Resources and links

Welcome to the Resources and links section of the website. Here you will find links and references related to communications (bilingual reception, writing and meetings), translation and interpretation, and learning a second language. Also, to help put your official languages strategy in context, links to background information on the history and status of official languages in Canada have been provided.

Some links bring you directly to a resource. Other references are for text-based resources that should be available through a local or online bookseller. Even though certain links direct you to sites designed for the public service, the information and suggestions they contain may be easily adapted to suit your particular situation.

The following sampling of resources is not exhaustive. It has been designed to provide you with suggestions that will help your organization build its own resource collection.

Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia Sample Contract [PDF version, 13 KB]
Commmunications
Bilingual Meetings and Events
Bilingual Positions
Translation and Interpretation
Learning a Second Language
Official Languages in Context
Useful Links

Communications

Dictionaries

• The Canadian Oxford Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press (2004)
• Le Petit Robert : Dictionnaire de la langue française, Dictionnaires le Robert (2006)
• Le Robert & Collins Senior : Dictionnaire français-anglais, anglais-français, Dictionnaires le Robert (2005)

Specialized dictionaries

• Bescherelle : L'Art de conjuguer, nouvelle édition, Hurtubise HMH (1998)
• Bescherelle: Complete Guide to Conjugating 12000 French Verbs, bilingual edition, Hurtubise HMH (1999)
• Canadian Oxford Paperback Thesaurus, Oxford University Press (2003)
• Le Grand Druide des synonymes, Éditions Québec Amérique (2001)
• Multidictionnaire de la langue française, 4e édition, Éditions Québec Amérique (2003)
• Roget's International Thesaurus, 6th edition, HarperCollins Publishers (2002)

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Glossaries, terminology

• Le grand dictionnaire terminologique, Office québécois de la langue française (French only)
  
  Le grand dictionnaire terminologique de l'Office québécois de la langue française is an online terminological dictionary that covers over 3 million French and English terms specific to industry, science and commerce in 200 fields of specialization.
  
  
• Writing Tools - Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada
  
  The Language Toolbox offers you a wide range of terminology resources that will help you solve your trickiest language, terminology and usage problems.
  
  
• Publications and more - Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada
  
  The Translation Bureau publishes vocabularies and terminology bulletins (over one hundred titles to date) in many areas of government activity. These publications are available to people in Canada and around the world and have become essential working tools for language professionals and for the general public.
  
  
• TERMIUM ® - Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada
  
  More than a dictionary, TERMIUM ® contains specialized and highly specialized terms not found in any standard bilingual dictionary. TERMIUM ® also includes the Bureau's three writing assistance tools: The Canadian Style, Le guide du rédacteur and the Lexique analogique.
  

Style guides, reference works

• La banque de dépannage linguistique, Office québécois de la langue française(French only)
  
  An educational resource that provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding grammar, spelling, punctuation, general vocabulary and abbreviations.
  
  
• The Canadian Style: A Guide to Writing and Editing, 2nd edition, Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada (1997) (English only)
  
  You can use this reference to quickly find the correct way to use abbreviations, italics, bibliographies, geographical names, use of capital letters and more. The Guide deals with letter, memo and reports formats, notes and indexes. Also included is an appendix on how to present French words in an English text.
  
  
• Editing Canadian English, 2nd edition, Editor's Association of Canada, MacFarlane Walter & Ross (2000) (English only)
  
  This work addresses spelling, punctuation, French in English context, canadianization, avoiding bias etc.
  
  
• Le français au bureau, 6e édition, Office québécois de la langue française (2005) (French only)
  
  Le français au bureau addresses a range of linguistic difficulties encountered when composing letters, forms and other administrative and commercial writing.
  
  
• Le guide du rédacteur, 2e édition, Travaux publics et Services gouvernementaux, Canada (1996) (French only)
  
  Revised and updated, this edition includes chapters dealing with punctuation, use of capital letters, bibliographic references, forms for correspondence and everything else one needs to know to communicate effectively in the French language.
  
  
• Le guide de rédaction du gouvernement de l'Ontario, Government Translation Service Ontario (2001) (French only)
  
  This is a technical publication designed to assist individuals who must prepare documentation in French for the Government of Ontario. It provides answers to questions relating to the subject of communication style in written French. This new edition also contains information relevant to the new 10-digit dialling system.
  
  
• Plain Language: Clear and Simple, Human Resources Development Canada (1991)
  (Also available in French: Pour un style clair et simple)
  This reference presents a series of pertinent questions that you should ask yourself before you start writing. It offers guidance on how you should organize your information, choose words and construct sentences and paragraphs. It contains advice on presentation, highlighting the importance of headings, spacing, type style, graphics, and illustrations. The checklist at the end will help you gauge your success in writing plainly.
  
