has been in existence, Luisa has served clients in many parts of the country and abroad, by providing technical translations in the areas of Mechanical Engineering, O&G, HSE, contracts and general business, as well as interpretation (both consecutive and conference/simultaneous interpretation) for business meetings, depositions, individual court appearances, conferences, medical visits, etc.

Also in recent years, Luisa has taught English to business individuals and Portuguese to corporate groups and individuals (part-time faculty for the International Baccalaureate Program at the Awty International School and the British School of Houston). Cultural consulting has also been an area where she has been active by assisting companies desiring to establish offices in Portugal in culturally integrating their expatriate personnel.

Prior to founding Portuguese Translations & Interpretation, Luisa provided support to various businesses in developing their administrative structures, as well as assisted them with their foreign language requirements. Her ethical and no-nonsense approach to problems and delivery of solutions has helped her build a list of clients that appreciate her work and who continue to request her services.

Besides foreign languages and travel, Luisa has an avid interest in supporting programs that help disadvantaged women to seek better lives, through education and activities that enhance their existence and those of their families. She is a supporter and former volunteer of the Houston Area Women’s Center.

Luisa is a graduate of the EPIP School, a business-oriented school in Oporto, Portugal and received a Proficiency in English Diploma from the British Institute/University of Cambridge while living in Portugal. In the USA, she is an alumni of Akron University (Business Administration). Besides Portugal and the USA, she has also lived in Brazil and Spain, where her appreciation of foreign cultures was further developed. Luisa speaks fluent English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.