Bilingual? Turn your language skills into a rewarding career

With the highest rates of bilingualism in the country, Montreal is the ideal place from which to launch a career in French/English translation.

And, if you are one tens of thousands of Montrealers who speak and write French and English equally well, translation can be a flexible and lucrative way to earn a little extra income on the side – or open up a whole new career.

There are several opportunities for trained translators including but not limited to: copywriting, technical or scientific translation, business, legal or judicial translation, literary translation, along with closed captioning and subtitle translation.

It’s a great career choice if you wish to work from home or are often on the road. The ease of virtual work means you aren’t restricted to working only in your own city, or even from one location. And with bilingualism rates in the rest of Canada that pale in comparison to Quebec’s (with the exception of New Brunswick), you will find plenty of opportunities well outside the province.

To train as a translator or interpreter, look for a program that exposes you to many different forms of translation. You’ll get a feel for what kind of work is the best fit for you, and the areas you may want to specialize in.

Translation courses, like the online courses offered by UBC Continuing Studies, provide training that can pave the way to additional certifications with associations such as the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council.

Chantale Roy, a translator with over 20 years of experience, teaches the online course French Translation for UBC Continuing Studies.

“Translation is both art and science,” explains Roy, who lives in Quebec. “Different translation techniques, combined with the ability to feel the meaning of a text, allow a reader to access the wonderful world of a second or a third language.”

UBC Continuing Studies offers programs for those fluent in English and French, as well as other languages including Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. Find out more online and start developing your skills in this dynamic field.