Spanish Instructor Translates Book

From staff reports

Michael Brunelle

Barron’s Educational Series Inc. recently published a book translated by Michael Brunelle, adjunct instructor of Spanish.

“Metal: Forming, Forging, and Soldering Techniques,” by José Antonio Ares, was originally published by Editorial Parramón in Spain, where the author is a professor of metalworking at the University of Barcelona.

Working in metal requires a considerable amount of specialized knowledge and practical skill. This book presents a basic overview of the science of metallurgy, discusses required tools, safety equipment and metalworking methods. Detailed chapters cover such techniques as welding, shaping and cutting metals as a means of fashioning art objects and practical items.

A variety of beautiful and useful objects are shown as they are being made in a series of step-by-step photos. Objects include weathervanes, wrought-iron decorative fixtures for inside and outside the home, trays, tables and imaginative sculptures. Students are instructed in how to work with iron, aluminum, copper, zinc and several other metals.

Brunelle has translated dozens of books on fine arts, woodworking, stained glass and mosaic. This is his 29th translation to be published by Barron’s. He is presently translating a book called “Line” about the role of the line in drawing and painting.

Michael collaborates with his wife Beatriz Cortabarria on these and other translation projects that include documents, technical specifications and Web content for various translation agencies and private companies. Beatriz is an adjunct professor in the University of Virginia School of Continuing Education, and a language consultant for private industry.

Together, Brunelle and Cortabarria also have translated books on architecture and interior design for Spanish publishing companies that were later published in the United States by Harper Collins and Rizzoli, and they recently finished a book on watercolors for Sterling Publishing in New York.

They live in Charlottesville with their two children, daughter Jone and son Michael. 

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