Become a translator
Learn how to become a translator at the Translation Bureau
On this page
- Skills required to be a translator
- How to become a translator
- Working as a translator at the Translation Bureau
- How to enter into a contract to provide translation services to the Translation Bureau
- Related links
Skills required to be a translator
Translators are specialists in written communication. Their work involves transferring written text into another language, all while respecting the meaning and style of the message.
To successfully carry out their work, translators must:
- have excellent skills in their working languages
- write clearly and effectively
- know how to do research using paper and electronic resources as part of their work
- be proficient in techno-linguistic tools like translation memories and machine translation
- be able to provide language advice
It is also useful for translators to:
- specialize in a certain field (for example, law or finance)
- be proficient in more than 2 languages (proficiency in an Indigenous language or foreign language is an asset)
How to become a translator
Numerous academic institutions across Canada offer translation studies programs. To learn more, visit the web pages of member universities of the Canadian Association of Schools of Translation or look up your province or territory’s order or association of translators.
Working as a translator at the Translation Bureau
The Translation Bureau generally requires its translators to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in translation.
In specialized fields where there is a need, the Translation Bureau may accept:
- a combination of a university degree (certificate, master’s or bachelor’s) in the specified field and
- a double major in translation (30 credits in language transfer and 15 credits in related courses)
For foreign language positions, the Translation Bureau may accept:
- a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or
- a double major in translation (30 credits in language transfer and 15 credits in related courses)
Languages in demand
The Translation Bureau mainly employs official languages translators. It is also looking for translators who, in addition to being proficient Canada's official languages, are proficient in a foreign language such as the following:
- Arabic
- Mandarin
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Ukrainian
Job opportunities as a translator at the Translation Bureau are posted as the need arises on the Government of Canada Jobs page.
How to enter into a contract to provide translation services to the Translation Bureau
The Translation Bureau works with private-sector suppliers to deliver some of its translation services to Parliament and the Government of Canada. To learn what criteria you need to meet and how to provide your translation services as a service provider, visit the following pages:
- Offering your translation services in official languages
- The Translation Bureau is specifically looking for official languages translation services in the fields of parliamentary proceedings, law and immigration.
- A special qualification process has been put in place for the immigration field.
- The Translation Bureau is specifically looking for official languages translation services in the fields of parliamentary proceedings, law and immigration.
- Offering your translation services in Indigenous languages or foreign languages
- The Translation Bureau is specifically looking for translation services in Indigenous languages.