Become a conference interpreter
Conference interpreters are specialists in oral communication. They interpret spoken language into another language and work mostly at conferences, meetings, debates and events with speeches.
On this page
- Modes of conference interpretation
- Skills required to be a conference interpreter
- How to become a conference interpreter
- Working as a conference interpreter at the Translation Bureau
- Providing conference interpretation services as a contractor
- Related links
Modes of conference interpretation
Conference interpreters provide their services in the following 3 ways:
Simultaneous interpretation
- The interpreter works from a soundproof interpretation booth, connected to the conference room by a system of microphones and headphones.
- In real time, the interpreter repeats what people say in the room in another language.
- The interpretation is delivered in real time through attendees’ headphones.
Consecutive interpretation
- The interpreter is in the same room as the people speaking.
- The interpreter takes notes while people speak, then the interpreter summarizes what people said in a different language.
Whispered interpretation
- Whispered interpretation is also known as elbow interpretation.
- While whispering, the interpreter immediately repeats in another language what is said during the conference.
- The interpreter is positioned right next to the person or people who need their services so that those people can hear the interpretation without disturbing the rest of the audience.
Skills required to be a conference interpreter
To successfully carry out their work, conference interpreters must:
- have excellent skills in their working languages
- have good documentation, research and organizational abilities
- be able to concentrate to understand what is being said and simultaneously repeat it in the target language
- be able to keep calm under pressure
- have the confidence needed to express themselves in front of other people
It is also useful for conference interpreters to be proficient in more than 2 languages.
To learn more about the conference interpretation profession, watch Our people at work - Carly Johnson, parliamentary interpreter or read Conference interpreters: Athletes of communication.
How to become a conference interpreter
Four academic institutions in Canada teach conference interpreting:
- University of Ottawa
- Glendon campus at York University
- Laval University (available in French only)
- University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (available in French only)
Relevant experience in conference interpretation or another type of interpretation may suffice, as may other relevant studies in the language field.
Working as a conference interpreter at the Translation Bureau
To work as a conference interpreter at the Translation Bureau, you must:
- pass the Translation Bureau’s accreditation exam
- have experience in conference interpretation
A masters degree in conference interpretation is an asset.
Job opportunities as a conference interpreter at the Translation Bureau are posted as needed on the Government of Canada Jobs page.
Given its high demand for official languages interpretation, the Translation Bureau generally offers employment to those who pass its official languages accreditation exam.
Providing conference interpretation services as a contractor
The Translation Bureau works with private sector suppliers for part of its conference interpretation services to Parliament and the Government of Canada.
To learn how to qualify and apply as a service provider, visit the following pages:
- Offering your interpretation services in official languages
- Given its urgent official languages needs, the Translation Bureau offers a contract to those who pass its official languages accreditation exam.
- Offering your interpretation services in Indigenous languages or foreign languages
- The Translation Bureau is specifically looking for conference interpretation services in Indigenous languages.