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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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51114.03 – Interpreters

Interpreters translate oral communication from one language to another during speeches, meetings, conferences, debates and conversation, or in court or before administrative tribunals.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Community interpreter
  • Interpreter

Core competencies

  • Oral Communication: Active Listening to accurately grasp the meaning, intent and context of spoken information under pressure, adapting to dialects or specialized terminology
  • Oral Communication: Oral Expression to clearly, accurately and fluently convey complex information, ideas and nuances in real time, adapting tone and language to fit the cultural and contextual demands of both the source and target audience
  • Selective Attention to maintain strong focus on translating complex, dynamic conversations in real-time, filtering out irrelevant background information and distractions without loss of accuracy or comprehension
  • Speech Recognition and Verbal Ability to interpret subtle verbal cues, accents and linguistic nuances, and convey complex ideas fluently, clearly and contextually in both languages, ensuring precise and culturally appropriate communication
  • Attention to Detail to accurately capture complex linguistic nuances, cultural context and non-verbal cues in real time, ensuring precise and contextually appropriate translation
  • Knowledge in Languages to understand the nuances of languages and terminology in order to accurately translate oral communications to different languages while maintaining the content, context and style of the message

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Interpret oral communication from one language to another aloud or using electronic equipment, either simultaneously (as the speaker speaks), consecutively (after the speaker speaks) or whispered (speaking in a low whisper to one or two persons as the speaker is talking)
  • Provide interpretation services in court or before administrative tribunals
  • May interpret language for individuals and small groups travelling in Canada and abroad
  • May interpret for persons speaking an Aboriginal or foreign language in a variety of circumstances
  • May train other interpreters.

Additional information

  • Translators, terminologists and interpreters specialize in two languages, such as French and English, the official languages of Canada. They may also specialize in another language and one of the official languages. The main areas of specialization include administrative, literary, scientific and technical translation. Interpreters may specialize in court, parliamentary or conference interpretation.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

51 – Professional occupations in art and culture

Sub-major group

511 – Professional occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5111 – Writing, translating and related communications professionals

Unit group

51114 – Translators, terminologists and interpreters

Occupational profile

51114.03 – Interpreters

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.