PDF - Vancouver Public Library
Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Working as a Translator or Interpreter ....................................................... 2 Skills, Education and Experience ............................................................... 6 Finding Jobs ............................................................................................ 7 Applying for a Job .................................................................................. 10 Getting Help from Industry Sources ......................................................... 11 1. Working as a Translator or Interpreter Job Description Translators 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 Maintain 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. 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 a Native or foreign language in a variety of circumstances May train other interpreters. Sign language interpreters translate sign language to a spoken language and vice versa either simultaneously or consecutively. Last Updated: October 29, 2014 2 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Industry Overview Translators and interpreters usually specialize in two languages, such as French and English, the official languages of Canada. In British Columbia, translators and interpreters who are fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese or Punjabi may have an advantage in the job market. There growing demand for translators who have a good command of Spanish. The main areas of specialization include administrative, literary, scientific and technical translation. Interpreters may specialize in court, parliamentary or conference interpretation. Employment prospects are also good for translators who are familiar with scientific and technical fields, law, biology and pharmacy. These people are often hired as technical writers. Demand for these professionals is concentrated in large urban centres such as Metro Vancouver. Source: National Occupational Classification: http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/ProfileNocCode.aspx?val=5&val1=5125&val17= 5125&val18=0&val19=0 Job Outlook in BC Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters, NOC 5125 Chart from: WorkBC, Labour Market Navigator, http://www.workbc.ca/Navigator/occupations/5125 Last Updated: October 29, 2014 3 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia The Employment Outlook for BC provides job openings projections for translators, terminologists and interpreters within BC regions: Region Vancouver Island Lower Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo North Coast & Nechako Northeast 2010 Estimated Employment 2015 Estimated Employment Avg Annual % Change, 5 Years, 2010 to 2015 130 1,160 70 10 20 10 10 130 1,290 70 20 20 10 10 0.5% 2.2% 0.2% 2.9% 0.4% 0.3% 1.2% Source: Regional Employment Projections, BC Stats. Projections for development regions http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/StatisticsBySubject/LabourIncome/EmploymentUnemployment/Regional EmploymentProjections.aspx You can learn more about working as a translator or interpreter from: WorkBC, Career Profiles at http://workbc.ca/Careers [search NOC 5125] And Translation Bureau. Government of Canada http://www.btb.gc.ca/btb.php?lang=eng&cont=162 Types of Employers Translators may work for private translation agencies, government departments, multinational corporations, publishing houses, or any other business or organization that needs translations of written materials. Some work as independent freelancers, contracting out their services to more than one organization. The demand in this occupation is translating technical materials. Interpreters work full-time for governments, large corporations, the media, and international organizations such as the United Nations. Some interpreters are selfemployed and work on a freelance basis or for agencies on short-term contracts. On-site interpreters work wherever they are needed, including conference venues, courtrooms, and offices. Others provide their services via telephone or video relay. Source: Career Cruising database (Profiles for Translator & for Interpreter). Available from the VPL Online Articles, Encyclopedias & More page: http://www.vpl.ca/electronic_databases/alpha/c Last Updated: October 29, 2014 4 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Salary Income levels for translators and interpreters depend on certification, experience, education, and type of employer. Earnings for interpreters also depend on the languages the interpreter speaks and the subject matter being discussed. In BC the average annual salary for Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters is between $33,000 and $44,000. In general, earnings for full-time, salaried translators range from about $30,000 to $90,000 a year. Annual earnings for freelancers vary widely depending on their ability to find clients The average salary for all interpreters is between $44,000 and $48,000 a year. Interpreters working on a freelance basis usually earn an hourly or daily rate. Hourly wages can range from about $15 to $40, although some can make $50 or more an hour. From Career Cruising database (Profiles for Translator & for Interpreter). Available from the VPL Online Articles, Encyclopedias & More page: http://www.vpl.ca/electronic_databases/alpha/c The federal government publishes the salary ranges for translators from its most recent collective agreement. Effective April 19, 2013 salaries with the federal public service ranged from $ 51,612 to a maximum of $ 105,813. http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/coll_agre/tr/tr09-eng.asp Job Bank Canada, Wage Reports, provides hourly wages for translators and interpreters in these BC regions: Source: Job Bank Canada, Wages Report, http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/ Last Updated: October 29, 2014 5 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Working Hours Translators who work for large companies or the government work regular 7 to 8 hour days, 5 days a week. They only work nights or weekends if there are unexpected events that must be dealt with quickly. Freelance translators schedule their own work and this can vary depending on the demand for their services. The hours for salaried interpreters are often long and irregular. Those who work on a freelance basis can work as much or as little as they want, provided of course that they can find clients willing to pay for their services. 