Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters

Nature of work

Translators translate written material from one language to another. Terminologists conduct research required to translate and interpret technical, professional, and scientific vocabulary and material. Interpreters translate oral communication from one language to another during speeches, meetings, conferences, debates and conversation, or in court or before administrative tribunals. Sign language interpreters use sign language to translate spoken language and vice versa during meetings, conversations, television programs or in other instances.

Translators, terminologists and interpreters are employed by government, private translation and interpretation agencies, in-house translation services, large private corporations, international organizations and the media, or they may be self-employed. Sign language interpreters work in schools and courts, and for social service agencies, interpretation services, government services and television stations, or they may be self-employed. Translators, terminologists and interpreters specialize in two languages, such as French and English, the official languages of Canada. They may also specialize in another language and one of the official languages. The main areas of specialization include administrative, literary, scientific and technical translation.

Job 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.
• Interpreters may specialize in court, parliamentary or conference interpretation.

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.
• Sign language interpreters work in French and Langue des signs quebecoise (LSQ) or in English and American Sign Language (ASL).

Sample job titles

• certified interpreter (C.Int.)
• certified terminologist (C.Term.)
• certified translator (C.Tr.)
• deaf interpreter
• interpreter
• legal terminologist
• medical terminologist
• sign language interpreter
• terminologist
• translator

Skills

To become a translator, you must have a thorough knowledge of at least two languages and excellent writing skills. Translators usually translate into their native language. To work as an interpreter you should have excellent oral expression, a good memory, and the ability to concentrate well. You must also be able to think quickly and clearly. As an ASL/English interpreter, you should have physical stamina and manual dexterity.

Job 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.
• 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.

Other considerations

Job opportunities may grow as Nova Scotian businesses expand their marketing efforts to include foreign customers and require translators to communicate. Fluency in three languages is usually required for translators or interpreters working in an international context

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