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Interpreter Training Standards: Are They Really That Boring?

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Article Summary
Exploring the Three Types of Interpreting
Industries Where Interpreters Make an Impact
The Ordinary Reality of Professional Standards
A World Without Interpreter Standards
The True Importance of Standards
Understanding Key Language Concepts in Interpreter Training
Target Language
Official Language
The Importance of Everyday Standards

I understand—standards aren’t exciting. Just mentioning “ISO” might make many eyes glaze over faster than a lecture on quantum mechanics (although I must admit, both are extremely interesting to me). But before dismissing any talk of standards to do with Canadian Translators  and Interpreters, let’s take a moment to appreciate the unsung heroes of our everyday lives, especially in the interpreting and translation industries. Because, believe it or not, standards are the fascinating backbone of these fields. And when they’re missing? Well, things get ugly fast.

Exploring the Three Types of Interpreting

In the field of interpreting, professionals employ various techniques to bridge language gaps effectively. Understanding the different modes of interpreting can help you appreciate the nuances of each method and how they cater to different scenarios. Here’s a closer look at three interpreting methods: simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation. Each type has its unique approach and application while ensuring clear and accurate communication in diverse settings.

  • Simultaneous Interpreting: Imagine you’re at a high-speed car race where everything is moving fast and you need to be ready to react. Simultaneous interpreting is similar to that, where the interpreter listens and interprets in real-time, keeping up with a speaker without missing a beat.
  • Consecutive Interpreting: Like a relay race where runners pass the baton one at a time. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter waits until a speaker pauses before conveying the message in the other language. It’s a process done in dialogue, where each part of the conversation is converted once the speaker has paused.
  • Sight Translation: Picture reading a recipe in a foreign language and then cooking the dish right away. Sight translation is when the interpreter silently reads a written text in one language and immediately orally converts it into another language in either spoken or signed form, similar to turning written instructions into spoken words on the spot.

Industries Where Interpreters Make an Impact

Interpreters play a vital role across various industries, each requiring professional skills and specialized knowledge. Here’s a snapshot of the key fields where interpreters can apply their expertise:

  • Community Interpreters: Serving in local settings, community interpreters assist individuals in accessing essential services, such as public services, educational programs, law enforcement, and social services.
  • Medical Interpreters: In healthcare environments, medical interpreters bridge communication gaps between patients and medical professionals, ensuring accurate and sensitive conveyance of health information.
  • Court Interpreters: Operating in legal settings, these interpreters facilitate clear communication in courtrooms, legal consultations, and legal documents, maintaining the integrity of legal proceedings.
  • Business and Professional Interpreters: In the corporate world, interpreters support international business meetings, conferences, and negotiations, enabling smooth and effective communication across languages.

The Ordinary Reality of Professional Standards

Standards are the protocol police, the fun spoilers that keep everything annoyingly consistent. They’re the stick-in-the-muds that insist your legal document translation adheres to the same quality metrics every time. Yawn.

But hold that yawn—because the minute standards slip, chaos ensues. Imagine a world where every translator uses their own style guide, a land where interpreters have whims and quirks, and where the meaning of critical medical terms is a venture of chance.

A World Without Interpreter Standards

  1. Legal Document Confusion: Imagine needing a legal document translated. Without set standards, each translator might interpret the terms differently, leading to misunderstandings and possible legal problems. For example, one translator might call a “binding agreement” a “suggested guideline,” confusing the court. Additionally, if translators come from varied training backgrounds, their skills might vary widely, leading to inconsistent translations.
  2. Medical Confusion: Imagine a medical setting where interpreters aren’t trained consistently. One might miss important symptoms because they don’t know medical terms well, another might leave out sensitive information to avoid embarrassment, and yet another might interrupt the patient, saying they’re wasting time. Standards in medical interpreting ensure accurate communication and proper patient care. Read more about the issues quality can cause in healthcare interpretation. 
  3. Business Confusion: Picture negotiating a global deal with each party using different translators who don’t follow the same standards. This could lead to misinterpretations of contract details, causing financial losses or failed agreements. Consistent translation standards make sure everyone understands the terms correctly.

The True Importance of Standards

Standards are the unsung heroes of consistency. They’re the reason your international business deals don’t fall apart, your legal documents hold up in court, and your medical instructions are accurately conveyed. They bring harmony to the otherwise disordered and messy tendencies of interpreting and translating.

  1. Quality Assurance: Standards in translation ensure that all translations meet a certain quality level. This means accurate, clear, and reliable translations, whether it’s a novel, a technical manual, or a marketing campaign. Without these standards, the quality could vary wildly, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications.
  2. Professionalism: Standards in interpreting ensure that interpreters are adequately trained and certified. This guarantees that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively, whether in a courtroom, a hospital, or a business meeting.
  3. Consistency: Standards ensure that terminology and style remain consistent across translations. This is crucial for maintaining a brand voice in marketing materials, ensuring legal terms are accurately conveyed, and keeping medical information clear and precise.

A colleague (who shall remain anonymous) recently remarked that companies prioritizing market demands grow faster than those focusing on standards. While this may hold, it raises an important question: at what cost does this growth occur? Prioritizing immediate market demands might lead to rapid expansion, but it could also result in compromised quality, ethical concerns, or long-term sustainability issues. 

