What is a sign language interpreter?

Interpreting happens when two people or two groups of people do not share a common language but need to or want to communicate with each other. In Canada, most interpreters provide interpretation in spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL). In some regions in Canada, interpreters provide interpretation in French and langue des signes quebecoise (LSQ). Interpreters are knowledgeable in the sign language and culture of Deaf and hard of hearing persons, and the spoken language and the norms of the (hearing) majority culture.

How do I become an interpreter?

To apply to an Interpreter Education Program (IEP), please contact the program in which you are interested. Each program can provide you with the pre-requisites for admission. Once formal interpreting education is completed, interpreters need to remain abreast of research and trends in the field. Interpreters should participate in professional development events, workshops and conferences annually. Higher education is encouraged and an advantage.

Those interested in becoming interpreters should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be flexible, non-judgmental, diplomatic, objective and have superior self-discipline. One should also have a drive to be creative, pursue life-long learning, enjoy working in a variety of settings and available to attend frequent professional development.

Membership with AVLIC and a local Affiliate Chapter is expected of all working interpreters.

How do I become a member of AVLIC?

The AVLIC membership year is from April 1st to March 31st annually.  New memberships can be processed at any time of the year, but there are no pro-rated fees (full year's fees owing regardless of join date) and membership must be renewed by the next March 31st. (For example: if an application is processed on September 1, 2012, the full year's fees are owing and membership would need to be renewed by March 31, 2013 for the next membership year.)

ASL-English & LSQ-French Interpreters

AVLIC is the national association representing professional sign language interpreters. The AVLIC Board of Directors, as directed by the AVLIC membership, has worked to narrow our membership criteria. Currently our membership criterion for ASL-English, LSQ-French and Deaf Interpreters is as follows: That the entire criteria for Active membership will be at least one of the following

• Graduation from an AVLIC recognized Interpreter Education Program
• Meets the criteria for a Deaf interpreter (as below)

ASL-English or LSQ-French Interpreters

Proof of graduation from an AVLIC recognized Interpreter Education Program is required to complete all new applications.  Please submit a copy of their certificate of graduation or official transcript documenting graduation via one of the AVLIC contact methods found at the bottom of this page (email, fax or mail).

Renewing members whose membership has lapsed ARE required to meet this criterion and must submit a copy of their certificate of graduation or official transcript documenting graduation via one of the AVLIC contact methods found at the bottom of this page (email, fax or mail).

Deaf Interpreters

Due to the absence of Deaf interpreter education programs, Active Deaf interpreters, on the initial application year only, must submit the following documentation to the Administrative Manager (which will also be reviewed by the AVLIC Board):

• A letter of support from a Provincial Deaf Organization or Association
• A letter of support from an AVLIC certified interpreter or Affiliate Chapter Board of Directors
• A mixture of 40 documented hours of work as a Deaf interpreter and professional development

Applications, which outline credentials listed in the above criteria, will be reviewed by the AVLIC Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, in considering applications, will adhere to the standards intended in the membership criteria and categories.

Students

Students enrolled in an Interpreter Education Program (IEP) are able to apply for a Student membership.   Upon graduation, they can upgrade their membership to Active members.

What if I do not currently meet the criteria for AVLIC membership?

At this time, AVLIC is unable to accept applications that do not meet our membership criteria.  A review of the process by which applications not meeting the criteria is underway.  Once a clearly defined application assessment is in place, and approved by membership, we will outline the required documents needed for prospective applicants.  

I am not an interpreter; can I still be a member of AVLIC?

While AVLIC membership is reserved for working interpreters, we do offer a Subscription service so that you can support the Association and receive announcements and current information about the profession. Please click here to register.

The AVLIC subscription year is from April 1st to March 31st annually.  New subscriptions can be processed at any time of the year, but there are no pro-rated fees (full year's fees owing regardless of join date) and subscriptions must be renewed by the next March 31st. (For example: if an application is processed on September 1, 2012, the full year's fees are owing and the subscription would need to be renewed by March 31, 2013 for the next subscription year.)

