Montclair Student Translates Museum Exhibit in Paris

Lauren Breiter, a recent graduate of Montclair with a Masters in French, translated the “Clemenceau and Sports” exhibit at the Musée Clemenceau in Paris, which is currently on show in time for the 2024 Olympics!

Montclair’s translation programs, for both the undergraduate and graduate levels, offer opportunities for all students to gain experience in-person and online. Breiter’s work as a translator was part of an internship required for the capstone project of the French Professional Translation Concentration MA.

Breiter gives thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Emery, World Languages and Cultures department professor, for helping her discover the opportunity to work for Musée Clemenceau. The museum is actually the preserved house of former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau.

“I believe that Dr. Emery should be getting all of the credit in this area,” Breiter says. “Due to my full time work schedule, it seemed that maybe my options would be limited in finding a translation internship, but she really helped me out. Dr. Emery has connections with the Musée Clemenceau and was able to secure this opportunity for me, and I’m very grateful.”

Breiter’s assignments included translating the displays’ information panels, which she would do before presenting her translations to Dr. Emery for review, and submitting to Lise Lentignac, an administrator at Musée Clemenceau.

“She really was such a great help in fine-tuning my translations,” says Breiter on Dr. Emery’s guidance.

The appreciation remains mutual: “I loved working with Lauren!” says Emery. “She was always quick to respond, full of good ideas and eager to collaborate, all while holding down a full-time job.”

Prior to beginning the assignments, Breiter familiarized herself with the content of the exhibit by utilizing resources and reading several books recommended to her about Georges Clemenceau.

The experience of working beyond the University was one Breiter feels prepared her for a career post-graduation: “I think I really learned how much work goes into creating a professional translation. Throughout my experience in my graduate program at Montclair, I was able to practice translating many documents, but this one felt the most ‘high stakes.’ I’m really lucky to have been a part of the process.”

Likewise, seeing her own student’s work displayed in Paris was exciting for Dr. Emery when she was able to visit in-person: “I was so proud of Lauren when I saw her name featured at the entrance to the exhibition. It was a real testament to how much the museum appreciated Lauren and her work that they added such public recognition.”

Now graduated, Lauren Breiter plans on continuing to translate professionally wherever she can after a “very rewarding” time with Musée Clemenceau.