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As a user of TERMIUM Plus®, the Translation Bureau's terminology and linguistic databank, you have online access to 17 writing tools. These tools provide a wealth of advice on issues of style and correct usage in French, English and even Spanish. You will find below a brief description of these tools.
- Favourite Articles
Favourite Articles is a collection of articles from the Translation Bureau's periodical, Language Update, dealing with English language usage and style, translation problems and other language-related matters.
Note: Favourite Articles is available in English only. However, similar writing tools, Chroniques de langue and Caleidoscopio del español, are available for those called on to write in French or Spanish.
- HyperGrammar2
HyperGrammar2 is a self-teaching tool designed to help you improve your knowledge of English grammar, which deals with such topics as spelling, punctuation and capitalization.
This tool is an adaptation of HyperGrammar, a self-teaching software developed by the Department of English at the University of Ottawa.
Note: HyperGrammar2 is available in English only. However, a similar writing tool, Le Bellerive, is available in French.
- Peck's English Pointers
Peck's English Pointers is a collection of lively articles spanning English grammar, punctuation, usage and clarity. Written by editor and writer Frances Peck, these pieces take a thorough yet entertaining look at some of the most common errors, weaknesses and uncertainties that plague writers of English. From who and whom to hyphens, from commas to plain language, from usage woes to grammar myths, these articles present clear, concise explanations of the thorniest points of the language.
Along with up-to-date rules, amusing examples and practical advice, many of these articles feature quizzes so you can practise what you have learned.
Note: Peck's English Pointers is available in English only.
- The Canadian Style
The Canadian Style gives concise answers to questions concerning written English in the Canadian context. It covers such topics as the decimal point, abbreviations, capital letters, punctuation marks, hyphenation, spelling, frequently misused or confused words and Canadian geographical names. It also includes useful advice for drafting letters, memos, reports, indexes and bibliographies.
In addition, The Canadian Style includes techniques for writing clearly and concisely, editing documents, and avoiding stereotyping in communications.
Note: The Canadian Style is available in English only. However, a similar writing tool, Le guide du rédacteur, is available in French.
- Word Tailoring
Word Tailoring is a dictionary-style reference tool that allows you to access a wealth of information quickly and easily. With a few clicks, you can find a number of English equivalents for a given French word or phrase used in everyday or administrative writing. As these French keywords often have multiple meanings, Word Tailoring contains concise examples in both English and French for each equivalent to help you select the best possible translation for your context.
Note: Word Tailoring is available in English only. However, a similar writing tool, the Lexique analogique, is available in French.
- Writing Tips
Writing Tips contains concise observations on and examples of English grammar, usage and style problems encountered daily by writers. Writing Tips explains modern-day Canadian usage in a straightforward and uncluttered manner. The examples used to illustrate these language problems reflect Canadian society, past and present.
Note: Writing Tips is available in English only. However, a similar writing tool, Clefs du français pratique, is available in French.
- Chroniques de langue
Chroniques de langue articles are taken from Language Update, the Translation Bureau's quarterly periodical. The in-depth articles look at how French usage has evolved over several decades and at language problems that continue to be of interest.
Note: Chroniques de langue is available in French only. However, similar writing tools, Favourite Articles and Caleidoscopio del español, are available for those called on to write in English or Spanish.
- Clefs du français pratique
The Clefs du français pratique tool deals with the problems of grammar, syntax and usage that confront anyone who is called upon to write in French. Rules are briefly stated and accompanied by clear examples relating to the Canadian context.
Note: Clefs du français pratique is available in French only. However, a similar writing tool, Writing Tips, is available in English.
- ConjugArt
ConjugArt presents the conjugations of some 8,000 French verbs, including technical verbs, Canadianisms and European regionalisms.
Note: ConjugArt is available in French only.
- Dictionnaire des cooccurrences
The Dictionnaire des cooccurrences is a useful tool for anyone who hesitates when choosing a word, unsure of the most appropriate adjective or verb. The dictionary includes a list of suggestions for many French nouns, including new words.
The Dictionnaire des cooccurrences is the work of Jacques Beauchesne and is published by Guérin.
Note: The Dictionnaire des cooccurrences is available in French only.
- Juridictionnaire
This jurilinguistic work is an invaluable tool, filling the need for legal translation and writing guides. It helps solve the many language problems associated with the distinctive nature of legal language, the co-existence and interaction of two systems of law, the influence of common law on Canadian public law and its language, and the anglicization not only of vocabulary, but also of syntax and style.
The Juridictionnaire is a compendium of the difficulties and expressions in French legal language, in and—to a lesser extent—outside Canada.
The Juridictionnaire was produced by Jacques Picotte, Jurilinguist/Advisor, for the Centre de traduction et de terminologie juridiques (CTTJ) of the University of Moncton's Faculty of Law.
Note: The Juridictionnaire is available in French only.
- Le Bellerive
Le Bellerive - Didacticiel sur les principales conventions typographiques françaises was created by Robert Bellerive and helps users learn the main rules of word division, capitalization, numerical expressions, italics and punctuation.
Note: Le Bellerive is available in French only. However, a similar writing tool, HyperGrammar2, is available in English.
- Le guide du rédacteur
Le guide du rédacteur provides answers to a multitude of questions on such topics as capitalization, italics, punctuation, numerical expressions in written text, abbreviations, quotations and word division at the end of a line.
It outlines the many techniques available to incorporate the feminine gender, general rules for correspondence, principles of plain language and detailed rules for bibliographic references. In addition, an entire chapter is devoted to Canadian geographical names.
Note: Le guide du rédacteur is available in French only. However a similar writing tool, The Canadian Style, is available in English.
[Launch Le guide du rédacteur] - Le Rouleau des prépositions
Le Rouleau des prépositions is a must-have reference work for anyone interested in mastering French prepositions.
For example, should you say se fier à or se fier sur quelqu'un?
This prepositionary will help learners of French, occasional writers and language professionals easily find the preposition that goes with the verb, adverb or adjective they wish to use.
Le Rouleau des prépositions is the work of Maurice Rouleau and is published by Linguatech, under the title Est-ce à, de, en, par, pour, sur ou avec? : La préposition vue par un praticien.
Note: Le Rouleau des prépositions is available in French only.
- Les mots du droit New
This glossary proposes a series of French equivalents—in context—for common, all-purpose words from English legal vocabulary that are difficult to translate, including issue, policy, basis, case, forum and jurisdiction. The glossary is accompanied by a guide on the use of prepositions in legal texts.
Les mots du droit is the work of Louis Beaudoin and is published by Éditions Yvon Blais.
Note: Les mots du droit is available in French only.
- Lexique analogique
This useful tool lists French equivalents for widespread English terms that are difficult to translate. Jacques Dubé, the author of this work, analyses a number of common problems, English buzzwords and all-purpose words, and helps the user generate ideas to find the right shade of meaning and eventually the mot juste.
Note: The Lexique analogique is available in French only. However, a similar writing tool, Word Tailoring, is available in English.
- Caleidoscopio del español
Caleidoscopio del español is a collection of articles from the Translation Bureau's periodical Language Update, dealing with various aspects of the Spanish language. Aside from articles on subjects of common interest, the directory includes trilingual glossaries for all those called upon to write in English, French or Spanish.
Note: Caleidoscopio del español is available in Spanish only. However, similar writing tools, Chroniques de langue and Favourite Articles, are available for those called on to write in French or English.
