This page and following sections were online during Spring 1999 in preparation for our Forum for Translators, and therefore make reference to events which have already passed. They remain here for future reference.

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Forum for Translators

Final preparations are underway for Scientific Technical Translation Inc.’s forum, "Introduction to Professional Translation", to be held on Saturday, May 29, 1999 at the Deep River Yacht and Tennis Club. This discussion-based forum promises to be of interest to those considering translation as a career. Working translators, technical writers, and students will have an opportunity to learn more, and to network with their peers. Guest speakers will present topics that range from translation as a second career based on life experiences, to software tools and accounting for the freelancer. The resource centre will also feature reference materials, software demonstrations and online links to sites of interest.

The keynote address, "Translation: Putting all your Experience to Work", will be delivered by Paul Adams, an Ottawa-based translator and interpreter with over 25 years experience. As President of Atlantis Communications Ltd., Mr. Adams combines the running of a translation company with interpretation assignments for international political and business leaders, including Prime Minister Chrétien. Mr. Adams’ talk will focus on translation as a profession that suits people with life experiences, as well as professional experience in specific fields.

The first session of the forum, "The Professional Translator, and the Professional Translation", will feature three speakers from the Deep River area. Fenela Childs, a Swedish to English translator with official accreditation in Sweden, will talk about "Working Internationally". Ms. Childs, who worked for ten years as a radio journalist in Stockholm before switching to translation and film voice-overs, will give a personal account of the pros and cons of living in a different country than your client.

Heather Martin, an A.T.I.O-certified French to English translator, will present her version of "A Legal Translator’s Experience". Ms. Martin, who has over 25 years translation experience, will focus on issues surrounding specialised translation, including the use of Internet resources for background governmental and legal research.

Yuki Aikawa, a student of English to Japanese translation, will explain what it is like to be "A Mathematician Studying to be a Japanese Technical Translator". Ms. Aikawa, a Ph.D. course graduate of Tsuda College, Tokyo, Japan, uses the Internet to study translation, and she is currently being mentored by one of the top technical translators in Japan.

The afternoon session, "Thriving in Today’s World: Tools for the Professional Translator", will focus on making the freelance translator’s life more productive. Alastair McIvor, a safety engineer at AECL who also runs Cut-Throat Technical Consultancy, a web page design company, will talk about using PCs in technical business. Mr. McIvor will discuss their strengths and weaknesses, applications, problems and shortcuts. Particular focus will be given to using the Internet effectively.

Hélène Grondin, CMA, will introduce "Accounting for the Freelance Translator". Ms. Grondin will talk about the tax consequences of working from a home office, including deductible expensing, claiming of assets, GST, record keeping, foreign income, tax returns, and other important money issues.

Saulius Fidleris, STTI, will discuss and demonstrate various "Software Tools for Translation". Applications discussed will range from translation aids to graphics editors. In addition, Mr. Fidleris will give a separate presentation on "Software Localisation – Translation’s Fastest Growing Sector", a growing US$2 billion industry. This talk will focus on the issues surrounding the conversion of a software application from one language to another. Mr. Fidleris will discuss how translation is just one aspect of localisation.

To help forum attendees make it through the day, treats will accompany the day’s proceedings, culminating in a lunch of German, Greek, Indian, Japanese and Lithuanian delights. The cost for the all-day forum is $40 ($20 for students).

Registration forms can be found here, or by phoning (613) 584-9835. Completed forms can be faxed to (613) 584-9834, or you can register over the phone.