Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta

The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta began as an offshoot of the Government of Alberta’s translator training program, with 15 of the program’s participants becoming the founding members. It was registered under the Societies Act with Alberta Consumer and Corporate Affairs as the Alberta Association of Translators (AAT, now ATIA) on September 10, 1979 and was the first of its kind in Canada. The association had 15 members and represented only English, French, German, and Spanish. In 1980, the association was granted membership in the Canadian Translators and Interpreters Council (CTIC, now CTTIC), and became the fourth member of the Council. Membership with CTIC elevated the Alberta Association of Translators through the implementation of the nationally standardized translation examination.

In 1984, after having accepted professional interpreters, the ATA changed its name to Alberta Association of Translators and Interpreters. In 1989, the association underwent its final name change to the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta / Association de traducteurs et interpretes de l’Alberta (ATIA).

On the ATIA’s 40th anniversary in 2019, there were 245 active members in the association representing 29 language combinations.

ATIA offers membership in five categories: translator, court interpreter, community interpreter, medical interpreter, and conference interpreter.

To become a Certified Translator with the ATIA, the first step is to become an Associate Translator. This is done by passing the Code of Ethics Examination and the Language Proficiency Examination, and upon obtaining a passing mark, then also passing the Associate-level Translation Examination. After becoming an Associate Translator, candidates have six years to accumulate the required work experience, or translated word count, to either take the CTTIC Translation Certification Examination or have their translation portfolio evaluated to become a Certified Translator. Formal educational equivalencies from recognized institutions are also considered in the translated word count.

Community Interpreters, Court Interpreters, and Medical Interpreters must also become Associate Members before becoming certified with the ATIA, beginning with passing the ATIA Code of Ethics Examination. Interpreters must then meet the Associate-level interpretation experience requirements, measured in a combination of hours and relevant credentials to become an Associate Community, Court, or Medical Interpreter. After once again fulfilling additional interpretation experience hours, interpreters must pass the Certified Community, Court, or Medical Interpreter Examination.

There is no associate-level membership in the ATIA for Conference Interpreters. To become a Certified Conference Interpreter, professionals must meet the eligibility requirements as well as demonstrating the required amount of work experience as a conference interpreter.

Professional Translators and Interpreters in every category can also apply to become Certified Members of the ATIA through the recognition of their out-of-province credentials from ATIA’s sister-associations.[3]

As a member of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters Council (CTTIC), ATIA is affiliated with sister-associations across Canada, including the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC), Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan (ATIS), Association of Translators, terminologists and Interpreters of Manitoba (ATIM), Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick (CTINB), and Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia (ATINS). Through CTTIC, the ATIA is also affiliated with the International Federation of Translators.

• CTTIC