I love moulding language

PASSION AND CREATIVITY

A Quebecer at heart and by choice, I left France after completing a Master’s in applied foreign languages (English and Russian) and a specialized graduate diploma in international commerce at the Sorbonne. I then studied and worked in various countries before settling in Montréal, where I was recruited by the city’s largest translation firm. There, I was able to learn from some of the best in the field.

With the benefit of that experience under my belt, I struck out on my own. Over the years, my clients have expressed appreciation for my versatility, writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines. My organizational skills were put to the test more recently, as I continued carrying on my professional activities while doing a Master’s in creative writing at the Université du Québec à Rimouski. My M.A. culminated in my first novel-in-stories, Juliette ou les morts ne portent pas de bigoudis, published by Lévesque éditeur in 2020.

In summers, I reconnect with old interests by teaching French as a second language at the École d’immersion française in Trois-Pistoles, which is affiliated with Western University in London, Ontario. Indigenous and diversity artists and personalities are given a prime spot in the program I teach.

In addition to language, the arts have always played an essential role in my life: tap dance, swing, choral jazz, modeling, welding, yoga, meditation… My art practice continues to take on many forms.

For a number of years, I sat on the editorial committee for Le Mouton Noir, a citizen newspaper in Rimouski to which I still contribute. A long-time member of the Club des grands lecteurs de l’Est du Québec, a network of book clubs devoted to selecting the best first Francophone novel, I presently sit on the Board of the Mitis local forum for literature, the arts and culture (CLAC Mitis).

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ)

Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC)

Network of Translators in Education (NTE)

Language Entrepreneurs Forum (CLEF)

Société québécoise de la rédaction professionnelle (SQRP)

Union des écrivaines et écrivains québécois (UNEQ)

TESTIMONIALS

I had the opportunity to work with this exceptionally talented translator on a project for the Royal Canadian Mint from 2014 to 2016. Ms. Mallard translated various documents for us, including certificates for numismatic coins highlighting history, fauna and flora, and popular culture.

She also worked on web content as well as marketing and administrative documents. There, too, she demonstrated exceptional rigour, creativity and diligence. Pénélope is an extraordinarily gifted translator, and one you can always count on.

Valérie Pelletier, Translator/Revisor
Parallèle, Services linguistiques
I’ve been working with Pénélope for almost ten years now and I’m very happy every time she can translate educational texts for me. Her acute sensitivity of language subtleties, concern for her client’s needs and her elegant style are invaluable assets. Her teaching experience only adds to her skill as a translator in education. Above all, I enjoy working with Pénélope because she’s bright, pleasant and professional.

Andrée Sirois, Senoir Partner
La Boîte à mots et associés
I highly recommend Pénélope Mallard as a translator. She’s very conscientious, attentive to detail and maintains high standards, always conducting research and asking questions to get the text right. She not only meets her deadlines, but also provides very useful comments. I’ve been dealing with Pénélope for several years now, and I’m grateful every time she’s available, because I know the job will be done properly and professionally.

Jean Lambert, Real estate researcher and manager
As a French-English translator, I’ve been consulting Pénélope Mallard for many years, seeking her help in rendering some of the more arcane expressions I come across in my work. She has an exemplary command of the French language and is able to cut through the layers of a text to the intended meaning beyond the words. That, to me, is the mark of a true professional.

Elaine Kennedy, Certified Translator