What Does an Interpreter Do?
Many people get confused as to the difference between an interpreter and a translator. There is a common tendency to think translators interpreter, or that interpreters translate. In fact, the two are very separate jobs requiring different skills. To explain who and/or what an interpreter as opposed to a translator we set out the main differences between interpreting and translation.
Interpreting vs. Translation
On a basic level it would appear that there is little difference between an interpreter and a translator. One translates spoken words and the other written words. However, the differences in how the job is carried out, the pressures, requirements, skills and talents are many.
A translator must be able to write well and be able to express words, phrases, innuendos and other linguistic nuances between languages on paper. A translator has the luxury of time, resources (dictionaries, etc), reference material and the freedom to take a break when needed. Their pressures are relatively limited.
Translators only work into their native languages to assure accuracy in both linguistic and cultural senses. Translators therefore, it could be argued, are not completely bilingual. They may be able to deal effectively with written sources but when it comes to orally translating, it is a different skill.
A translator therefore has a one dimensional aspect to their work. They deal with written words and language that come from paper and return to paper.
An interpreter, on the other hand, has to be able to translate spoken words in two directions. They do this using no resources or reference material bar their knowledge and expertise. An interpreter is required to find linguistic solutions to problems on the spot. The pressure therefore can be quite intense.
In addition to interpreting, the interpreter must also act as a bridge between people, relaying tone, intentions and emotions. Where an interpreter is caught between cross fire they need to demonstrate great professionalism and diplomacy. Their roles are therefore much more complex as they have to deal with both language and people.
What does an Interpreter do?
There are two ways of interpreting known as consecutive and simultaneous.
Simultaneous interpreting involves interpreting in 'real time'. Many would have seen an interpreter sitting in a booth wearing a pair of headphones and speaking into a microphone at a conference or large diplomatic meeting such as the EU or UN. A simultaneous interpreter has the unenviable task of quickly digesting what one person is saying before immediately translating it to others. One of the key skills simultaneous interpreters must demonstrate is decisiveness. They must think quickly and on their feet.
Consecutive interpreting is carried out in face to face meetings, speeches or court cases. A speaker will usually stop at regular junctures, say every few sentences, and have the interpreter translate, before proceeding. A key skill involved in consecutive interpreting is the ability to remember what has been said.
What do you need?
In short, if you need someone to translate something that is written you need the services of a translator. If you need someone to translate the spoken word, you need an interpreter.
Neil Payne is Director of Kwintessential, a London based consultanct providing a range of cross cultural service including interpreters: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/translation/interpretation.html
Latest News
AFP | BBC to launch Farsi language television AFP - LONDON (AFP) — The BBC is to launch a Farsi-language television service in Iran and Afghanistan from next week, it announced Thursday, less than a year ... BBC to launch Persian-language TV channel 'You decide how safe if it is,' BBC tells viewers of new Persian ... BBC Persia irks Iran |
Houston Chronicle | 40% of English-language learners struggle Honolulu Advertiser, HI - By Loren Moreno Forty percent of Hawai'i public school students classified as English-language learners are failing to make progress toward English ... English as a learned language Texas programs for limited-English kids get mixed grades Local educators react to Quality Count 2009 report |
Javno.hr | Foreign-language BAFA nominations revealed Hollywood Reporter, United States - By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- The winner of this year's foreign-language Orange British Academy Film Award will come from either "The Baader Meinhof Complex," ... Animations up for UK foreign-language film prize , Bashir Up for BAFTAs BAFTA unveils foreign film shortlist |
TPMCafé | The language of Hamas BBC News, UK - By Paul Reynolds A media war over Gaza is running in parallel to the shooting and diplomatic wars. In a previous article I looked at how the Israelis have ... Video: Israel responds to rockets fired from Lebanon - 08 Jan 09 Better medical response, efficient logistics among changes in ... Agreement made on Gaza cease-fire resolution, diplomats say |
![]() Videogamer.com | Microsoft trains next-gen coders with XNA's Kodu Ars Technica, MA - It's essentially a tertiary programming language laid atop XNA and the Xbox 360's assembly. The language of Kodu takes a principally semantic form, ... Microsoft's Kodu Brings Video Game Development to Beginners Could Kodu be Xbox 360's Little Big Planet? Xbox 360 Game Creator Kodu Coming This Spring |
Proposed House Rules Include Gender Neutral Language Provisions Ms. Magazine, CA - Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced legislation this week in the House that would, among other provisions, make the chamber’s official language gender neutral. ... |
![]() Screen Weekly | Foreign-language Oscar a magnet for controversy Screen Weekly, India - Pity the foreign-language committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. No group works as hard watching so many difficult films. ... |
In Any Language, A Boon For City Harrisonburg Daily News Record, VA - THE ANNOUNCEMENT EARLIER this week that language learning company Rosetta Stone wants to buy the former home of the Harrisonburg Police Department on South ... Rosetta Stone Proposal |
![]() The Phoenix | On American campuses, Esperanto is an extracurricular language The Phoenix, MA - By EVA WOLCHOVER | January 8, 2009 When Professor Ludovic Lazarus Zamenhof created the language called Esperanto in late-19th-century Poland, he envisioned ... |
![]() New Zealand Herald | Nurses want minister to axe language test New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - ... Tan Frustrated overseas-trained nurses want the Minister of Health to review the new nursing registration rules, which include an English language test. ... |
Resources
-
Learn a new foreign Language easily - Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian
Language Passion - Easily learn a new foreign Language online today. Learn Spanish, Japanese, German, Chinese, French, Russian or any other foreign Language you choose. Learn any Language today and speak with a foreign tongue in a matter of months.
-
CMATHER.COM Premium Classified Network
CMATHER.COM Classified Advertising - Premium Advertising
-
One Hour HTML - Learn the Language of the Web...fast!
Learn HTML fast with One Hour HTML
-
Sign Language for Babies and Beyond
Learn How to Communicate With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Speak Using American Sign Language! Includes Video of 250 Signs!
-
How to Hypnotically Influence Other People
a course by Wang Jian to teach you how to write hypnotic Language to make others obey your command.
-
Travellingwords.com - Your mp3 Language crash course for your vacation
Travellingwords.com - Your mp3 Language crash course for your vacation. Going abroad tomorrow? Download your Language course today. international, travel, travel, Language, holiday, travlang, foreign destination, communication, vacation, course, mp3, shor
-
Dating Advice for Men - How to Approach Women, Attract Women, and Meet Girls
How to Approach Women, Talk to Women and Attract Women. Dating Advice for Men and How to Meet Girls. Learn How to Read Body Language, Dating Tips, How to Get a Girlfriend.
-
Business English Language Multimedia Grammar Practice
ESL quizzes and EFL exercises covering grammar, vocabulary, multi-word verbs
-
ThaiVoc - Learn Thai Now!
Learn the Thai Language with IPA and AUA phonetic Windows software.
-
English Romanian Dictionary Online - Dictionar Englez Roman
Learn Romanian Language: Romanian English Dictionary online and download, conversation guide. Information about Romania: travel, culture, and more.



