About

This certificate will be particularly useful for students who wish to work in translation, but also for those who plan to have careers in business, education, law, medicine and politics, among others, in our bilingual country. It would be useful for students who intend to pursue any career with the national government, where proof of bilingualism is essential. By obtaining this certificate, you will have developed a proficient translation practice informed by contemporary translation theory.


Quick facts
  • Two-year certificate program
  • Part-time study
  • You can enter this program directly from high school
  • You can begin this program off-campus

The two-year Certificate in French-English Translation is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science. You may earn the certificate on its own, concurrently with a degree, or after having already received a degree from here or another institution.

What you will learn

Upon the completion of this series of classes, you will have acquired the skills necessary to pass a professional translation certification exam though ATIS (the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan), as well as have created a portfolio of literary translations with which to potentially begin literary translation careers after graduation, should you so choose.

FREN 213 - Introduction to Translation from English into French

This course introduces students to theoretical and practical aspects of the science of translating. It includes the presentation of major translation methods and procedures, an examination of the various cognitive mechanisms and resources mobilized during the translation process, a discussion of pertinent notions such as language register, and style, and the translation of relatively short texts in a wide range of fields, from English into French.

LING 230 - Aspects of Translation Theories and Practice

This course introduces students to translation studies from linguistic, cultural and interdisciplinary perspectives. The course considers the nature of linguistic meaning, as well as semantic and cognitive processes involved in translation. Text types and styles are analyzed. Discoursal and pragmatic aspects of translation are considered along with cultural and ideological backgrounds. The learners will develop practical translation skills (from and to English and the other language of their competence).

FREN 314 - Advanced French English Translation

This, the capstone course of this certificate, is structured as a workshop wherein students select their projects independently (for example a poem), then either work through them with one or two other students or present them to the class for commentary and critique - which students are encouraged to think through before accepting and/or defending their own choices. Students are also given the opportunity to work with living authors (Yann Martel has been an annual collaborator with this class since its inception, as well as Belgian poet Romain Blandiaux, Canadian poet Christian Bök, Québec poet Nicole Brossard, among others). Evaluation, then, is not just performed by the professor, but also by peers and the authors themselves, much like in the professional sphere.


The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies is engaged in fostering critical literacy and intercultural engagement and are dedicated to providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop interdisciplinary understandings about society and culture. With faculty members specializing in fields as diverse as French literature and theatre, Québec and Western Canadian Francophone writers, translation, linguistics, French and Francophone cinema, and women’s and gender studies, students are promised a variety of insights into French as it is lived and celebrated all over the world.

Our faculty members engage in research in a range of fields and time periods, and are nationally and internationally renowned scholars, while also being committed to quality instruction. Our instructors are regular nominees and recipients of USSU Teaching Excellence Awards and students reap the full benefits of their studies, both academically and socially, through small-class instruction.

Student involvement beyond the classroom is an integral part of our teaching philosophy, and you may be invited to attend plays at the Francophone professional theatre, La Troupe du Jour, teach French oral classes as tutorial leaders, work as research assistants and attend conferences organized by faculty members.

Careers

  • Advertising
  • Any government position
  • Any national corporate position
  • Interpretation (conference, medical, helping newcomers)
  • Media
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • Subtitling
  • Translation (from literary to corporate and everything in-between)

Tuition estimates

Canadian students International students
Tuition $746 per 3 credit unit class $3,611 per 3 credit unit class
Student fees $1,121 per year $1,121 per year

Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay per class (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access. This estimate reflects the price you would pay if you are a full-time student.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 for this program.

Program options

Students hanging out in the Bowl in front of the Peter MacKinnon Building

The Certificate in French-English Translation is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science. You may earn the certificate on its own, concurrently with a degree, or after having already received a degree from here or another institution.

If you are already enrolled at USask, consult your academic advisor regarding enrolling in this program.

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

Admission requirements and deadlines

Deadlines

Start term Application DeadlineInternational Deadline
Winter
January 2025
Dec 1, 2024
Documents due: Dec 15, 2024
Sep 1, 2024
Documents due: Oct 1, 2024
Spring
May 2025
Apr 1, 2025
Documents due: May 1, 2025
Feb 1, 2025
Documents due: Mar 1, 2025
Summer
July 2025
May 1, 2025
Documents due: Jun 1, 2025
Mar 1, 2025
Documents due: Apr 1, 2025
Fall
September 2025
Aug 15, 2025
Documents due: Aug 15, 2025
May 1, 2025
Documents due: Jun 1, 2025
Winter
January 2026
Dec 1, 2025
Documents due: Dec 15, 2025
Sep 1, 2025
Documents due: Oct 1, 2025

Ready to apply?

If you are a current USask student, consult your academic advisor regarding enrolling in this program.

To apply to this program as a new student, please apply for admission to any undergraduate program in the College of Arts and Science and after you are admitted, declare your plans to the college.

Explore related programs

If you are looking for graduate-level programs (master's or Ph.D.), please consult our graduate students' website.

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