One of the most in-demand occupations in Canada is that of a Translator. This occupation (Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters) is part of a larger occupational group called Writing, Translating and Public Relations Professionals (NOC 512).
National Outlook ‘ 10-Year Projection (2013-2022)
There are currently 135,165 people employed in this occupation group in Canada. The median age of workers in this group is 42 with an average retirement age of 63.
Over the 2013-2022 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected number of job openings is significantly greater than the projected number of job seekers. An occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected number of job openings is smaller than the projected number of job seekers. For Writing, Translating And Public Relations Professionals, over the 2013-2022 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 53,125.
Emigrating to Canada as an Interpreter or Translator
There are several ways to move to Canada as an interpreter or translator. These include the self-employed program, skilled worker program or through one of the provincial nominee programs.
In which industry or sector do translators and interpreters find jobs in Canada?
This table shows the industry and sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.
| Industry / Sector | % |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 59.54 |
| Public administration | 14.64 |
| Educational services | 4.95 |
| Finance and insurance | 3.97 |
| Information and cultural industries | 3.35 |
| Health care and social assistance | 2.82 |
Main duties
Translators and translator-revisers perform some or all of the following duties:
-
- Translate a variety of written material such as correspondence, reports, legal documents, technical specifications and textbooks from one language to another, maintaining the content, context and style of the original material to the greatest extent possible
- Localize software and accompanying technical documents to adapt them to another language and culture
- Revise and correct translated material
- May train and supervise other translators.
-
- Terminologists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Identify the terminology used in a field of activity
- Conduct terminological research on a given subject or in response to inquiries for the preparation of glossaries, terminology banks, technological files, dictionaries, lexicons and resource centres, and add to terminological databases
- Manage, update and circulate linguistic information collected from terminological databases
- Provide consultative services to translators, interpreters and technical writers preparing legal, scientific or other documents that require specialized terminologies.
-
- Interpreters perform some or all of the following duties:
- Interpret oral communication from one language to another aloud or using electronic equipment, either simultaneously (as the speaker speaks), consecutively (after the speaker speaks) or whispered (speaking in a low whisper to one or two persons as the speaker is talking)
- Provide interpretation services in court or before administrative tribunals
- May interpret language for individuals and small groups travelling in Canada and abroad
- May interpret for persons speaking an Aboriginal or foreign language in a variety of circumstances
- May train other interpreters.
-
- Sign language interpreters perform some or all of the following duties:
- Translate sign language to a spoken language and vice versa either simultaneously or consecutively.
Employment requirements
-
- A university degree in translation with a specialization in translation, interpretation or terminology in two languages including at least one of the two official languages
or
A university degree in a related discipline such as languages, linguistics, philology and courses in linguistic transfer and two years’ experience as a full-time translator working in two languages, at least one of which is an official language
or
Five years of experience as a full-time translator working in two languages, at least one of which is an official language, are required. - Sign language interpreters require a college training program or a university certificate in sign language interpretation.
- Certification on dossier or by examination from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council may be required for translators, terminologists and interpreters.
- Sign language interpreters may require a certificate or certification evaluation in LSQ or ASL.
- Fluency in three languages is usually required for translators or interpreters working in an international context.
- Membership in a provincial or territorial association of translators, interpreters and terminologists may be required.
- Membership in a provincial association of sign language interpreters may be required.
- A university degree in translation with a specialization in translation, interpretation or terminology in two languages including at least one of the two official languages