Learn more about becoming a certified interpreter. 

In the pursuit of growth, are we sacrificing the foundational standards that ensure the integrity and reliability of the services we provide? It’s worth considering whether the trade-off is truly beneficial in the long run. I believe that adherence to standards fosters growth by serving as a differentiator in the marketplace.

Understanding Key Language Concepts in Interpreter Training

In the world of interpreter training, grasping the distinction between “target language” and “official language” is essential for effective communication. These concepts play a crucial role in how interpreters deliver accurate and meaningful translations. Let’s explore what each term means and why they are important for interpreters striving to master their craft.

Target Language

In interpreter training, the “target language” refers to the language into which the interpreter translates or conveys the message. For instance, if an interpreter is translating from English to French, French is the target language. It’s the language that the interpreter’s audience will understand and receive.

Official Language

The “official language” in the context of interpreter training refers to the language that is officially used in a specific country, organization, or institution. For example, Canada’s official languages are English and French, and in an international organization, the official languages might include multiple languages based on its operational needs. Interpreters working in these settings must be proficient in the official languages to facilitate accurate and effective communication.

The Importance of Everyday Standards

Next time you walk up or down a staircase, consider how much you rely on its adherence to safety standards: one step an inch too high or too low will quickly reveal just how crucial those standards are. So, while some may scoff at the mention of standards, in truth standards are the tools that guard against market chaos and offer consumer safety. 

They may not be glamorous, but their quiet consistency ensures that the language industry operates smoothly and contributes to a reasonable expectation of reliability. And in a world without them, you’d be longing for the predictability they bring. 

Standards may not be sexy, but they’re undeniably essential. And maybe their essentiality makes them stimulating after all. Want to learn more about specialty courses available with The Interpreter’s Lab book an info session. 

The Evolution of Interpreting as a Profession

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Introduction to Community Interpreting

Community interpreting, or what can be called dialogue interpreting as the interpreter works in and out of both languages, has been around for a very long time. Studies show that it goes back as far as ancient Greece, predating what many have now come to think of as interpreting – that image of a conference interpreter. But while the conference interpreter, replete with technical equipment and highly-regarded clients, gains that admiration of many, the work of community interpreters is done in the anonymity of hospital wards, immigration offices, school rooms, financial aid services and across countless other settings where everyday people and everyday lives unfold. As important as the work of conference interpreting, community interpreting acts to connect the necessary public (and private) services that serve the residents of a region. It may not seem as glamorous, but it is every bit as rewarding and dynamic.

Growing Need for Trained Interpreters

The need for duly and properly trained interpreters in all settings has seen a steady increase, not only in Canada, but across the globe, as human migration now affects almost all corners of our world. Along with that increase, is the need for quality communication in situations that are not only important, but life altering. Minor errors in medical, public services and law enforcement settings can affect the trajectory of a person’s life. There are many documented cases in healthcare and legal settings, as well as studies showing this to be true – but there are so many more that have not been documented, that are anecdotal and that raise concerns over what practices continue to be used in our communities 

In conversation with a fluently bilingual friend of mine the other day, we started talking about interpreting and how she’d dabbled in it some years ago in a charitable act of ‘helping out’. The conversation steered toward the differences between bilinguals and interpreters, and we soon got into the fine distinctions between the two. 

The Art and Skill of Interpreting

Interpreting is a profession that, together with translation, involves the transfer of meaning from one language to another, from one speaker/signer to a listener. While translation is transmission done in written form (including digital copy) interpreting is done orally or in signed form. Interpreting is essentially an act of communication that utilizes language as the vehicle for transmitting the speaker’s/signer’s intentions, thoughts, feelings, or motivations. So, while language is critical, it is not the only skill required. Much like the much-used analogy of having two hands does not make one a concert pianist, being bilingual does not make one an interpreter. An interpreter, in the course of their education, acquires additional skills and knowledge, while building and fine-tuning their abilities and natural traits.

Essential Skills for Community Interpreters

Effective interpreting hinges on several key skills: fluency in both the source and target languages, active listening, and cultural competence. Memory retention and note-taking are critical for accuracy and maintaining fidelity to the intended message, while critical thinking and problem-solving abilities enable community interpreters to navigate complex situations. Emotional resilience and stress management are also key in the dynamic, high-pressure environments of public services, law enforcement and medical settings. 

Continuous Professional Development For Interpreters

An interpreter’s education does not end once their program of study ends. As a professional whose skills grow and become more defined through practice, continuous professional development and training play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing these skills, ensuring that an interpreter remains proficient and adapts expertly in their work. As the world around us evolves, and as new realities – such as online interpreting applications, artificial intelligence (A.I.) and other emerging technologies – touch upon the work of an interpreter, new practices and protocols are also introduced. 

Becoming a Community Interpreter

So, how does a bilingual person become an interpreter? The journey begins with finding a good school, but what makes a school good? It’s crucial to check the school’s reputation by speaking with others who have taken courses there and contacting local interpreting service agencies for their recommendations. A comprehensive curriculum is essential, capturing all important aspects of interpretation, such as ethics and standards of practice, listening and comprehension, interpersonal and intercultural competence, memory, note-taking, sight translation skills as well as consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills. 

