Part-time, in-class Legal Interpretation and Translation Certificate (Mandarin Chinese/English)

Give people access to justice through interpretation and translation

Meet grad Yuan (Jeff) Ji. Read the story

Language barriers can be a serious challenge in legal proceedings. Certified interpreters and translators who specialize in legal work play a vital role in Canada’s justice system, but many provinces, including British Columbia, are facing a shortage of skilled legal interpretation and translation professionals. In B.C., there is a particular need for those who can work in Mandarin Chinese/English.

Working in court, lawyers’ offices, government agencies, refugee hearings, and other legal contexts, Mandarin Chinese/English legal interpreters and translators require far more than language fluency to be effective. In addition to mastery of English and Mandarin Chinese, they need an in-depth understanding of Canada's culture and legal system.

Master key legal interpretation and translation skills at SFU

Our Legal Interpretation and Translation Certificate provides a comprehensive overview of the multi-faceted field of legal interpretation and translation. Academic and professional guidance combined with hands-on practice will prepare you to excel as a Mandarin Chinese/English interpreter and translator in a variety of legal contexts, including court. In-depth training will help ensure you can capture a speaker or writer’s full range of meaning; avoid inaccuracies; convey subtle nuances; understand legal procedures; use proper style, register, and tone; and more.

Prepare to get certified as a court interpreter through the STIBC

We’ve developed this professional program in collaboration with the Society for Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC). Our curriculum aligns with the required professional competencies for legal interpreters and translators that the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) has defined.

You'll graduate ready to work as a translator or interpreter in court and other legal contexts. You’ll also be well-positioned to take the CTTIC certification exam (administered by the STIBC). The STIBC has determined that the pass rate is far higher for those who take a professional training program.

SFU partnership with Access Pro Bono helping local Chinese speakers Read the story

Get hands-on legal interpreting and translation experience

At SFU Continuing Studies, we believe in learning by doing. During this part-time legal interpretation and translation program, you’ll participate in interpreting field training in various legal settings throughout Vancouver. These practice sessions will sharpen your legal and court interpretation and translation skills and help you build a professional network.

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