Are you passionate about languages and cultures? Becoming an Italian translator in Canada can open up a world of job opportunities for you in these two dynamic languages at home and internationally. However, to excel in this field and establish yourself as a reputable professional in Canada, you need to know more about the appropriate certifications to validate your language skills and your experience in the field of translation.
Let us explore the certifications required for English-to-Italian and Italian-to-English translation, providing you with the latest information to take off your journey as an Italian translator in Canada.
But first... let's discover seven fun facts about the history of the Italian language and its influence on art and culture throughout history!
Mindblowing facts about the Italian language!
- Italian has its roots in Latin, a language of the Italic branch spoken in Ancient Rome, and which today is considered a dead language. Latin influenced the development of Italian and served as the basis for its vocabulary and grammar.
- How important is the work of Dante Alighieri for Italian culture? The Divine Comedy, one of the most important works in Italian literature and one of the most remarkable pieces of world literature became a bridge between the Europe of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance at the beginning of the 14th century and played a fundamental role in shaping the Italian language.
- Italy is known for its rich linguistic diversity, with various regional dialects spoken throughout the country. The Sicilian, Venetian, and Neapolitan have unique characteristics and reflect the country's diverse cultural heritage. Neapolitan is the most widely spoken Italian language, with about five million speakers.
- Italian is considered the language of opera for its expressive qualities, making it ideal for this emotional and dramatic art. Many famous operas, such as those composed by Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini, are written and performed in Italian.
- Italian has profoundly impacted the development and vocabulary of other European languages. Many English words, such as "cappuccino," "pizza," and "pasta," have been borrowed from Italian.
- Italian is spoken by 85 million people worldwide, of which 64 million are native speakers in Europe. Italian is also the official language of 4 countries and is spoken secondarily in over 13 countries.
- In 2011, the Italian language was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing the language's historical, artistic, and cultural importance.
Fascinating, right? Now let's learn everything you need to be an Italian translator in Canada.

How do I get certified to become an Italian translator?
Are you familiar with the requirements to be an Italian translator in Canada? Discover all the steps to becoming a certified translator! Here are a few things that you must consider:
- Get a university degree! You must focus on obtaining a recognized diploma in translation, interpretation, or terminology in two languages (English to Italian translation or Italian to English translation) or a university degree in languages, linguistics, and philology.
- Get professional experience. To get certified as a translator, you will need at least two years of work experience (known as the mentorship period). You can gain recognized translation experience by volunteering, internship at a nonprofit organization that provides translation services, or offering freelance translator services.
- Seek to be CTTIC certified. Provincial or territorial regulatory bodies must grant all certified translators their titles to become certificated professionals. You can find your local association through the Canadian Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters Council (CTTIC), which represents all provincial Certifying bodies in Canada or the one corresponding to the Quebec Certifying Body (OTTIAQ).
- The CTTIC evaluation. To get certified through the CTTIC, you can also submit a dossier with 10 to 12 samples of 250 words each about your work demonstrating your skills in various subject areas.
- Get prepared for the National certification exam. Completing a national certification exam, held twice a year, will give you the title "Certified Translator." The exam is designed to demonstrate the candidate's professional skills.
- Focus on acquiring Italian Language proficiency. The Italian Language Proficiency Test measures the proficiency level of non-native learners of Italian. You can demonstrate your knowledge by passing an Italian proficiency test, namely CILS, CELI, CIC, PLIDA, or IT; you will demonstrate your Italian proficiency worldwide.
What are the requirements to be a translator in Canada?
If you want to work as a translator in Canada, some employment requirements that you will typically need for the job are:
- A university degree in translation, interpretation, or terminology in two languages, including one of the two official languages, or a degree in a related discipline such as languages, linguistics, or philology.
- Two years experience as a full-time translator working in two languages or five years of experience as a full-time translator working in two languages.
- As a translator, you should be certified on a dossier or by examination from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters Council (CTTIC), the regulatory authority for translators and interpreters in Canada.
- Fluency in three languages will be required for translators or interpreters working internationally.
To get professional certification and licensing, determine if this occupation is regulated in your province or territory:
- Corporation of Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters of New Brunswick;
- Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario;
- Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec.

What qualifications do I need to be a translator?
To become an Italian translator in Canada, here are some essential requirements and considerations, for example:
- Language proficiency: Fluent command of Italian and English is essential. Translators must have a thorough knowledge of the grammar, vocabulary, and style of both languages, and these language skills can be obtained with a university diploma.
- Education and training: Having an academic background in translation or a related field is very beneficial. Earning a university degree or diploma in translation can give you a good foundation and demonstrate your commitment to the profession.
- Certifications: Obtaining a recognized certification as an Italian translator can significantly benefit your career. Earning this certification can be a way to validate your skills and establish your reputation as a professional.
- Experience and specialization: It is advisable to gain practical experience in translation. Consider working as a freelance translator, doing an internship, or collaborating with translation agencies to gain experience and develop your Italian skills.
- Specialized knowledge: You may consider specializing in a specific area of translation related to Italian. For example, you can focus on legal, technical, and medical translation, among other fields.
- Networking: It is beneficial to connect with other professionals in the industry and join translation associations in Canada, such as the STIBC or the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), as you will find resources for your professional development and valuable connections.
Remember that the requirements may vary depending on the province in Canada where you are located if you are interested in becoming a translator, contact translation associations for more detailed and up-to-date information. Are you ready to discover which are the salary expectations for translators in Canada?
Where to learn Italian to become an expert?
Do you want to prepare yourself better to enter Canada's best language program? Are you looking to get the best score for the National certification exam? Do you want to practice your Italian in your spare time? You can achieve all these and more with the private Italian classes of Superprof. Getting your Italian translation career started in Canada was never this straightforward!
Superprof is the best tutoring service in Canada. It is an online platform where you can easily find the best Italian tutoring services to learn the language in your way and at your own pace!
At Superprof, in addition to becoming an expert in Italian, you can also take private lessons to excel in math, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, dance, or whatever comes to your mind with the best tutors near you!
If you want online Italian classes or face-to-face tutoring, find the ideal Italian teacher on the Superprof platform! It also works easier than you think:
- Enter the official Superprof page and write that you want to learn Italian, Korean, Russian, German, or anything that passes through your mind!
- Remember to enter your address or the city where you live in Canada to obtain the most personalized results and the best tutors near you. Or choose Italian online classes.
- Get ready to find your perfect match from thousands of private teachers across Canada who are experts in the Italian language.
- Pick the best Italian tutor that suits your study objectives and rates per class.
- Do not forget to "Book a class!"
- Start translating Italian in Canada!
Sei pronto per iniziare la migliore esperienza di tutoraggio italiano in Canada? Benvenuto nella famiglia Superprof!