Additionally, it’s important to consider whether the program offers real, live classroom experiences or if it is entirely self-directed. For reasons of confidentiality and personal privacy laws, gaining practical experience through internships or practicums is difficult to do, so a training program that features a real teacher, where you work in a classroom setting (physical or virtual) and can discuss and engage with other students is significant and will greatly benefit your learning. 

Seeking mentoring opportunities or connecting with a network of interpreters will also immensely help not only your introduction to the field but will offer ongoing support and guidance as you gain experience. 

The Future of Community Interpreting

As the field of community interpreting grows, training and educational opportunities should also advance to incorporate new realities of the working world – and interpreters need to take part in ongoing learning to enhance their work and career. At The Interpreter’s Lab our courses are updated to reflect best practices and promising standards as outlined in the ISO standards, as well as influenced by the daily working world of our network of interpreters – sharing with us what it is that helps and promotes them in their work. 

Standardization in Interpreter Training and Certification

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Who is Educating the Interpreter?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) brings global experts together to establish the best practices for various activities, from product creation to process management. Founded in 1946, ISO has been instrumental in fostering trade and cooperation worldwide, making lives easier, safer, and better through its International Standards.

ISO and the Standardization of Interpreter Training

When I first engaged with ISO in 2010, I was introduced to a community of remarkable professionals whose ideas and achievements were both impressive and inspiring. The discussions at each meeting were thoughtful and deliberate, although professional debates and arguments were not uncommon. This diversity of expert input is essential for creating the best standards.

Key ISO Standards in Interpreting

In 2014, ISO published ISO 13611: Interpreting — Guidelines for Community Interpreting, followed by:

  • ISO 18841: Interpreting services — General requirements and recommendations (2018)
  • ISO 20228: Interpreting services — Legal interpreting — Requirements (2019)
  • ISO 21998: Interpreting services — Healthcare interpreting — Requirements and recommendations (2020)

Standards like these evolve with the changing world, evidenced by the recent updates to ISO 13611 (now ISO 13611: 2024) and the ongoing review of ISO 18841.

The Need for a Training Standard

By 2019, with three standards focusing on interpreting in public services, particularly healthcare, I reflected on their significance. Despite their importance, I realized a critical gap: the pathway for interpreters to achieve these competencies was unclear. Barriers such as cost, location, and languages offered limited access to interpreter training.

This gap led me to envision a new standard dedicated to the education and training of interpreters in community-based settings. Initially keeping my idea private, I began sharing it in 2017 with Maryse Benhoff, the ISO TC37 / SC 5 International Chair.

ISO’s Role in Standardizing Certification

ISO plays a crucial role in standardizing certification processes across various fields, including interpreter training. By establishing clear guidelines and requirements, ISO ensures that certification processes are consistent, reliable, and recognized globally. This standardization helps in maintaining high-quality services and fosters trust among clients and professionals.

Developing the Education and Training Standard

With Maryse Benhoff’s support and recognition from other interpreting experts, a new work item was proposed in 2021 to outline requirements and recommendations for Education and Training for Interpreting in Community Settings. This project, initiated eleven years after my involvement with ISO, culminated in the development of a new standard.

The journey was challenging, but with the support of an incredible team, we persevered. I am immensely grateful to Maryse Benhoff, Marguerite Lely, Christine Reinhardt, Dr. Deborah Russell, Jeanette Nicholson, and Remco Reuter. Remco joined as a working group member, later becoming part of the editorial group and eventually taking over as convener when I stepped down.

Future of the Standard

This fall, we are set to submit the final version of this standard, with publication as a Technical Specification (TS) scheduled for November 2024. Our goal is for it to achieve full requirements standard status under ISO in the coming years. This achievement highlights the collective effort and ISO’s commitment to enhancing quality across all services and sectors.

I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful work and for the unwavering support of everyone involved in bringing this standard to fruition.

The Evolution of Interpreter Standards in Canada

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The interpreting service provider (ISP) industry in Canada has seen significant development since the establishment of the National Standards Guide on Community Interpreting Services (NSGCIS) in 2007. This guide aimed to ensure consistency and high quality in community interpreting services across various sectors, including health, government, legal, education, and social services. It set out requirements for providing quality community interpreting services, promoting excellence through assessment, training, strategic hiring practices, continuous performance monitoring, and professional recognition.

Key ISO Standards in Interpreting

Since the publication of the NSGCIS, a series of ISO standards have addressed the broader landscape of interpreting, focusing on specialized domains such as legal and healthcare. These standards include:

  • ISO 13611:2024: Interpreting — Requirements and recommendations for community interpreting (first published in 2014 and republished after a systematic review)
  • ISO 18841:2018: Interpreting services — General requirements and recommendations
  • ISO 20228:2019: Interpreting services — Legal interpreting — Requirements
  • ISO 21998:2020: Interpreting services — Healthcare interpreting — Requirements and recommendations 
  • ISO 23155:2022: Interpreting services — Conference interpreting — Requirements and recommendations

Despite these established standards and advancements, the community interpreting sector remains largely unregulated, with no mandatory accreditation for ISPs. This has resulted in a wide variation in standards and practices.

