An Interview with our Translator

When the CCGA was officially created, the board of directors and executive underlined the collective desire to adhere to the Official Languages Act (OLA) as much as possible. Essentially, all public-facing documents and media would be presented in both official languages. Having worked with the National Energy Board (now the Canada Energy Regulator) for many years, I was aware of the challenges associated with maintaining compliance with the OLA. Industry terminology and jargon, and the abundance of acronyms, are just the start. It takes more words to convey the same message in French as it does in English and while this isn’t an issue in a document, it is a challenge when visually presenting information in English and French in an infographic or slide deck, and the ability to develop succinct social media postings in both official languages can be particularly perplexing.

To achieve all of this in a consistent voice, the CCGA needed a translator who was capable, flexible and dependable. Oh how our fortunes were answered when Nathalie Moreau with Info-Excavation in Quebec suggested Ms. Karen McGrath.

I recently connected with Karen on a personal level and asked how her role as a translator evolved.

What got you into translation?

After working many years in retail, then in marketing, I wanted to find something that would stimulate me academically. With a bachelor’s degree in marketing, I decided to pursue a new career path that would allow me to use the knowledge I had gained in the marketing field and put my interest in the French and English languages to work! Night school enabled me to get my degrees in translation while working from home.

How long have you been translating and what is the most interesting part of your work? 

Almost 20 years later, my love of languages has never diminished and has been at the forefront of my career in translation. The most interesting part of my work is without a doubt the knowledge and vocabulary I have acquired through various translation contracts. From the specialized terminology required in various fields such as state-of-the-art technologies in the aerospace industry or damage prevention relative to excavation, to understanding “legalese,” in-depth research is essential. I am very passionate about aerospace, construction, work safety, law, food services and, of course, damage prevention.

Not only do I translate documents, I also act as a safety net for my clients. When I come across a typo, a discrepancy or a poorly structured sentence in the original text, I advise the client so that changes can be made, either by me or the client. Apart from the translation services I offer, I also review and edit texts and documents. Whether in English or in French, all the work delivered to and used by my clients is first-rate. If the saying “you are what you eat” were applied to translation, then it would follow that a “company’s image is how it communicates in writing.” Surrounding myself with experts and knowledgeable people helps me find the right word or expression or terminology to better convey the meaning of what is to be translated. In numerous instances, they have validated a translation, a term or a context. These experts have helped me through the years to become the translator I am today.

How has technology, such as Google Translate, impacted translation services?

A translator must have a curious mind, while being unafraid to do the necessary legwork and persevering. Thorough research must be the top priority for the translator to acquire the vocabulary and subject matter vernacular to deliver top-quality work. The meaning of a word may vary depending on the context in which it is written. Machine translation (MT) such as Google Translate, in some instances, can help someone find the translation for a specific word or term, but it is the translator, knowing the context, who is in the best position to choose the most appropriate word or expression. MTs simply cannot make that choice.

What has been some of your most challenging work?

Three particular contracts come to mind:

The first most challenging work was definitely translating the CCGA White Paper presented by Senator Grant Mitchell before the Senate Committee toward introducing Bill-233 (Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Act). The vocabulary in the parliamentary transcript was completely new to me. Not only did I need to ensure that it remained consistent throughout the various related documents, but that it also matched the terminology used by government translators. It was truly the most rewarding experience of my career.

The second most challenging work was when I was asked to translate documents aimed at the construction industry. The terminology used related to safety equipment manuals (harnesses, lifelines, anchors, etc.) and safety protocols (Building Code, CNESST, work positioning, etc.) for construction work done from heights. Fortunately, I was able to speak with various experts, who graciously answered my questions and made corrections when necessary. Twelve years after that first contract, I am proud to say that I still continue doing business with this particular client.

The third was when I translated documents and PowerPoint presentations for a client in the aerospace industry. The terminology used related to cutting-edge technologies. I cannot stress enough that thorough research is essential in providing accurate, high-quality translation. To this day, I am still their go-to person when an external translator is required.

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Over the last number of years, it has been a pleasure working with Karen on countless articles, presentations, documents, reports and social media postings. There is never a challenge too great for her and she seems to relish them whenever they land in her inbox. Thanks to her, the CCGA has been able to continually meet its objective as a national damage prevention authority in both official languages!