AHMAD BARAKAT
—2420 Virginia St. Apt. 105 Berkeley, CA, 94709 — +1 510 508 8746
EDUCATION
1999-2003University of Jordan – Amman, Jordan
B.A., English Language and Literature
G.P.A. 3.22, Rated Very Good
1999Ahmad Touqan Secondary School – Amman, Jordan
Tawjihi (12th grade): 90.4% Rated Excellent, 227th in Jordan
EXPERIENCE
2010-PresentU.S.Department of State–Washington, DCTranslator
Translate various types of documents on a variety of topics from Arabic to English and vice versa.
2009-PresentAl-Shabaka – The Palestinian Policy Network – USATranslator
Translate policy papers, news articles and political commentaries from Arabic to English and vice versa for the California-based NGO, Al-Shabaka.
2008-2009World Security Institute–Washington, DCTranslator
Translate articles for Arab Insight, a project of the World Security Institute. Arab Insight is an innovative journal that features authoritative analyses from Middle Eastern experts on critical regional issues and seeks to improve the relationship between the United States and the Arab world by cultivating a better understanding of the complex issues facing the Middle East among Western policy-makers and the public at large.
2006-PresentAiman Haddad – Silver Spring, MDTranslator/Editor
Translate and edit documents from Arabic to English and English to Arabic for freelance language services company based in Maryland. Mr. Haddad provides translation and editing services on a regular basis to several human rights and political organizations including the United Nations, New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, Copenhagen-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, andthe Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders. Document translations include human rights reports, press releases, funding proposals, annual and financial reports and correspondence.
2007-PresentCenter for Strategic Studies – Amman, JordanTranslator/Editor
Translate and edit documents for a prominent Jordanian think tank conducting statistical research on Jordanian public opinion and political development. Documents include poll reports, surveys, research reports and articles on political and socioeconomic topics.
2004-2007The United NationsTranslator
Provided rapporteur services to a UN-HABITAT workshop in Amman, Jordan discussing private sector housing finance in Iraq. Translated economic reports drafted by international development experts from English to Arabic for the UNDP as well as reports on domestic workers for UNIFEM.
2004-PresentVarious Clients – Jordan, USAFreelance Interpreter/Translator
Interpret and translate from Arabic to English and English to Arabic. Contributed interpretation to numerous projects including anthropological and archeological tours around Jordan. Translated documents including media articles and press releases, annual reports, correspondence, marketing materials, newsletters, and political and academic reports. Translated various reports and legal texts on issues pertaining to the situation of human rights, migration, guest workers and unemployment in the Middle East.
Clients include:
-Media organizations and publications, publishing houses – NY-based Harpers Magazine, Simon & Schuster, Inc, Jordanian Alrai Daily, VIVA Jordan -
-Human rights groups and NGOs – Club of Madrid
-Commercial enterprisesand banks – Arab Bank
-Documentary filmmakers – Full Disclosure
-Microfinance Organizations: Women’s World Banking, Microfund for Women
2007-2008The Jordan Times - Amman, JordanEditor
Edited local, Middle East and international news for Jordan’s only English daily newspaper. Designed layout for Middle East pages on a daily basis using QuarkXPress.
2004-2006The Jordan Times – Amman, JordanTranslator and Reporter
Covered wide range of national events including parliamentary sessions, cultural events, international conferences and local press conferences on a daily basis. Conducted daily interviews, both personal and telephone, as well as extensive Internet research for stories. Translated articles on a multitude of topics ranging from politics to economy to culture from Arabic to English.
2006-PresentAdult Arabic Students – Jordan, USAArabic Tutor
Tutor university and adult students using the Al-kitaab and Alif Baa curricula at various levels. Tutor advanced students in grammar, translation, reading and writing. Guide students in reading and analyzing literature, media texts, and classical texts. Designed supplementary materials for lessons incorporating cultural activities.
TRAINING COURSES
Reuters Foundation and Stanley Foundation 5-day workshop on Writing International News, September 2005 (Beirut, Lebanon)
British Embassy and Thomson Foundation 3-day workshop on Investigative Reporting Skills, August 2005 (Amman, Jordan)
Jordan Higher Media Council 3-day workshop for journalists on Economic News and Reporting, January 2005 (Amman, Jordan)
Jordan Higher Media Council 3-day workshop for journalists on Coverage of Social Issues, April 2005 (Amman, Jordan)
SKILLS
Native speaker of Arabic, fluent in written and spoken English; Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, Internet research, and Mac and Windows operating systems.