Challenges in the Industry

Language and skills assessments, such as the CILISAT and ILSAT exams, are available in various languages, but no single clear guidance on the best path exists. The Canadian Language Industry Association (CLIA), formerly AILIA, launched a certification program in early 2010 to foster professionalism and reliability among ISPs. However, the decision on minimum qualifications for interpreters and who is deemed qualified for specific assignments remains at the discretion of individual ISPs.

This lack of regulation often becomes apparent when I receive calls from individuals working as interpreters who have never received formal training. Many are shocked to discover the depth of skills and knowledge required for their critically important work. The errors resulting from untrained interpreters can have serious consequences for people’s health, wealth, liberties, and freedoms, as well as inefficiencies and costs borne by the system.

Training Opportunities and the Need for Standardization

Training opportunities for community interpreters in Canada range from brief orientation sessions to extensive 180-hour college certificate programs. However, a common framework and ethical mandate forming a standard approach to education and training are missing. Currently, there is a hodgepodge approach that allows dangerous practices and unscrupulous actors to gain ground. While the need for interpreters continues to grow, the availability of courses for interpreter education has been declining in recent years.

Learn more about how standards were created.

Efforts by Certifying and Accrediting Bodies

Certifying and accrediting bodies such as ATIO, ATIA, ATIS, ATIM, ATINS, CTTIC, CTINB, OCCI, OTTIAQ, and STIBC have seen growth in membership and provide independent credentialing mechanisms separate from ISPs and training institutions. These bodies, alongside initiatives by the Canadian Language Industry Association (CLIA), work to consolidate the industry, enhance professional recognition, and promote the importance of community interpreting through conformity assessments, certification efforts, and public education campaigns.

The Role of ISO in Standardizing Certification

ISO plays a crucial role in standardizing certification processes across various fields, including interpreter training. By establishing clear guidelines and requirements, ISO ensures consistent, reliable, and globally recognized certification processes. This standardization helps maintain high-quality services and fosters trust among clients and professionals.

Sustaining Excellence in Interpreter Training: Challenges and Commitments

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In the ever-evolving landscape of interpreting, ensuring excellence in training programs is crucial. As a veteran of the interpreting industry since 1989, I have witnessed significant changes, including the rise and fall of various educational programs. This article explores the challenges faced by interpreter training programs and the unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards in this essential field.

Historical Context

Interpreter training in Canada has a rich history marked by key milestones and significant contributions to the profession. Over the years, various institutions have offered comprehensive programs to train interpreters, addressing the growing need for skilled professionals in diverse sectors such as healthcare, legal, and public services.

The Role of The Interpreter’s Lab

Founded in 2012, The Interpreter’s Lab was created as an auxiliary to post-secondary interpreter training courses, focusing on professional development to address the growing need for consistent, robust, and dependable training. Our vision remains to provide training that helps interpreters develop their skills, advance their careers, and maintain their competence. We strive to balance cost, effectiveness, comprehensiveness, and responsiveness to the marketplace, always with a firm view on evolving best practices and international standards.

Challenges in Interpreter Training

Program Closures

Shortly after our inception, Vancouver Community College (VCC) closed its interpreter programs, which were among the most comprehensive in the country and internationally esteemed. As a sessional instructor with VCC at the time, and a developer of numerous curriculum models delivered across the province, I was approached by various community stakeholders to fill this gap. In response, we expanded our offerings to provide more comprehensive training based on the curriculum models we had developed over the years.

Recently, we were disappointed to hear about Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) decision to close their interpreting and translation programs. The SFU program, specific to Mandarin/English in healthcare and legal settings, was a vital resource. Its closure will significantly impact current and future students, program staff, and existing firms and agencies, especially government services, that rely on properly trained interpreters. We hope to assist in filling the gap left by SFU’s program and work with all stakeholders to ensure that properly trained interpreters continue to support essential government services, making them accessible to all in the community.

Declining Educational Opportunities

Throughout my over three decades in this profession, the demand for interpreters, especially in healthcare, has steadily increased, while educational opportunities and standards (with few exceptions) have declined. We have continued to offer these programs because we believe interpreters are an integral part of any community and a crucial component of the Canadian landscape.

The Importance of Standards

ISO TC 37/SC 5 and International Standards

As a member of the International Standards Committee on Language and Terminology – ISO TC 37/SC 5 – since 2010, I am a strong advocate for the importance of adhering to standards. These standards ensure consistency, reliability, and quality in interpreter training and services.

Learn more about why interpreter standards matter. 

The New Standard for Training Programs in Community Interpreting

In 2021, I initiated a standard on Training Programs in Community Interpreting, set to publish in fall 2024. While aimed at community interpreting, this standard applies to all community-based settings—healthcare, public services, and law enforcement. This initiative was driven by the rise of numerous programs that claimed to educate bilinguals to work as interpreters without adhering to proper standards.

The Role of Interpreters in the Community

Interpreters play a vital role in various sectors, ensuring effective and accurate communication, maintaining confidentiality, and respecting the autonomy of all parties involved. They are crucial in healthcare, public services, and law enforcement, contributing significantly to public efficiency and reducing costs.

Addressing Misconceptions

Interpreting vs. Bilingualism

One common misconception is equating interpreting with bilingualism. Being bilingual does not automatically qualify someone to be an interpreter. Professional interpreters possess specific skills, competencies, and knowledge essential for their role, including maintaining confidentiality, ensuring effective communication, and respecting the autonomy of all parties in a session.