What are the opportunities for employment and salary for an interpreter?

Interpreters may be employed as staff members or work on a freelance basis for educational institutions, service agencies or interpreter referral agencies. Freelance interpreters may take part-time contracts from educational institutions, accept appointments referred by agencies or accept appointments directly from non-deaf or Deaf consumers.

Salaries for interpreters vary depending on the employment situation and the interpreter’s level of competency. Most freelance interpreters are paid an hourly rate, often by an interpreter service or agency. Earnings vary from region to region in Canada, depending on the local economy, interpreter’s qualifications and the supply and demand for service.

Considerations for earning include:

• Certification with AVLIC (Certificate of Interpretation, COI)
• Accreditation (provincial and/or employer screenings)
• Years of experience/expertise

How do I become certified with AVLIC?

An interpreter must be a member of AVLIC in order to enter into the Canadian Evaluation System (CES) to become certified. The CES has four phases:

• Phase One: Written Test of Knowledge
• Phase Two: Preparation
• Phase Three: Test of Interpretation
• Phase Four: Certification Maintenance

Please click here for more information about the Canadian Evaluation System.

I am a member of AVLIC and I have forgotten my password. Who do I contact?

If you have forgotten your password for the website, please contact the administrative manager at avlic@avlic.ca.

How do I hire an interpreter?

AVLIC does not act as an interpreter booking agency; however, if you need to hire an interpreter, here are some suggestions:

• AVLIC publishes a directory of current Active members. Please click here to view this directory.  When using the directory, there are search options that will let you narrow down the list to members (search by province or search by city). You can use the email addresses provided by members to contact them directly and privately negotiate the terms of the assignment.
• If you have an ongoing, contract assignment or permanent position you would like to advertise to the national membership via our job postings page (within the members only section) as well as by direct email to member, please send a .doc version of the job posting to avlic@avlic.ca. There is a $20 administrative fee for this service.
• If you have a one-time assignment, please consider contacting the provincial Affiliate Chapter with details for local distribution.  Click here for contact details for our Affiliate Chapters.
• Contact a private or publicly funded interpreting agency.

Hiring a member of AVLIC is vital to ensure the interpreter you hire has graduated from an Interpreter Education Program or has satisfactorily met this standard through other experience as deemed by the AVLIC Board of Directors and the Affiliate Chapters. AVLIC members are expected to maintain high standards of professional conduct in their career as an interpreter. Only members of AVLIC are accountable to the Code of Ethics and follow the Guidelines for Professional Conduct since they agree to abide as a condition of membership. AVLIC also offers a Dispute Resolution Process that assists members and consumers when professional relationships are strained. Ultimately, through AVLIC membership the interpreter demonstrates that they are committed to the profession and striving for certification.

In addition to asking for AVLIC membership, the following questions can assist you in finding the appropriate interpreter for your situation:

• Certification with AVLIC (Certificate of Interpretation, COI)
• Accreditation (provincial and/or employer screenings)
• Years of experience
• Areas of experience/expertise
• Comfort and familiarity with the nature and format of the appointment
• Willingness to travel
• Availability of a resume

When contacting interpreters it is important to provide the date, time, duration and location of the appointment. However, it is important to keep the names of participants confidential until the interpreter has confirmed that they are available to work at which point particulars can be discussed before confirming services.

I have information to share with the members of AVLIC, what is the easiest way to do this?

AVLIC has several ways to disseminate information of interest to our members. We have an email distribution list, a current announcements page for members only and The AVLIC News is distributed three times a year where there is opportunity to advertise. For any of these avenues, please contact the administrative manager at avlic@avlic.ca

My question isn't listed here and I don't know where to find the answer, who do I contact?

Please contact us at avlic@avlic.ca and your email will be responded to within three business days.