  

Signage, posters, information sheets

• Official Languages Symbol - Canada Public Service Agency
  
  
• Official Languages Posters - Canada Public Service Agency
  English or French...Go ahead, it's your choice!
  
  
• Official Languages Publications & Guides - Canada Public Service Agency
  Reminder - Advice to offer quality service to the public From Bonjour to Au revoir
  - Usual expressions on the telephone in both official languages
  Getting on Board - Advice on how to offer quality service to Canadians in both official languages

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Bilingual meetings and events

Chairing bilingual meetings

• Official Languages Publications & Guides - Canada Public Service Agency
  • The Hit Play - Chairing bilingual meetings
  • Chairing Meetings - How to successfully conduct meetings in both official language
    

  Planning bilingual meetings and events

  • Welcome - Getting the most from both official languages at popular events of national or international significance, Treasury Board Canada
    
    
  • Guidelines on how to prepare, present and participate in a bilingual conference, University of Ottawa
    
    
  • Guide to planning inclusive meetings and conferences, Treasury Board Canada
    
    
  • Checklist for the organization of special events, Canadian Heritage
    
    

  Bilingual positions

  Recruiting bilingual employees

  • Refer to the" Recruiting bilingual employees " information sheet for a listing of resources.

  Designating bilingual positions

  The information found here explains the Government of Canada's procedure for assigning bilingual positions; however it may be a useful reference for organizations.

  • Determining the Linguistic Profile for Bilingual Positions, Public Service Commission of Canada
    
  • Linguistic Profile, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
    
    

  Good employment practices

  For information concerning Canadian human rights and employment practices, consult the following websites:

  • Canadian Human Rights Commission - Federally Regulated Organizations
  • Canadian and Human Rights Commission - Provincial and Territorial Human Rights Agencies
  
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  Translation and interpretation

  Associations

  • To find a translator or interpreter visit the Membership section of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) website to locate your province or territory's association, order, chapter or society of translators, interpreters and terminologists.
    

  Sample translation contracts

  • Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia
    Sample Contract
  • Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario
    Model Translation Contract

  Schools and programs for translation and interpretation

  • Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
    Field of Study: Language Interpretation and Translation
  • Canadian Association of Schools of Translation - Member Programs

  Translation and interpretation funding

  • Support for Interpretation and Translation - Canadian Heritage
  • For a similar program available to organizations in New Brunswick, please visit: Translation Program, Culture and Sport Secretariat - New Brunswick

  Learning a second language

  Educational resources and second language programs

  • A one-stop window on the Internet that provides access to information and resources related to second official language teaching and learning.
    www.langcanada.ca

  Information sheets

  • Official Languages Publications and Guides - Canada Public Service Agency
    • Ten Benefits of Learning and Using Another Language
    • Tips for Maintaining Your New Language Skills - Booklet giving examples of activities to maintain new language skills.
  
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  Official Languages in Context

  • Official language communities' profiles by mother tongue (2001) - The Atlas of Canada - presented by the Department of Natural Resources of Canada.
    
    These interactive maps illustrate Census data, showing percentages of the French mother tongue populations outside of Quebec and of the English mother tongue population in Quebec. Knowing where there are higher concentrations will help your organization to target its efforts.
    
    
  • Our Official Languages: As a Century Ends and a Millennium Begins, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (2001)
    
    Special publication marking the 30th anniversary of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
    
    
  • Profiles of Francophone and Acadian Communities in Canada, 2nd edition, La fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA) (2004)
    Note: This website is in French only, however the documentation related to each provincial and territorial profile is available in French and English.
    
    
  • Site for Language Management in Canada (SLMC)
    This site presents the geopolitical situation in Canada, placing an emphasis on the historical and legislative aspects of language laws. It also provides information on language organizations and services in Canada as well as a comparison between elements of the Canadian model to bilingualism in other countries.
    
    
  • Statistical Profiles 2005: Francophones in Ontario, Office of Francophone Affairs, Government of Ontario (2005)
    The Office of Francophone Affairs offers five profiles on the Francophone community in Ontario, based on Statistics Canada 2001 census data. The studies present an insightful portrait of the Francophone population.
    
    
  • Statistics - Official Languages in Canada, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (2001)
    Map and fact sheets on Canadians that present demolinguistic data for each province and territory.

  Useful links

  • Canadian Heritage - Official Languages Support Programs
    
    
  • Bonjour-Hello
    This tool intended for provincial and territorial government employees will provide various Canadian public administrations with a databank of best practices and resources on the provision of services to the general public in the language of their choice.
    
    
  • Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
    
    
  • Canada Public Service Agency - Official Languages Branch

Note:

To access the Portable Document Format (PDF) version you must have a PDF reader installed. If you do not already have such a reader, there are numerous PDF readers available for free download or for purchase on the Internet:

• Adobe Reader
• Foxit Reader
• Xpdf
• eXPert PDF Reader

Please note that all saveable and fillable PDF forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader version 8.1 or higher.