Translators, Terminologists & Interpreters
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
Translators translate written material from one language to another. Interpreters translate oral communication from one language to another during speeches, meetings, conferences, debates and conversation, or in court or before administrative tribunals. Terminologists conduct research to itemize terms connected with a certain field, define them and find equivalents in another language.
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. (National Occupational Classification)
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- O*NET Online - U.S. resource for occupational descriptions and information
- OCCinfo from alis - Alberta-based occupational information
- Translator, Interpreter, Terminologist Definitions - Association of Translators and Interpreters of Manitoba (scroll down)
- A Day in the Life of a Translator - from The Princeton Review - US Information
- Language Professions - overview from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council
- Professional Categories (Definitions) - from the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario
- Translator Tales - audio profiles from the American Translators Association
- Careers with the TB - from the Translation Bureau, Government of Canada
- Sokanu: Translator - occupational profiles and videos (U.S.)
- Careers in Justice - profiles from CliquezJustice.ca
- About the Profession of Court and Legal Interpreting and Translating - from the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators (U.S.)
Education
U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.
Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit the faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.
- Faculty of Arts - list of departments and programs, including those that offer languages courses: French, Spanish, Italian, German & Slavic Studies, Asian Studies, Icelandic Studies, Judaic Studies, Native Studies, Latin American Studies and Central and Eastern European Studies
Exploring Other Education Options
- Search Directories
- Traduction (Translation) - certificate and degree from Université de Saint-Boniface
- Information about Certification - from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council - (CTTIC)
- U.S. University Programs in Literary Translation - from PEN America
- Accredited Programs for Medical Interpreters - from the Commission for Medical Interpretation Education
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis: Job Market Report (Winnipeg Region) - Gov. of Canada Job Bank
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - Job outlook for the U.S.
- Annual Rates of Pay (Translation jobs in public service) - Government of Canada
- Rate Card- Indigenous Languages of Manitoba Inc. (Jan. 2020)
- Salaries for Short-Term Translators - from the United Nations
- Salaries for Short-Term Interpreters - from the United Nations
Professional Associations
Professional associations organize events and directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities are also available. This is a great way to learn and network.
- Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of Manitoba
- Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council - members / other provinces
- American Translators Association (ATA)
- Canadian Association for Translation Studies
- Canadian Association of Conference Interpreters
- International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
- Literary Translators' Association of Canada
- International Medical Interpreters Association- U.S.-based
Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
- Association of Canadian Corporations in Translation and Interpretation
- Language Industry Association (ALIA) - check member companies
- Imintera Association - freelance accredited or certified translators and interpreters association
- Association of Canadian Book Publishers - for literary translators
Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards.
- Traduguide - guide to translators and translation agencies
- Recruitment Notice- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Access Interpreter Services
- TranslatorsCafé - translations job board
- Language Job Boards from My World Abroad - U. of Mb. students can register for free
- Offer Your Linguistic Services to the Federal Translation Bureau
Other links
External resources that will provide you with additional information about the occupation, areas of work and opportunities to build experience:
- Article: Found in Translation - from Job Postings magazine
- Language Access - from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
- Indigenous Language Services - Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
- Manitoba Interpreter Services - from the Multicultural Mental Health Resource Centre
- Language Bank Services - Immigrant Centre of Manitoba
- Job profile: Foreign Language Communications Analyst - Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Government of Canada
- Negotiating Contracts - A Translator's Checklist from PEN America
- Network of Translators in Education (Canada)
- Translation Bureau - from the Government of Canada
- Article: Key skills to look for in translators and interpreters - from Tomedes
- Translation Services - Manitoba Government