The idea for Tailored Texts came about when Daniel was reading some foreign literature in the library. Someone had scribbled some very clever translations and insightful comments in the margins. He realised people must be doing this the whole world over. The margins of his books, especially when they weren't in English, were certainly covered in notes.
He asked himself: "Why not let people share those thoughts/translations? Ideas get lonely too!" and Tailored Texts was born...
The team
Meet the people behind Tailored Texts!
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Daniel Bergar Creator
Daniel Bergar is the UK-based French teacher behind the Tailored Texts project. He was inspired into making the site by his French teacher of 5 years who runs a hugely successful website www.languagesonline.org.uk and hopes that one day his own site will become a favourite hang-out for many of those who have completed his old master’s rigorous programme.
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James Shedden Designer
James is in charge of the look and feel of Tailored Texts. Daniel approached James in 2009 with an idea for "something pretty cool" that needed a bit more personality, but it quickly became clear to both of them that, as well as a mind and a face, the Tailored Texts site would also need a more fully-realised body. Starting with the core interface for book-reading and entry-making, James has since coordinated all things visual relating to the site, from the logo in the header to the colours of the links in the footer, and everything in between.
Visit James' website -
Sam Gordon
Sam completed his BA in French and Spanish followed by an MA in Translation at the University of Bristol. He currently lives in London where he works as a freelance translator and language tutor. Tailored Texts happens to combine both of these areas of amateur and professional interest – it allows translators to hone their craft while providing teachers and students with the opportunity to experience foreign languages in their richest form. He came on board in October 2011 following the site’s launch, and is responsible for bringing Tailored Texts to the attention of the wider literature- and language-loving community.
Visit Sam's website -
Nick Day Developer
Nick is the developer behind Tailored Texts who worked to bring Daniel's vision and inspiration and James' designs and ideas into reality. Nick is a freelance web developer from Manchester and works with great technologies like Django, Python and Node.js - all of which were used to develop Tailored Texts.
Visit Nick's website