Freelance Translator & Interpreter | Legal Translation Specialist | Website Localization | 30 Years of Experience

German | English | Serbian | Croatian | Bosnian | Native Bilingual German & Serbian

I am a native bilingual German and Serbian translator and interpreter specializing in legal translation and website localization, but very well versed in many other fields as well.
I have 26+ years of experience as a translator/interpreter at the German Embassy in Belgrade and as an assistant to the Head of the Department for Consular and Legal Affairs. My German–Serbian translation/interpreting and writing skills are completely bilingual and excellent – with accurate translation, precision, extensive expertise, well–researched and fluent texts.


My Professional Background and Achievements:

For more than 26 years (1989 – 2015), I was an employee of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Belgrade – Department for Consular and Legal Affairs. I mainly operated as Assistant to the Head of the Department for Consular and Legal Affairs, chiefly in the position of translator / interpreter / language mediator.

I was responsible for the bilingual communication and correspondence in legal and consular affairs with authorities at all levels and customers in diverse and complex matters, as well as for counselling and advising them concerning their inquiries and requests.

I was chiefly responsible for all translations relevant in legal and consular affairs.

My extensive experience includes translating, interpreting, editing/proofreading and working with / within laws, bilateral and international agreements, personal legal affairs, official statements and releases, such as:

• Criminal law, Criminal procedure code, Mutual assistance in criminal and civil matters, Extradition, Transfer of sentenced persons, Criminal rights, Criminal legal help
• Civil law, Family law, Succession law, Laws on parents and children, Law on personal status, Personal legal affairs
• Laws on nationality and citizenship, Passport law, Law on Residence, Law on asylum, Immigration law
• Visa procedures, Naturalization procedure, Inheritance procedures, Paternity acknowledgement process
• Official letters and documents, expert reports, verbal notes, civil status documents and other texts in a broad range of fields.


On numerous occasions I have provided interpreting during high-level meetings at a variety of Serbian government organizations, such as:

• Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior
• Ministries and their subordinate authorities, State commissions, State agencies and other national bodies for human and minority rights, refugees, displaced and internal displaced persons, readmission of persons residing without authorization, war reparations, restitution of confiscated property and others
• Civil and criminal judges, Public prosecutors, Police departments, State prisons, Social and civil services, Municipalities, Registry offices, Healthcare providers
• Foundations, Non-governmental organizations, Law offices and many others.

My working methods and working qualities are best described in the Letter of Reference, issued for me by the German Embassy in Belgrade in August 2015.
Here a small excerpt:

• “In the 26 years that Mrs. Putnik has worked for the German Embassy, she has always performed to the fullest satisfaction of her superiors; her performance and commitment, as well as her competence, frequently went beyond the call of duty. She has an outstanding knowledge of the German and the Serbian language and also very good English skills. Another distinguishing feature of Mrs. Putnik’s work is her tremendous mental grasp. She has managed her work autonomously, very meticulously and consistently reliable. Her achievements have always been outstanding, even when the pressure and her workloads were high.”

For further details, my CV and the Letter of Reference are available upon request.


Personal Background that has developed me into a highly skilled translator:

Being born by mixed German/Serbian origins and raised and educated the first 20 years of my life in Germany, I used both languages equally as mother tongue. Later, I continued my education, professional and personal life in Serbia.


Key Conclusion:

If you are looking for an experienced translator/interpreter with exceptional linguistic skills, extensive subject area knowledge, a broad general education, strong terminology research skills, with expertise in legal translation but also very well versed in many other fields, then you have found the right person! Congratulations!

Feel free to contact me at: [email protected], via Skype: tatjana-putnik

I look forward to providing you with excellent service!

~ Tatjana Putnik