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Translation

Distilling experience and vibe

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Distilling experience and vibe

I bridge languages and cultures seamlessly, with experience translating diverse texts: from technical guides and legal contracts to marketing content and literary prose.

I also translate song lyrics to be sung like the original, reconstructing the rhyming and references while maintaining rhythm and style. At Google and Waze, I led cross-company initiatives improving localization quality for billions, impacting all products.

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My aparoach

I go about translations as a UX project: first researching the text’s goal, audience, style, and constraints.

The result is often a transcreation: rather than a literal translation, I recreate the text to work well across cultures and locales. I collaborate closely with writers to tailor the perfect solution for each project.

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Boomin'

Jimbo J

Songs, Hebrew → English

Singing version

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Released just before October 7th, this song became an instant hit for its raw portrayal of life near Gaza - where residents have only 15 seconds to find shelter. The song opens with childlike language as Jimbo explains to his daughter their sudden departure, shielding her from the reality of the missiles. It then pivots to sharp, cynical, and layered commentary on the situation. The translation captures both distinct voices, recreating the original rhythm, rhyme, and phonetic sound.

Another Day in Gaza

Noam Tsuriely

Songs, Hebrew → English

Singing version

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This song earned Noam a “Breakthrough of the Year” nomination on Israeli radio. Written during his reserve service in Gaza following October 7th, it explores the soldier's experience: the wish to protect, the fear of death, the loss of brothers-in-arms, and the call to live a worthy life. The translation recreates the intricate wordplay of the chorus alongside the original rhythm and rhyme, supported by deep research into military slang and terminology.

Cats

Jimbo J & Ravid Plotnik

Songs, Hebrew → English

Subtitle version

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A hit by two of Israel’s most beloved rappers, this song climbed the charts with the story of a wordsmith struggling to find the words for a high-school crush. I translated the lyrics to be singable, replacing local Israeli song references with American classics that mirror the original message, rhyme, and rhythm.

White Sail

Jimbo J

Songs, Hebrew → English

Subtitle version

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Nominated for “Song of the Year” on the radio and featured on TV shows, this song became an Israeli anthem in 2025. The song explores the Israeli experience following October 7th, witnessing a home become unrecognizable and weighing the decision to remain or leave. Completed in just one day, the translation uses creative solutions to preserve the nuanced slang and cultural references.

I did It

Jimbo J

Songs, Hebrew → English

Subtitle version

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A nationwide viral hit with millions of views, this song was even parodied on Israel’s equivalent of SNL and had an episode of the national media channel’s podcast dedicated to it. It critiques how modern Hebrew slang flattens language by replacing descriptive verbs with a generic “do.” The translation required creative linguistic shifts and deep research to mirror this effect in English.

What's in a Name

Jimbo J

Songs, Hebrew → English

Subtitle version

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A song exploring the singer’s relationship with his alter ego, Jimbo J. The original hinges on a Hebrew pun on the word for "name," which is also a synonym for "God." Since this double meaning is lost in English, I transcreated the lyrics to instill a sense of sanctity, giving the chorus a religious vibe that complements its musical style. The translation also required finding American cultural alternatives for local Israeli references while preserving the original’s flow.

The Place that I Call Home

Jimbo J

Songs, Hebrew → English

Subtitle version

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Written by three artists: Jimbo J, Orit Tashoma, and Avraham Legasa, this song explores their hometowns and the complexities of life in the Israeli periphery. The added challenge here was to recreate their distinct creative voices, painting a unique picture for each artist while maintaining their specific writing styles. I found creative ways to rephrase local references and preserve the rhythm, ensuring the soul of each story translated across cultures.
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