The Value of Professional Training

Professional interpreter training provides significant benefits, including improved communication, reduced public spending through efficiencies, and enhanced service quality. It is essential to recognize the value of professional training in developing competent interpreters.

Commitment to Excellence

The Interpreter’s Lab’s Approach

We continue to offer training programs, sustained by an exceptional roster of skilled, experienced, professional instructors from across the country. Despite challenges such as low enrolment, we remain dedicated to providing high-quality education and training. Our programs aim to create a united community through effective communication, celebrating the diversity and autonomy of individuals.

Overcoming Challenges

To address low enrolment and other challenges, we are committed to raising awareness about the importance of professional interpreter training and advocating for industry standards. We aim to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance the recognition and support of interpreter training programs.

The Future of Interpreter Training

Adapting to Market Needs

The Interpreter’s Lab plans to adapt to changing market needs by continuously updating our training programs and methodologies. We aim to stay ahead of industry trends and ensure our offerings remain relevant and effective.

Collaboration and Support

We believe in the power of collaboration with stakeholders, including educational institutions, certifying bodies, and industry professionals, to support and develop interpreter training programs. By working together, we can ensure the sustainability and excellence of interpreter training.

Interpreter training is essential for maintaining high-quality interpreting services across various sectors. Despite the challenges, The Interpreter’s Lab remains committed to sustaining excellence in this field. Our dedication to providing robust, dependable training and advocating for industry standards ensures that interpreters can continue to play a vital role in our communities.

For more information on our programs and initiatives, visit The Interpreter’s Lab. Together, we can build a stronger, more effective community through the power of professional interpreting.

Interpreting Goes Beyond the Classroom

Connecting with the Interpreter Community: Benefits of Membership and Networking

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As a hands-on profession, or as Dean and Pollard* have called it, a ‘practice profession’, interpreting goes beyond the classroom: Interpreters cannot effectively do their work with only theoretical knowledge, language skills and a code of conduct in hand. While language skills and ethical guidelines are essential, much of an interpreter’s expertise develops through real-world experience. Interpreting is an active, interpersonal, and intercultural profession where learning predominantly occurs on the job. But how can interpreters gauge whether their practice is enhancing their skills? Often, feedback from the agencies with which we work, though valuable, can be infrequent and may not fully capture the nuances of our role. Moreover, clear guidance is often scarce, leaving interpreters to navigate their professional growth largely on their own.

“As professionals, we need a professional organization to help us learn about new trends, new terminologies, and new techniques in this constantly changing world; we also need our peers and colleagues to exchange with and talk about our experience so that we can improve our skills; we need to learn new information and knowledge in our area and industry so that we can keep up with our professional standards; we also need friends in our area to interact with and to find support from. TIL provides me with all of the above. They are not only just a professional organization but also a big family. They also provide us with great opportunities to get professional training – we learn so much from the monthly professional development series. And I have certainly benefited hugely from these trainings. I just love TIL and I always recommend it to whoever loves their interpreting professionals. When you join TIL, you are not alone anymore, you are surrounded by a big and very supportive family!”
Swan – Member since 2021

The Interpreter Community in Canada

Community interpreting differs from other environments in that it seldom provides practical training or mentorship opportunities. Once formal training concludes interpreters must rely on their own resources and skills to manage their assignments, clients, agencies, and administrative tasks. Navigating this path can often feel isolating. That’s precisely why The Interpreter’s Lab was created – to offer a supportive community where interpreters can not only advance their professional skills but also foster personal and career growth. Our platform provides a space for interpreters to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other, enhancing peer support and guidance. Our members have a diverse range of experiences, from over 30 years to just a few months working as an interpreter, across multiple sectors including community, medical, legal, business, conference interpreting, and translation and localization work.

“The course has helped me in gaining employment and having applied what I learned makes my job a lot easier when I am interpreting.”
Manju – Student – 2022

Benefits of an Interpreter Training Membership

Working as an interpreter in community-based settings can have its challenges – finding training, getting support and achieving recognition. In Canada, a network of professional membership associations affiliated under the banner of CTTIC (the Canadian Translators, Terminologist and Interpreter’s Council) – such ATIO (Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario, ATIA (Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta) and STIBC (The Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia) provide access to credentialing and certified titles. While important, these associations do not focus their mandates strictly on the unique and nuanced role of the interpreter in community- based settings, nor on interpreter training.

The Interpreter’s Lab (TIL) is dedicated to elevating the status of interpreters who play a crucial role in community settings—acting as vital communication links between essential services and the clients who need them. While our membership programs offer tangible benefits such as monthly speaker series, masterclasses, and significant training discounts, our commitment extends further. We actively advocate for better working conditions and greater recognition for interpreters by engaging with key stakeholders nationally and internationally- emphasizing the indispensable value of interpreters, particularly in community, healthcare, and law enforcement sectors.

