Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters
(NOC 5125)
in All Art, Culture, Recreation and SportTranslators translate written material from one language to another. Terminologists carry out research required to translate and interpret technical, professional, and scientific vocabulary and material. Interpreters translate spoken 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. They work for 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 like 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 Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Hourly Pay
$19.42
Minimum$26.86
Median$44.03
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,825
Minimum$29,980
Median$74,671
MaximumCompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$21.00
Median$40.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$945
Minimum$11,712
Median$60,447
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Translators translate written material from one language to another. Terminologists carry out research required to translate and interpret technical, professional, and scientific vocabulary and material. Interpreters translate spoken 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.
They work for 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 like 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:
- Translate a variety of written material like 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:
- Identify the terminology used in a field of activity.
- Research terminology for a given subject or 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 consulting services to translators, interpreters, and technical writers preparing legal, scientific or other documents that require specialized terminologies.
Interpreters:
- Interpret spoken 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:
- 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
- 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 like 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 need 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
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$33,378 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
N/ANorth Shore
N/ASouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration
Information and cultural industries
Real estate and rental and leasing
Arts, entertainment and recreation
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
15-24
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$47,799 median annual incomeMaster
$16,592 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$27,529 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ADoctorate
N/ACompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Bachelor
$17,829 median annual incomeHigh school
$7,552 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$22,120 median annual incomeLess than high school
$2,922 median annual incomeMaster
$36,173 median annual incomeEducation & training
American Sign Language (ASL)
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on American Sign Language as a visual and motor medium of communication and discourse for deaf individuals and deaf culture. They include courses in the development of ASL, ASL morphology and syntax, signing technique, English translation of ASL, formal and colloquial ASL, and ASL transcription.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of various racial and ethnic groups, women’s studies, gay/lesbian studies, folklore studies, disability studies, and deaf studies.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
French Language and Literature (Canada)
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the French language, including its history, structure and related communications skills, and the literature and culture of French-speaking peoples.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Language Interpretation and Translation
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to be professional interpreters and/or translators of documents and data files, either from English or French into another language or languages or vice versa. They include courses of an intensive nature in one or more languages plus courses in subjects such as single and multiple-language interpretation, one- or two-way interpretation, simultaneous interpretation, general and literary translation, business translation, technical translation, and other specific applications of linguistic skills.
Institutions providing this program
Romance Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the Romance languages of Western, Central, and Southern Europe. They include courses in philology, linguistics, dialects and pidgins, literature, and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
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