“You cannot help but learn more as you take the world into your hands. Take it up reverently, for it is an old piece of clay, with millions of thumbprints on it.”
“Shall I tell you a secret of a true scholar? It is this: Every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that, I learn from him.”
“To learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth. Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps.”
Herzlich Willkommen bei Into-English-Translations!
Dr Sophie Louisa Bennett
Originally a comprehensive school educated pupil and first person in my family to attend university, I had the great privilege of studying German and Swedish at Cambridge from 1987 to 1991 under Erika Swales, Jo Whaley, AnneMarie Künzl-Snodgrass, Göran Printz-Påhlson and Rikard Schönström (amongst others). Subsequently, I obtained the Institute of Linguists Diploma in Translation, having taken evening classes under Kate Sturge at City University from 1997 to 1998. I have a lifelong love of languages and in particular a long association and interest in Germany, its culture, history, geography and language. Although I started off as a Germanistin, growing up in a rural area I have always been interested in the natural world, eventually completing a PhD in Conservation Biology and becoming involved in biological recording at a local level.
My first flower ID experience dates back to 1980, when I recorded Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) in a ditch near my primary school and the altogether more exciting Linaria vulgaris (Common Toadflax) from Farmer Tommy’s ‘feilds‘ (sic). These primitive biological records were scribbled in biro, in a childish hand, at the back of my Observer’s Book of Wild Flowers (Francis Rose) – a 1979 reprint and present from my godmother. As children, my sister and I also had one or two Ladybird books from the corner shop. My botanical knowledge has developed somewhat since then! And I’m still learning. Same goes for my German. And other languages.
I am a practitioner of gardening for wildlife and biological recording and would advocate both activities for anyone interested in supporting our Natural World. As a mature student, I studied conservation biology (with animal behaviour and animal welfare, and quite a few other things besides…) as a mature student at the University of Lincoln and wrote my PhD on the subject of invertebrate biodiversity in farmland non-crop habitats.
For the last 20 years+ my interests have been focused on environmental matters and sustainability, conservation biology, in particular woodland and agricultural ecosystems, and renewable energy. I’ve also recently spent some time in medical devices administration and purchasing, am an ad hoc ‘patient reviewer’ for a British medical journal and have voluntary experience in the healthcare system and for healthcare charities. I’ve also volunteered extensively for ‘green’ organisations and local groups, including local government in an unpaid voluntary capacity for circa 7 years, including as Chair of the Parish Council, where I chaired some very ‘interesting‘ meetings on a variety of local issues and also had the honour of attending and speaking at various events on behalf of my community.
Last, but not least, I am a neuroendocrine (pancreatic) cancer patient with metastatic disease. World Neuroendocrine Cancer Day is 10th November, this year as every year. I have lived experience of childhood eating disorder, bullying, anxiety and depression, and associated issues with anger management. For which the film does not help.
Dr Sophie Louisa Bennett
Original July 2022, last updated 26 October 2023
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