“If you want to improve and keep current as a professional, you need to be a member of the TIL
Jennifer – Member since 2021

Building Your Network

Connections and networks form the foundation of all professional fields, but they are especially critical in professions where practitioners are geographically scattered and not tied to a single organizational employer. These networks are vital for communicating with peers, sharing experiences, and learning from the experiences of others, enriching both personal and professional growth. While social media provides a space for engagement, it cannot substitute for real-time connections and conversations. At TIL, we prioritize live, interactive workshops over webinars. Each session is designed to be participatory—got a question? Pose it directly during the session and receive immediate, pertinent feedback from our expert speakers. Engage with your peers in the chat, share experiences, and ask questions like “Have you ever experienced…?” Genuine interaction is irreplaceable in building a supportive community. See and hear your colleagues in a safe, interpreter-only space.

“Thank you for all the great workshops you organize. Not only do they make us better professionals, they provide us with a space to meet other interpreters.”
Yone – Member since 2021

TIL was forged in 2012 from a vision to elevate and provide a network for interpreters in community environments, addressing a clear need for a collaborative and dynamic space. Our initiatives are shaped by the day-to-day challenges faced by these professionals, and we strive to offer relevant programs that have an impact, and which foster professional development. When you join TIL, you not only benefit from tangible products and services, but you gain access to a community of strong, supportive peers.

 

*Dean, Robyn & Pollard Jr, Robert. (2009). Consumers and Service Effectiveness in Interpreting Work: A Practice Profession Perspective. 10.1093/acprof/9780195176940.003.0011.

Becoming a Certified Interpreter

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In a previous blog on being a Certified Interpreter in Canada we provided an overview of what it means to be certified and the steps involved, restated here:

Steps in the Process:

  • Join the provincial CTTIC affiliate as an Associate Member
  • Pay the application fee
  • Gain admission to the Society as Associate Member
  • Pay the full annual membership fee
  • Sit for the certification exam provided by CTTIC (The Canadian Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters Council) – a national exam recognized by all provincial translation societies and associations in Canada.

How to Become a Certified Interpreter in Ontario 

The pathway to being a certified interpreter is the same regardless of which CTTIC-affiliated professional association is represented in your province: from STIBC in BC to ATIO in Ontario and ATINS in Nova Scotia – all the seven-member associations similarly administer the CTTIC exams. 

Achieving certification requires clearing the CTTIC examination. The creation of these examinations and supervision of the exam protocol is the responsibility of CTTIC; however, the actual delivery of the exams is not within their scope. This task is delegated to the provincial member agencies. 

Overview of ATIO (Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario) Certification Process

While many provinces possess a member agency affiliated with CTTIC, this is not the case for every province. In Ontario, that membership body is the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario or ATIO and those seeking to take the CTTIC examination should direct their applications to these member agencies at the provincial level.

While it’s possible to sit for the CTTIC exams, in certain cases, with no formal training going in the field, this can lead to unsuccessful attempts and could end up being a costly gamble without the payoff you’re hoping for. The smart move is to start with building a solid foundation by acquiring the essential skills, knowledge, and competencies through a reputable education and training program. This preparation will fortify your professional capabilities. Educational institutions and organizations are crucial in providing the resources and support you need for this stage.

Sometimes however you simply need a refresher or some preparation with a skilled mentor, rather than retaking a course. At The Interpreter’s Lab we offer both short-term courses that teach the foundational skills tested in the CTTIC exams, as well as exam preparation packages where you get to work one-on-one with a skilled mentor and coach. 

Note also that the pathway to certification includes first becoming an Associate member, and some of the Certified titles may also require a minimum number of hours of experience working in the designated setting. 

Tips to Prepare for The Interpreter Certification Exam

You may also consider taking an assessment of your language and interpreting skills through other measures in the interim, for example, the CILISAT, the Community Interpreter and Language Interpreting Skills Assessment Tool. Since 1994, the CILISAT was established as a proprietary-owned assessment tool that is administered by authorized testing centers across Canada. The CILISAT focuses primarily on sight translation and dialogue or consecutive interpreting in both of an interpreter’s working languages. 

While it only measures the interpreting and language skills associated with community interpreting, it can be a very good tool to have in your interpreter toolkit. You can take the CILISAT at any point during your practice, or even before you begin your journey as a measure of your current skills. 

The Interpreter’s Lab, as an authorized testing center, offers the CILISAT at competitive rates to support interpreters and your successful completion of the CILISAT is accepted in all provinces, including Ontario. 

Why is Certification Important?

Whichever is your pathway, certification is an important element of any profession. Having a certification process provides the consumer with a measure of confidence in the skills and abilities of the professional with which they are working. But certification is only one part of the professional profile, and all the other important components should also be acknowledged: education, experience and continued competence. The pathway does not end at the certification. 

If you are interested in our examination preparation packages, you can find out more by contact us at admin@209.182.202.254 or you can attend one of our free monthly information sessions by booking your spot here: The Interpreter’s Lab Individual Programs Information Session.

Elevating a Profession: Interpreting Services in the Public Sector

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Presentation at the ASPECT2023 Conference

At The Interpreter’s Lab it is our mission to bring the importance of utilizing the services of trained interpreters to the forefront and to fight for improved working conditions. We take every opportunity to advocate and to build awareness by educating consumers of all types: businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations.

“Trained interpreters in the public sector are indispensable for ensuring effective communication and equitable access to essential services. Their expertise bridges language gaps, fostering a more inclusive and just society.”

To that mission, vision and end, I am happy to announce that I will be co-presenting a session on “Professional Interpreting Services in Community and Public Services.” Joining me is Ahmad Maaliji from OPTIONS BC, and we will be sharing our insights and experiences with the participants at this event.

