McGill Associates Prize in Translation (English-French): Sophie Désautels

Montreal, June 2011 – Although translation per se is the work of the vast majority of translators, some apply their skills in related areas. According to Industry Canada’s Survey of the Language Industry, 3% of translators work as editors and, as such, are responsible for quality control at the end of the translation process. Sophie-Audrey Désautels, who was awarded the McGill Associates Prize in Translation (English-French) at McGill’s 2011 Convocation Ceremony, is one of the select few who are involved in all stages of the translation process. The prize she received is awarded annually to the student with the best academic record in the Certificate in Translation.

Translation and editing have been dual aspects of Ms Désautels’ career in her studies and work. After receiving a B.A. in history and anthropology at McGill, she went on to complete a graduate diploma in editing at the University of Sherbrooke. During her studies in Sherbrooke, she had the opportunity to work as an editorial intern with the Groupe Ville-Marie Littérature, a Quebecor company that services a number of important Quebec publishers. Proofreading, revising texts, and copyediting piqued Ms Désautels’ interest in linguistic quality control and made her aware of the pertinence of translation activities in Quebec’s cultural industries.

Concurrently, she started taking courses in McGill’s translation program, completing her Certificate in Translation with brio in the 2011 Winter Term. Meanwhile, she continued working in the language industry as an administrative assistant in a Montreal-based translation agency specialized in health sciences, technology and administration. This experience helped her become knowledgeable about the business aspects of the industry.

Then, adding yet another feather to her cap and honing her professionalism, Ms Désautels embarked on a new project by enrolling in McGill’s Graduate Diploma in Translation.

“Sophie’s drive, enthusiasm and sense of excellence in all she undertakes will make her a valued contributor to Canada’s expanding language industries,” pointed out McGill’s Director of Translation Studies, James Archibald, underlining the links between high-level bilingualism, quality management and business acumen. “Student translators like Sophie will be a great asset in strengthening our translation community,” he added.

McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies offers both a Certificate in Translation and a Graduate Diploma in Translation for apprentice translators interested in the language industry.