“James Thomas is a most accomplished translator, from French and, impressively, from Catalan, and from Occitan, on the language, literature and culture of which he has become a leading voice. Just take a look at his masterly Grains of Gold, the comprehensive bilingual anthology of Occitan literature which he edited and published in 2015.   That volume was a winner of an English Pen Award. I had the pleasure of supervising James's work for his MA in Literary Translation, work of the highest standard from the start, scholarly and creative. Currently, James is in the early stages of translating a novel by the prize-winning Belgian/French writer Jean-Pierre Orban. I'm looking forward to that, and to more.”

Martin Sorrell, Emeritus Professor of French & Literary Translation, University of Exeter

“Grains of Gold is a major cutting-edge work. It is one of the few text-and-translation volumes covering Occitan literature from the beginning to the immediate contemporary, and the only one of this scope with translation into English. Thomas's versions are precise and accurate; they also respect and reproduce, in a large measure, the feel and the diction of the originals.”

William Calin, Graduate Research Professor, Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Florida

“James produces excellent, considered and inventive translations into English from Spanish, French and Catalan. His qualification in Wine and Spirits (WSET Advanced) is invaluable for understanding the specialist vocabulary of the wine industry and his translations are always precise, accurate and delivered on time.”

Carol Jordan, Vinglish