Careers in Justice > Legal Translator and Court Interpreter
Profession at a Glance
Legal documents and court hearings can be challenging when they are in a language different than our own. Thankfully, legal translators and court interpreters are there to translate for us so we can make informed decisions about the law.
Legal translators work primarily with written documents, using their legal vocabulary to translate texts from one language to another.
Court interpreters translate on the spot what is being said in a courtroom.
To learn more about the work of legal translators and court interpreters, click through the tabs above.
Legal translators work primarily with written documents, using their legal vocabulary to translate texts from one language to another.
Court interpreters translate on the spot what is being said in a courtroom.
To learn more about the work of legal translators and court interpreters, click through the tabs above.
Job Description
Legal translators and court interpreters both specialize in legal language. You may have noticed that some legal words are new to you. For example, an emphyteusis is a word you may never have heard before. It is a word to describe a special kind of rental agreement. Other words have a totally different meaning in legal language than in regular use. For example, a prescription in the law means an expiry date instead of a doctor’s order for medication.
Both legal translators and court interpreters must understand multiple languages to perform their jobs. However the type of work they do differs because legal translators focus their time on translating legal documents, while court interpreters focus on interpretation (a kind of verbal translation).
Legal translators are employed in law firms, the government, specialized translation companies or as freelance translators working by themselves. Did you know that the Translation Bureau for the Canadian federal government is one of the largest employers of translators in the world?
Court interpreters carry out their work mostly in the court system or in law firms.
Both legal translators and court interpreters must understand multiple languages to perform their jobs. However the type of work they do differs because legal translators focus their time on translating legal documents, while court interpreters focus on interpretation (a kind of verbal translation).
Translating Legal Documents
Legal translators work on all sorts of important documents, such as contracts, court judgements, wills, legal memos, etc. In Canada, which is a bilingual country, translators are kept busy because all official laws and publications of the federal government must be available in English and French.
Unlike court interpreters, who must do their work on the spot, legal translators are able to spend longer periods of time on their translations. It’s important that they take the time to reflect and check things twice, since the documents they translate are often complex and cannot have mistakes.
Unlike court interpreters, who must do their work on the spot, legal translators are able to spend longer periods of time on their translations. It’s important that they take the time to reflect and check things twice, since the documents they translate are often complex and cannot have mistakes.
Interpretation
Where do legal translators and court interpreters work?
Court interpreters are responsible for instantly translating what is being said in the courtroom for their clients. They may work in many languages, including sign language. Court interpreters also work outside the courtroom during negotiations, and when witness testimony is taken. Like legal translators, people rely on court interpreters because they understand of legal terms and can translate between languages. Court interpreters have to think quickly and don’t have the same opportunity to look at the dictionary as legal translators, since they translate things as they happen in real time!
Legal translators are employed in law firms, the government, specialized translation companies or as freelance translators working by themselves. Did you know that the Translation Bureau for the Canadian federal government is one of the largest employers of translators in the world?
Court interpreters carry out their work mostly in the court system or in law firms.
Training
If you are thinking about becoming a legal translator or court interpreter, a university degree in translation would be helpful. The following universities in Quebec offer this degree:
After you have completed your degree you can apply to become a member of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec. As a member of this Ordre, you become a “certified translator” or “certified interpreter.” This professional certification tells the public and future employers that your skills are of a high level and it can be helpful in getting jobs. For more information, visit the website of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec.
Although a legal education (such as a DEC in paralegal technology or a university degree in law) is not always required by employers, it is a huge asset for anyone who wants to become a legal translator or court interpreter.The University of Ottawa offers a specialized master's in legal translation for those who have a law degree and want to become a legal translator. This program takes one year and a half to complete.
To learn more about the training and job prospects (salary, rate of growth of the profession, etc.) of legal translators and court interpreters, take a look at the Job Futures website.
Useful High School Courses
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a legal translator or court interpreter:
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school that could prepare for this career.
- Concordia University
- Université de Montréal
- Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO)
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- Université de Sherbrooke
After you have completed your degree you can apply to become a member of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec. As a member of this Ordre, you become a “certified translator” or “certified interpreter.” This professional certification tells the public and future employers that your skills are of a high level and it can be helpful in getting jobs. For more information, visit the website of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec.
Although a legal education (such as a DEC in paralegal technology or a university degree in law) is not always required by employers, it is a huge asset for anyone who wants to become a legal translator or court interpreter.The University of Ottawa offers a specialized master's in legal translation for those who have a law degree and want to become a legal translator. This program takes one year and a half to complete.
To learn more about the training and job prospects (salary, rate of growth of the profession, etc.) of legal translators and court interpreters, take a look at the Job Futures website.
Useful High School Courses
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a legal translator or court interpreter:
- English Language Arts,
- French, Spanish, German, etc. as a Second Language
- History and Citizenship Education
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school that could prepare for this career.
Are you right for the job?
Tu penses à une carrière de traducteur juridique ou d’interprète judiciaire? Check out this list of skills and learn how to develop them.
Attention to Detail
Legal translators and court interpreters must be able to find THE right word when translating between languages. If they mix up words or ideas, it can cause a lot of confusion.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You pay attention to details and are good at tasks that require precision, like playing Jenga or Tetris.
- People don’t hesitate to ask you to do work for them because they know that you will do a good job.
- When you watch a movie, you notice things others do not.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Play memory games and do jigsaw puzzles.
- Always proofread and revise your assignments and exams before handing them in.
- Be the person who does the final read of group project presentations to make sure there are no mistakes.
Neutrality
Is it very important that legal translators and court interpreters always translate exactly what they hear or read. They must remain neutral and unbiased at all times, and cannot let their personal feelings about an issue get in the way of their translation.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You are fair-minded during an argument between two people, even if your best friend is involved.
- You help people resolve conflicts without being controlled by your emotions.
- You can find solutions to issues involving your parents and your teachers.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Put yourself in the shoes of someone who does not share your opinions.
- Play the role of a mediator during a heated discussion between your friends and reconcile their points of view.
- Before giving your opinion on a topic that you don’t know much about, learn more about it so you can weigh the pros and cons.
Listening skills
In order to correctly translate a sentence you must have heard and understood it. This is why court interpreters must be excellent listeners. Court interpreters have to grasp the meaning of what is being said and translate it right away which requires the ability to listen, think and speak all at the same time!You have what you need to succeed if:
- You attentively listen to your friend’s private stories (and don’t share them with others).
- You listen to, but never interrupt, conversations between friends.
- You can easily remember the details of a story someone has told you.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Learn how to become an active listener (use techniques that help you remember what people tell you).
- Become a member of a support group to show that you can handle confidential information.
- Make a habit of mentally repeating key words when studying for exams.
Written Communication
Legal translators spend a lot of their time writing. Their work must accurately reflect the text they are translating in terms of meaning, style, and context. In fact, the translation of a document is written very carefully to make sure everything is right.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You enjoy preparing letters.
- You are able to spot typos and enjoy proofreading others people's work.
- You receive good marks in your French, English or literature classes.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Write articles for your school newspaper.
- Proofread and revise group work or your friend’s homework.
- Read books in English and French.
Did you know?
- The Criminal Code states that anyone accused of a crime has a right to have their case heard by a court that understands their language (English or French).
- The Canadian Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms give every citizen the right to use either English or French before any federal or Quebec court.