Translators Associations North America: OTTIAQ
Certifying professionals in Québec
The Order of Certified Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of Quebec (Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec, OTTIAQ) can be considered to have been founded in 1940. However, the Canadian translators association went through many changes until it reached the current designation.
In 1940, the name of Montréal Translators Society (Societé des traducteurs de Montréal, STM). Twenty five years later, the organization changed its name to Québec Translators Society (STQ). That was far from being definitive. The translation association would, in 1968, welcome to its ranks the members of the Translators Circle (Cercle des Traducteurs) and the Québec Professional Translators Corporation (Corporation des traducteurs professionnels de Québec). With this step, all three translators associations continue together the pursuit of the common goals that had always prompted them. They provide information and training for members and take the profession forward as they raise its profile.
Many years later, in 1992, to be precise, the organization becomes the Professional Corporation of Certified Translators and Interpreters of Québec (Corporation professionnelle des traducteurs et interprètes agréés du Québec , CPTIAQ).
Only two years later, the Canadian translation association becomes the Order of Certified Translators and Interpreters of Quebec (Ordre des traducteurs et interprètes agréés du Québec, OTIAQ). The extra “T” would be finally added on the 11th September 2000, with the addition of “terminologists” to the community.
A history of the Société des Traducteurs du Québec, from 1940 to 1990, has been published by the University of Ottawa Press. The book, called The Language Alchemists, is available from OTTIAQ and from certain university libraries.
Nowadays, OTTIAQ is “the largest association of language professionals in Canada”. It is an order with a reserved title and it represents nearly 2,000 members, all of them certified language professionals, working either as freelancers or as employees of translation companies.
Part of the mission of the translators association from Canada is to protect the public. The Order has adopted the goal of ensuring and promoting the competence and professionalism of its members in the fields of translation, terminology and interpretation. When it issues a permit, the Canadian translation association “attests to the competence and professionalism of an individual holding the title of certified translator, terminologist or interpreter, thereby fulfilling its mandate to protect the public”.
The Order is eager to become Québec’s reference and gathering point for translation, terminology and interpretation professionals. It is an aim that its members ensure communications amongst people of different languages and cultures.
The Canadian translators association presided by François Abraham has established an online directory for prospective clients to search for the right certified professionals who will be able to provide the required services. Abraham states that “comments and suggestions will always be taken into account” and invites everyone to “share them” with the organisation by email.
OTTIAQ puts a lot of effort in training. For many years, all that was required from a translator was that he / she was bilingual. Nowadays, translation requires higher education training and constant learning throughout the individual’s career. “Translation provides daily challenges and enrichment.” The Canadian translation association has a deal with six Québec universities which offer translation programmes recognised by OTTIAQ: Concordia University, Université de Montréal, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université Laval, McGill University and Université de Sherbrooke.
Certification: added value for everyone
Only members of OTTIAQ who are in good standing can practise under the title of Certified Translator in Québec. Certified professionals have their skills recognised by the Order, which makes them true professionals.
According to Québec’s translators association, “certification can open doors to both employers and customers”. Through membership of OTTIAQ, you are validating your skills and your professionalism. The certification seal is a “a guarantee of quality that can help you obtain mandates for the translation of official documents, contracts with the federal government or a position with a translation firm or department”.
As you join OTTIAQ, you become part of “a well-established network of language professionals”. Furthermore, you gain access to various services that support your commitment towards the provision of professional quality services.
Some benefits of OTTIAQ membership
As a member of this translation association from Canada, other than the professional title, you gain the right to be in the online directory. You are also able to access job offers posted on the organisation’s website. There is exclusive information in the members’ section of the webpage.
You are also eligible for the continuing education programme, as well as for invitations to attend events organised by the order: annual conference, international translation day, etc. Through Circuit Magazine, you reach up-to-date information on language-related activities. You can also participate in OTTIAQ’s online discussion forum and networking opportunities.
Keep in mind that Canada’s two main languages are English (58.8 % of the population) and French (23.2 %). In Québec, almost 82% of the population speaks French. Around the world, there are around 328 million native English speakers (the actual figures are estimated to be much higher), whereas French native speakers are about 125 millions.
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