RESULTS OF THE 2005 SURVEY OF INDEPENDENT TRANSLATORS

Purpose of the 2005 ATIO Survey**

The 2005 survey was sent to all independent translators, regardless of affiliation category (Certified, Candidate, student or retired) and language combination. However, as our members generally work in either official languages or foreign languages, the results are broken down based on these two categories.

The survey asked for personal information such as age, education and geographic location, but it was primarily concerned with information regarding professional practice, such as rates, resources, and the translator's perception of his or her professional situation.

A total of 860 surveys were sent out and 193 responses were received. Of these, 112 came back from translators working in official languages (99 Certified and 13 Candidates) and 81 from translators working in foreign languages (53 Certified and 29 Candidates). This is an overall response rate of 22.4%. For comparison purposes, the previous two surveys, conducted in 2000 and 1996, had response rates of 15.8% and 18.8% respectively. Therefore, the current results are statistically valid and should be representative of independent translator practices.

Please note that percentages will not always work out to 100% due to rounding off, respondents' failing to answer certain questions and indicating more than one category for other questions.

*NB: This is a report on current practices as reported by ATIO members in response to the survey conducted in 2005. Please note that these results are for your information only. They are not intended to dictate the rates you charge, the hours you work or the clients you take!