Training and Development of Professional Translators in the Government of Canada Over the Years

Which profession can you enter that requires no adjustment period and allows you to hone your skills without any effort? Translation? Definitely not. However, for a very long time, federal government translators had no one but themselves on whom to rely for their professional development.

Experienced recruits

Recruitment from the 1880s to the early 1900s – Political appointments

There is a link between recruitment, and training and development. Up until the early 1900s, public servants owed their appointments to political favours. Still, it must be acknowledged, the incumbents were often competent. Those who had experience in the field were much sought after, and the incompetent fell by the wayside.

1908–1940: The profession begins its journey toward professionalism – Examinations

Starting in 1908, examination-based recruitment became the norm. The examinations for translators were very intensive. In 1913, the Blue Book competition examination lasted two days and consisted of one translation into French, one translation into English and a French writing exercise, all without the use of a dictionary. Out of more than 100 candidates, only 12 were accepted. The newcomers had either worked as journalists or lawyers, had a career in another field or were already public servants. They took up their duties without any other preparations. Recruitment continued that way until the 1940s. Proficient and experienced translators were hired from among the ranks of journalists and professionals.

Professional development – Translators left to fend for themselves

Self-training in the 1880s – Reading

Translators were responsible for their own professional development. Alphonse Lusignan, a translator with the Department of Inland Revenue in the 1890s, would take home a number of newspapers each night and pore over them with a fine-toothed comb. He built up files and willingly answered language-related questions from his colleagues. Was he the only one to do this? Surely not, but one thing was certain: he knew that being the only translator in his department meant that he had only himself to rely on for professional development.

1920 –1949: The Association is founded, translators train each other

Around the end of the 1910s, government translators came together and formed an association to help themselves with their professional development. Founded in November of 1920, the Association technologique de langue française d'Ottawa (ATLFO) organized frequent discussions on translation. On January 14, 1949, Théophile Dumont, Chief Translator with the Department of National Revenue, shared some customs terminology with the group. This was at a time just after the discussions to establish the GATT. Through these meetings, the ATLFO exposed its members to a whole host of fields and kept them abreast of changes in the language. The ATLFO played an invaluable role in the professional development of translators.

1936: University courses and professional development offered by the Bureau

In 1936, the University of Ottawa offered the first university courses in translation. Translators who worked for the government registered for the courses in order to prepare themselves for the promotion examination. In 1947–1948, the Bureau for Translations organized training courses for its staff, and these were taught by senior translators. The much-appreciated activity was well attended.

Recruitment intensified

1955–1956: Proactive recruitment and professional development for new translators

From the 1940s on, recruitment posed a number of challenges. The Bureau for Translations found itself forced to promote the profession to a greater extent. In 1955–1956, the Assistant Superintendent visited the classical colleges. Later on, the Bureau offered professional development courses to new translators in order to provide them with better training. But one question remained: what should be done about candidates who did not pass the recruitment examination?

January 1964: The Bureau for Translators opens a training section

It was a "remedial school" for candidates who had scored less than 50 % on the recruitment examination. This section offered a six-month practicum, during which the trainees received two grammar lessons per day and did translation exercises consisting of "easy" texts provided by General Translation.

October 1967: The Government funds a university program in translation

On October 10, 1967, the government approved the establishment of a university translation program and agreed to subsidize, over three years, training for 50 translators at the Université de Montréal. The first cohort enrolled in September of 1968. The training section also welcomed university interns, whose numbers increased significantly over the years. In 1976, a division made up of three sections — one for training, one for professional development and one for the university internship program-shaped the Bureau's training and professional development activities.

Training and Evaluation

Today: The Bureau offers a range of training and professional development services

Training and professional development activities continue to evolve and become more specialized. Today, the Training and Evaluation Service (TES) provides training to translators and revisers, and assists with language quality evaluation as well as preparation and marking of translation and revision examinations.