The ASPECT Conference: A Premier Gathering for Service Providers

The Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training (ASPECT) Conference brings together professionals from various fields to collaborate, learn, and share their expertise. The Conference attendees include municipal, provincial and federal government representatives, non-profit organizations, private enterprises, educational institutions, and more, with a focus on employment and work transformation.

Ahmad and I will present on our multi-organizational initiative which included OPTIONS BC, The Interpreter’s Lab, Vancouver Community College, and The Provincial Language Service (a program of the PHSA).  We will discuss the project’s successes and the lessons we’ve learned along the way, but our focus will be to underscore the importance of using trained interpreters in community and public services.

Why Qualified Interpreters Matter

Recognizing that many organizations still assign untrained bilinguals as interpreters without understanding that bilingual skills alone do not equate to professional competence in the interpreting field, we aim to foster interest and awareness during our time with the participant and also to provide tools that they can then take away and share at their workplaces and with their colleagues.

ISO Standards in Interpreting

The session will discuss the critical work of the International Standards Organization (ISO) TC 37/SC 5 in the field of translation, interpreting, and related technologies and will highlight ISO’s publications that center on the interpreting profession and the standards that guide it.

The importance of qualified interpreting services in community and public services cannot be overstated. We are excited about the numerous attendees already signed up for our session.

Professional Interpreting in Community and Public Services 

November 2 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

ASPECT Conference November 2 & 3
Radisson Vancouver Airport Hotel
8181 Cambie Street
Vancouver BC

The Vital Role of Quality Education for Interpreters Working in Community-Based Settings

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As our world continues to evolve, with communities experiencing a growing diversity of languages spoken, the need to bridge language barriers has become more important than ever. Interpreters play a critical role in various public services and community settings, acting as the vital link between essential services, and clients who do not speak the language of the service providers, but need to access these resources.

“The difference between a professional interpreter and a good-enough interpreter is that the professional interpreter understands the weight of their responsibility.”

– Angela Sasso

However, being an interpreter requires more than just being bilingual. To truly excel as a language interpreter, one must undergo appropriate, quality education, that is geared to the local community realities and needs.

Quality education equips language interpreters with a strong foundation and a comprehensive skill set central to success in their profession. Quality education:

  • Ensures interpreters have a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, including nuances, idioms, and cultural context. This proficiency is essential for accurate and effective communication.
  • Provides interpreters with the professional protocols and strategies for handling various interpreting situations, such as simultaneous and consecutive interpreting, enabling interpreters to convey messages accurately and in real-time.
  • Emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct in interpreting. Interpreters learn about confidentiality, impartiality, and the importance of respecting cultural differences. This knowledge is essential for maintaining trust and professionalism.
  • Provides foundational training in the specific terminology and protocols relevant to a field – specialized knowledge guaranteeing that interpreters are well-prepared for any encounter
  • Lays the foundation for commitment to lifelong learning, encouraging interpreters to stay updated on language developments and continuously improve their skills

Not having the necessary education in interpreting can lead to numerous challenges and consequences. Without proper education, interpreters may struggle to convey messages accurately, leading to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and potential harm to all involved that are relying on the interpreter’s services. Bilinguals, that do not have the requisite training to work as interpreters, frequently breach professional ethical standards, compromising confidentiality and right to privacy. In some cases, these inaccuracies, violations of ethical guidelines and professional standards, in addition to miscommunication due to inadequate professional competence, can lead to legal repercussions for interpreters, the organizations they work for, the clients that need to access the services, and the public services themselves.

One important point to note is that untrained bilinguals who promote themselves as interpreters tarnish the professional credibility of the thousands of well-educated, conscientious professionals who work daily to connect our communities across language barriers.

The importance of quality education for interpreters cannot be overstated. Education equips interpreters with the skills, knowledge, and ethical principles necessary to excel in their roles. It ensures that communication remains accurate, effective, and respectful of cultural differences, ultimately benefiting individuals and society.

For those aspiring to become language interpreters, investing in a comprehensive education program is not just a choice; it’s a necessity. The path to becoming a proficient and respected interpreter begins with proper education, and it is an investment that pays off in the form of a rewarding and impactful career.

To Be or Not To Be … Certified – Is that the question?

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To Be or Not To Be … Certified – Is that the question?
A Short Primer on Certification in Canada

Working as an interpreter in Canada can sometimes seem a little confusing, especially when it comes to certification or accreditation. What does it all mean?

Much like any other profession, interpreting has several distinct yet interconnected entities, involving many different bodies: educational and training organizations, professional testing and assessment, and professional membership and associations to protect and promote the profession. It also includes agencies that employ or utilize the services of interpreters.

While some professions may be governed by stringent legislation protecting a wide scope of activities at a national or provincial level, interpreting is a little different. In Canada we have something called ‘title protection’. An interpreter or translator can only be considered ‘Certified’ once they have achieved that status as granted by an affiliate member organization of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC).

Let’s take “Certified Community Interpreter” for example and see what it means to be a Certified community interpreter in Canada. To become certified, you must pass the CTTIC exam. CTTIC develops the exams and oversees the examination process but does not administer the individual exams. Instead, they are administered through provincial affiliates. Most provinces will have a CTTIC member agency, but not all provinces do. In British Columbia, that membership body is the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia or STIBC. Candidates apply to write the CTTIC exam through these provincially based organizations.