2. Skills, Education and Experience Skills for Translators excellent language skills good attention to detail ability to concentrate and perform well under pressure proven writing skills extensive intellectual curiosity significant use of memory maintains high standards of professional performance good computer skills Skills for Interpreters excellent language skills excellent listener ability to communicate ideas good attention to detail maintains high standards of professional performance good interpersonal skills a good memory able to concentrate and think fast Last Updated: October 29, 2014 6 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Education and Experience 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 University degree in a related discipline such as languages or linguistics 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. Fluency in three languages is usually required for translators or interpreters working in an international context. Qualifications The profession of translator or interpreter is not regulated in British Columbia. However, you cannot use certain titles, including “Certified Translator” or “Certified Interpreter” unless you have passed a certification examination through the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia. Further information about certification is available at: Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia http://www.stibc.org/page/translation%20faq.aspx 3. Finding Jobs You’ll find job advertisements in local newspapers and electronic sources, as well as through professional associations’ publications. Local Newspapers You can look at the Vancouver Sun & The Province at Vancouver Public Library for free. Check the job postings daily, the careers section in the Vancouver Sun on Wednesdays and Saturdays and, in The Province on Sundays. Job White Pages Available in print at the Central Library or online at http://jobfreeway.com/memberdocs/vpl-home.htm NOTE: You can only access this database from the Central Library or VPL branch libraries. Access is NOT available from home or outside the Library. Last Updated: October 29, 2014 7 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Online Job Postings Federal Government of Canada http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/index-eng.htm Select “British Columbia” for Province/Territory, and enter the keyword “translator” or “interpreter”. Note that interpreter is also used by the Parks Canada for people who give heritage tours at natural and historical sites. Indeed.com http://ca.indeed.com/advanced_search Find jobs posted on a multitude of company career sites and job boards CharityVillage.com http://www.charityvillage.com/applicant/jobs.asp?fn=searchform Job postings within the Canadian non-profit sector Professional Associations’ Career Resources Find a Certified Translator at STIBC website http://www.stibc.org/page/directory.aspx Many translators are self-employed or work on a contract basis. STIBC lists certified translators in this database so that employers can locate professionals for work. For additional tips on job hunting see: Networking for Employment http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/images/uploads/Pathfinders/Networking.pdf Identifying the Right Position When you browse job advertisements, you’ll find a range of different job titles that are relevant. Look for these related job titles: Conference Interpreter Court Interpreter Foreign Broadcast Translator Literary Translator Simultaneous Interpreter Technical Translator Translator, Technical Documents Interpreter for the Deaf Sign Language Interpreter Last Updated: October 29, 2014 8 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Creating a List of Potential Employers You can use directories to produce lists of employers who employ translators in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland. Contact them directly to find out if they’re hiring. Canadian Company Capabilities. Industry Canada http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ccc-rec.nsf/eng/home Try searching by keywords ‘translation’ or ‘interpretation.’ Reference Canada http://www.vpl.ca/electronic_databases/alpha/r Go to the "Reference Canada" database, choose the "Custom Search" button, and select both "Keyword/SIC/NAICS" under Business Type and "City" under Geography. In the top search box enter "translator" and click LOOKUP. Select the appropriate headings. Lower down, select the Province, choose the cities, and click the "View Results" button. Available from the VPL Online Articles, Encyclopedias & More page NOTE: You can access this VPL databases from the Library or from home. If you are using a computer from home or outside the library, you will need a Vancouver Public Library card to login to the databases. After clicking on the database name, you will be asked to enter your library card number and PIN (usually last four digits of your telephone number). Last Updated: October 29, 2014 9 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia 4. Applying for a Job In Canada, employers usually expect to receive a resume (curriculum vitae) and a cover letter that identifies the position you are applying for and summarizes your relevant experience. Use the library catalogue, http://vpl.bibliocommons.com/ to find books on writing resumes and cover letters specific to your industry. To learn about applying for jobs in Canada, use the following pathfinders which are available in print at the Central Library or online at http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/. Writing Resumes and Cover Letters http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/images/uploads/Pathfinders/Resume_Cover_Letter.pdf Getting Canadian Work Experience http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/images/uploads/Pathfinders/Canadian_Experience.pdf Networking for Employment http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/images/uploads/Pathfinders/Networking.pdf Learn More About Working in BC and Canada http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/images/uploads/Pathfinders/Learn_more_about_Seeking_ further.pdf Last Updated: October 29, 2014 10 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia 5. Getting Help from Industry Sources Industry Associations Associations for translators and interpreters in BC and Canada provide assistance to individuals. Registration and fees are required for membership. Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia http://www.stibc.org Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) https://www.cttic-edu.ca/ Canadian Association of Conference Interpreters http://www.aiic.ca/aiiccanada.welcome.en.html Association de l’Industrie de la Langue Language Industry Association (AILIA) http://www.ailia.ca Literary Translators’ Association of Canada http://www.attlc-ltac.org/ Association of Canadian Corporations in Translation and Interpretation http://www.accti.org Language Portal of Canada. Translation and Interpretation http://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/decouvrir-discover/professions/interpretationeng.html Last Updated: October 29, 2014 11 Translators & Interpreters A guide for newcomers to British Columbia Industry Journals Search the Vancouver Public Library catalogue for journals related to your profession. Examples: The TRANSLetter Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia http://www.stibc.org/page/the%20transletter.aspx MultiLingual Leading industry magazine http://www.multilingual.com/ Questions? Please ask the Information Staff in the Central Branch, Vancouver Public Library or telephone 604-331-36 03. Please note that the information in this guide is also available online through the Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre website at http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/ . Last Updated: October 29, 2014 12
© Copyright 2024