Natalia

Who was your community partner, and can you describe the project objectives?

EISA: Translation of documents for immigrants to ease their immigration process to Canada

SOMBRILLA: Translation of Website from Spanish to English, helping the organization reach North American audiences and spread awareness of issues from Latin America and the Global South.

ECSD (Edmonton Catholic Schools): Translation of "Religious studies" modules for Catholic Spanish inversion school in Edmonton

What was the biggest takeaway from your CSL placement?

The most significant takeaway from our project was our capacity to assist and empower the community by bridging linguistic and cultural gaps through translation. My most impactful placement was with EISA (Edmonton Immigrant Services Association). As an immigrant, witnessing my parents’ struggles navigating Canada's complex bureaucratic and immigration systems motivated me to ensure our translations were accurate and precise. It is rewarding to know that we are easing this process for immigrants, ensuring they don't have to navigate everything alone; they have support.

How can you apply any newly gained knowledge/skills to your future endeavors (courses/employment/volunteering)?

I've understood that translation is far more than a mechanical process of transferring words from one language to another. It entails extensive research into the social and cultural nuances of the target audience and language to ensure translations accurately convey the intended meaning (or message) of the text while maintaining natural fluency for easy comprehension by the audience. This realization has made me more thoughtful and meticulous in my translations and expanded my linguistic and vocabulary skills. This newfound understanding will be valuable in future courses and translation projects.

How has receiving the Student Equity Award been a supportive avenue for you?

Receiving the Student Equity Award has been a supportive avenue for continuing to fund my education! Some of the money will go toward my grad school savings; I am currently exploring my options in master's programs, a step in my academic journey that I am very excited about!