BG Babel Bursary of Excellence in Translation

CONTRIBUTORS

The bursary is offered by BG Communications International Inc. and its partners by way of BG's Young Translators Consolidated Assistance Fund (YOTCAF). The YOTCAF is a private fund administered by BG and financed by several contributors. The YOTCAF's mandate is to provide assistance to future translators, promote excellence in the profession by granting bursaries to deserving students and finance the production of didactic material and professional tools.

DESCRIPTION AND GOALS (French-English category)

The "Babel Translation" bursary, worth $1,500, is awarded to the candidate who obtains the best result in a Quebec-wide French-English translation contest organised by BG Communications International Inc. The purpose of this bursary is to support new translators and promote excellence in the profession. Its goal is to help young linguists integrate themselves into the work force and promote social recognition of the profession. It also attempts to help the multi-lingual and communication services industry identify young talent and ensure the renewal of their human resources. At the dawn of the new century, BG's "Babel" fellowship aspires to be a vehicle of social awareness. In a world where the global market has become an undeniable reality, linguists are a necessary link. They are the contacts between cultures and the communication channels for the different players in the global arena.

THE TARGETED CLIENTELE

The fellowships are designed for Canada university students enrolled in the following programmes: Translation, French Studies, English Studies, Modern Languages, Linguistics or any other related programme.

ADMISSIBILITY

To be eligible, candidates must be enrolled in a university recognised by the Provincial Ministry of Education, and be registered in a full-time or part-time undergraduate programme (bachelors degree, certificate, minor or major) in Translation, Arts or Languages, as well as:

• be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, permanent resident of Canada or have a valid student visa and be undergoing the process of immigration;
  
  
• be a full-time student (12 credits per semester) or a part-time student (less than 12 credits per semester) and have completed a minimum of 70 credits for a bachelor degree, including no less than 30 credits of a Translation programme, in view of obtaining a degree (certificate, major, minor) in Translation at the time of registration;
  
  
• complete the registration form and pay the $15 administration fee; and
  
  
• register for the translation contest, comply with contest rules and respect the date, place and time of the test, as scheduled by the organisation committee.
  

PROCEDURE

BG requests that all candidates enroll in the Canada-wide translation contest. The test consists of translating a text totaling 250 to 300 words from French to English within a period of three hours. The contest will be held on the same day in every university where the number of participants justifies it, under the supervision of official BG representatives. Two weeks prior to the contest, the time, date and place of the exam will be disclosed, by email, to each participant.

REGISTRATION

All candidates must fill out a registration form and pay the administrative fee. Participants who wish to obtain a copy of the registration form and contest rules may do so from their translation department, student association, by requesting one from the organising committee's office or by printing a copy directly from Registration Form

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

The registration period for the Canada-wide translation contest extends from February 1, 2010 to March 29, 2010. It is necessary that the registration form and administrative fee be sent to the organisation committee no later than March 29, 2010, the postmark being proof thereof.

CORRECTION COMMITTEES AND THE JURY

Experienced translators will sit on the correction committee and evaluate the exam papers and grade them in accordance with a pre-defined correction grid. The one hundred best copies will be submitted to the jury for evaluation. The jury, chaired by Mrs. Linda Gauthier, Chief Operating Officer and senior partner at BG Communications International Inc., will evaluate the finalists. Criteria such as quality of language and an accurate rendition of the source document will guide the jury in their evaluation.

NOMINATION OF FINALISTS AND AWARD WINNERS

The names of the winners for the "Babel - Translation - French-English Category" bursary will be disclosed in mid-September 2010. A bursary and commemorative plaque will be given to the winners during a gala hosted by BG Communications International Inc. at the end of September.

REGARDING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act people's personal lives and their personal information, and gives them the right to access this information. Each candidate's exam will be kept for a period of six months in the organisation committee office files. Any person wishing to obtain a corrected copy of his exam may request same in writing.

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