Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 | 6 a.m.

Judy Jenner

Judy Jenner is a linguist, translator and interpreter. Now, add industry ambassador to the list as well.

Jenner, who was born in Vienna, Austria, and grew up in Mexico City, runs Twin Translations with her twin sister, who oversees a Vienna office for the company. The Europe office opened in 2002, while Las Vegas operations commenced in 2008.

In Nevada, Jenner’s translation work ranges from small business clients, to individuals, to Fortune 50 companies. With Latinos expected to make up nearly half of the roughly 600,000 new Nevada residents since the 2000 census, Jenner’s business will likely thrive through the coming decade.

As the vice president of the newly formed Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association, she intends to raise the bar for and further legitimize the translator field in the state.

“Languages are really part of global business. There are so many international visitors in Las Vegas. … It’s a huge point for us to elevate the quality of language services available in the state,” she said.

Using her business background, Jenner is also looking to help freelance translators create their own legitimate business enterprises around their unique skill set. Already a known speaker on the topic, she has a forthcoming book called the Entrepreneurial Linguist, due to come out this year.

“Language is so undervalued in the marketplace. People are so underpaid,” she said. “I really want to change that.”

By Brian Sodoma, Contributing writer