STIBC is responsible for administering all the exams for certified titles, including interpreting in community settings. Becoming a member of STIBC and being a Certified interpreter can be two distinct things. People can be associate members without becoming certified members – although there may be some restrictions around this. Being an associate member means that you must pass the STIBC exam but not the CTTIC exams.

“Associate Members are eligible to register for the CTTIC Certification Examinations. Translators and Interpreters who pass these exams can obtain the Reserved Occupational Title of “Certified”. Reserved, Occupational titles [include] Certified Translator, Certified Court Interpreter, Certified Conference Interpreter, Certified Community Interpreter and Certified Medical Interpreter” STIBC – https://stibc.org/membership/advantages/

If you achieve Certified status as a member of STIBC, you will always be a Certified interpreter. However, if you do not keep your membership in good standing with STIBC, you will no longer continue to be a member of that organization. Additionally, if you choose to move to Ontario (as an example) and would like to have your Certified status recognized, you will have to become a member of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO).

How does one become certified? Certification is a process. Anyone wanting to achieve professional certified status must first apply, and pass, the Associate Member category. After this achievement, interpreters can then choose their path: Conference, Court, Community, or Medical Interpreter Certification.

You could take the exam directly with STIBC, in some but not all instances, however, if you do not have any training or education in the field, it’s unlikely that you will pass. That could prove to be an expensive venture without getting the anticipated reward. Your first, and best, step is to obtain the necessary foundational skills, knowledge, and competences, through a quality education and training program. This will give you a strong base for your professional practice. This is where the educational agencies and organizations come into play.

You would enroll in and successfully complete a course, such as Interpreting in Community Settings, A Foundational Program, offered by The Interpreter’s Lab. Once this is done, it is recommended that you get some experience working as an interpreter before seeking certified status. Why is that? Because it is important to gather the experience and practice needed to thoughtfully, meaningfully, and professionally understand how to apply your professional skills, newly acquired competencies, and knowledge.

Are there other assessments that a community interpreter might consider? Yes! In Canada, we also have CILISAT, the Community Interpreter and Language Interpreting Skills Assessment Tool. Since 1994, the CILISAT was established as a proprietary-owned assessment tool that is administered by authorized testing centers across Canada. The CILISAT focuses primarily on sight translation and dialogue or consecutive interpreting in both of an interpreter’s working languages. While it only measures the interpreting and language skills associated with community interpreting, it can be a very good tool to have in your interpreter toolkit. You can take the CILISAT at any point during your practice, or even before you begin your journey as a measure of your current skills. The Interpreter’s Lab, as an authorized testing center, offers the CILISAT at competitive rates to support interpreters.

Do you need to be certified to work as an interpreter in Canada? No, you do not necessarily need to be certified to work as an interpreter in Canada. But being a certified interpreter may get you a better wage or even better working conditions. Ultimately, the decision as to whether you want to become a certified interpreter, be it a Certified Medical Interpreter, Certified Community Interpreter, Certified Court Interpreter, or Certified Conference Interpreter, is yours to make.

In some cases, when it comes to conference interpreting and translation, certified professionals are typically better positioned for more lucrative contracts, and in some cases, the application process or assignment is only available to Certified professionals. In the case of court interpreting, being a Certified Court Interpreter will put you at the upper end of the pay scale. So, there are definite benefits to becoming certified. In addition to demonstrating your commitment to professionalization in this field, it also is a signal to agencies that you have reached a status that demands better compensation.

If you’re interested in gaining more information on certification in Canada, either by checking out the links below or contacting us, feel free to do so.

In summary, what is a Certified Interpreter?

  • A Certified Interpreter is generally an interpreter who has successfully completed a certification examination or met specific requirements established by a certification authority, such as CTTIC
  • Certification often signifies a higher level of competence and recognition compared to basic accreditation. Accreditation is not generally offered to individuals in Canada.
  • In some cases, holding a Certified status may be mandatory for certain types of interpreting, especially in legal and court settings.

Steps in the Process:

  • Join the provincial CTTIC affiliate as an Associate Member
  • Pay the application fee
  • Gain admission to the Society as Associate Members
  • Pay the full annual membership fee
  • Sit for the certification exam provided by CTTIC (The Canadian Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters Council) – a national exam recognized by all provincial translation societies and associations in Canada.

NOTE: “Certification is recommended for interpreters and translators who have an extensive knowledge of translating and interpreting. If you are a novice in the field, please seek out education and gather experience first before you apply to become a member.” (source: STIBC)

Links of interest:

Education and Training Programs: https://www.interpreterslab.org/programs/

CILISAT: https://www.interpreterslab.org/language-assessment/

Professional Development Workshops: https://www.interpreterslab.org/prod-series-2023/

CTTIC: http://www.cttic.org/mission.asp

STIBC: http://www.stibc.org

ATIA: http://www.atia.ab.ca

ATIO: https://atio.on.ca/

Check out our Interpreter Training and Membership Programs: www.interpreterslab.org

Author’s Note – this article concerns spoken language interpreting. For interpreters interested in Sign Language Certification refer to CASLI – the Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters