Experience definition
Translation experience
Below you’ll find the translation experience criteria that OTTIAQ uses to evaluate certification applications. The criteria will vary depending on your situation
If you have completed studies in translation, you must have two years of work experience (440 days minimum) and have translated a minimum of:
- 220,000 words for the official languages (translation from French to English or vice versa)
- 160,000 words for Spanish (translation from Spanish to English or French, or vice versa)
- 60,000 words for other foreign languages
If you have not completed studies in translation, you must have four years of work experience (880 days minimum) and have translated a minimum of:
- 440,000 words for the official languages (translation from English to French or vice versa)
- 320,000 words for Spanish (translation from Spanish to English or French, or vice versa)
- 120,000 words for other foreign languages
Note: Practising translators may obtain the title of certified translator through combined experience as a translator, terminologist and interpreter; however, their main experience must be in translation.
Two years of experience as a translation teacher or lecturer (four university-level courses on the concepts of language transfer and written communication).
OR
Two years of research experience in language transfer.
OR
Completion of doctoral studies with courses taken and research conducted on language transfer.
Note: Practising translators may obtain the title of certified translator through combined experience as a translator, terminologist and interpreter; however, their main experience must be in translation.
Two years of experience as a reviser, quality controller, or project manager for language services, terminology databases, or localization. Positions must have focused on language transfer and written communication.
Note: Practising translators may obtain the title of certified translator through combined experience as a translator, terminologist and interpreter; however, their main experience must be in translation.
Translation samples
You must provide a varied selection of ten substantial translation samples. They must have been revised only by you and not by anyone else and demonstrate your relevant work experience. They must be at least 500 words each, all in your specific language combination.
The source text must be provided for each sample submitted. The source and target texts must match up perfectly. Official documents (civil status certificates, driver’s licences, diplomas and transcripts) are not accepted. In all cases, including samples of published translations, the samples must have been revised only by you and not by anyone else.
Your samples must be recent, translated only by you, and revised only by you and not by anyone else. Remember that it is your own skills that are being assessed. However, you may revise your samples before submitting them.
Note: The samples provided will be destroyed once you become a member.
Terminology experience
Below you’ll find the terminology experience criteria that OTTIAQ uses to evaluate certification applications. The criteria will vary depending on your situation.
Two years of work experience (minimum 440 days of work).
Note: Practising terminologists may obtain the title of certified terminologist through combined experience as a translator, terminologist and interpreter; however, their main experience must be in terminology.
Two years of experience as a terminology teacher or lecturer (four university-level courses on the concepts of language transfer and written communication).
OR
Two years of experience researching language transfer.
OR
Completion of doctoral studies with courses taken and research conducted on language transfer.
Note: Practising terminologists may obtain the title of certified terminologist through combined experience as a translator, terminologist and interpreter; however, their main experience must be in terminology.
Two years of experience as a reviser, quality controller, or project manager for language services, terminology databases, or localization. Positions must have focused on language transfer and written communication.
Note: Practising terminologists may obtain the title of certified terminologist through combined experience as a translator, terminologist and interpreter; however, their main experience must be in terminology.
OTTIAQ recognizes a year and a half of professional experience for terminology candidates with a master’s degree that includes 15 credits of language transfer courses and 6 credits of related courses.
Terminology samples
You must provide 15 complete terminology records including the source, equivalents, context and synonyms, if applicable, as well as one of the following items: a term analysis, a synonym analysis, a lexicon or similar document (glossary, vocabulary, nomenclature, etc.), or a terminology-heavy translation.
Your samples must be recent, prepared only by you, and not revised by anyone else. Remember that it is your own skills that are being assessed. However, you may revise your samples before submitting them.
Note: The documents provided will be destroyed once you become a member.
Interpreting experience
Below you’ll find the interpreting experience criteria that OTTIAQ uses to evaluate certification applications. The criteria will vary depending on your situation.
Conference interpreters
Two years of work experience with a minimum of 150 days of interpreting.
Court interpreters
Two years of work experience with a minimum of 400 sessions.
Two years of experience as an interpreting teacher or lecturer (four university-level courses on the concepts of language transfer and written communication).
OR
Two years of experience researching language transfer.
OR
Completion of doctoral studies with courses taken and research conducted on language transfer.
Two years of experience as a linguistic services manager. Positions must have focused on language transfer.