"Inasmuch as foreign language skills are crucial for maintaining U.S. security and leadership globally, it is our nation's core capability to translate data economically, promptly and without misinterpretation that is key. Many with multilingual skills can produce translations, but few are skillful translators. A quality translation is an art form, a tapestry etched from the fabric of a translator's learned skills, life experiences and intricate knowledge of human interaction. "

Jeff Robinson
Director National Virtual Translation Center

• What is the NVTC?
• How is the NVTC different from other existing government agencies?
• What is meant by "a virtual translation center"?
• Doesn't the Intelligence Community already employ translators?
• Is the NVTC part of the FBI or another Intelligence Agency?
• Where are NVTC linguists located?
• I still have questions; can you help me?

Q- What is the NVTC?

A- The National Virtual Translation Center (NVTC) was established by Congress in 2003 for the purpose of providing timely and accurate translations of foreign intelligence for all elements of the intelligence community. The NVTC is an element of the Intelligence Community of the United States.


Q- How is the NVTC different from other existing government agencies?

A- First, the NVTC responds to requirements from all members of the Intelligence Community. Second, the NVTC is a virtual workplace, which means that our personnel and linguists are located throughout the United States and connect via various networks into and out of our Program Office in Washington, D.C. to perform their work. Finally, the NVTC draws its staff and linguists from many Federal agencies, the military, and the private sector.


Q- What is meant by “a virtual translation center”?

A- The NVTC is a virtual workplace, which means that our personnel and linguists are located throughout the United States and connect via various networks into and out of our Program Office in Washington, D.C. to perform their work. Linguists live and work throughout the United States and those who work on classified materials receive their assignments via secure channels through arrangements with other government facilities. Linguists who work on unclassified projects can work from many different work sites (including home), provided the linguist has sufficient connectivity and the necessary hardware and software to complete the job. Utilization of communication technology removes geographic boundaries and makes the NVTC a virtually capable translation center.

Q- Doesn’t the Intelligence Community already employ translators?

A- Yes. However, members of the Intelligence Community are faced with a large volume of material requiring translation, some of which is in uncommon languages or dialects. The NVTC was created to augment and supplement those capabilities.


Q- Is the NVTC part of the FBI or another Intelligence Agency?

A- No, the NVTC is not part of the FBI. The NVTC is an element of the Intelligence Community. The work we handle comes from many sources (Intelligence Community members include the Department of Defense, the CIA, the FBI and NSA, among others). The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is our Executive Agent and in areas such as recruitment, testing and procurement the FBI provides the administrative support necessary for us to accomplish our mission.

Q- Where are NVTC linguists located?

A- Linguists live and work throughout the United States and those who work on classified materials receive their assignments via secure channels through arrangements with other government facilities. Linguists who work on unclassified projects can work from many different work sites (including home), provided the linguist has sufficient connectivity and the necessary hardware and software to complete the job. Utilization of communication technology removes geographic boundaries and makes the NVTC a virtually capable translation center.


Q- I still have questions; can you help me?

A- Yes, click on “contact us” and select “General/Comment.”