A certified translator since 1986, Réal Paquette holds an honors B.A. in Hispanic studies (1979) and a master’s in translation (1982). He also completed the coursework and general exams for the Ph.D. in comparative literature at the University of Montreal (U of M) (1985).
Réal is passionate about translation and has always led a two-track career as both a teacher and practitioner. He was a Spanish language instructor at U of M from 1982 to 1984 and the first director of the School of Translation at the University of St. Boniface in Manitoba from 1984 to 1988. He returned to U of M as an instructor in 1988, where he has taught ever since. His main subjects are advanced general translation, commercial translation, economic translation, and legal translation, but by far his favorite course is advertising adaptation, which he also teaches at Concordia University. He is the proprietor of Translacom, a small agency that operates in Manitoba.
A man deeply committed to his profession and craft, Réal is a founding member of ATAMESL (Association des travailleurs autonomes et micro-entreprises en services linguistiques) and communications vice president for Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ). At OTTIAQ he has also been a mentor since 2002 and vice chair of the University Training Committee since 2009, and he was a member of the working group on mentorships and vice president for professional affairs in 2010–2011.
Réal has two professional training workshops to his credit, L’adaptation publicitaire and Le rôle-conseil du traducteur : contrainte ou valeur ajoutée?
