Translators and Interpreters: Know the Difference

Translators and Interpreters

People generally consider translators and interpreters the same. Even though both are ways of converting languages, they cannot be used interchangeably. The biggest difference between the two is that translation is written while interpretation is verbal.

To make your understanding stronger, interpreters work in a foreign language as well as sign language, whereas a translator works only in a foreign language. An interpreter does their job on real-time basis where they listen to the speaker and grab hold of what is being said, simultaneously comprehending the ideas being spoken about and converting it into the target language immediately. This is quite different from the job of a translator who has the luxury to work at their own pace and use the help of dictionaries or reference material should they be stuck somewhere. An interpreter has to use the word bank they possess in their head. That is basically the difference between translators and interpreters.

There are two main types of interpreters – simultaneous interpreters and a consecutive interpreters. A simultaneous interpreter translates concurrently as the speaker gives his speech. Such interpreters normally work in pairs due to the need of perfect concentration and hold international positions in organizations. On the other hand, a consecutive interpreter allows the speaker to speak a few sentences and then communicates his ideas to the person listening. He may also sometimes take notes using short-hand and works for one-on-one communication needs.

There is a great demand of translators everywhere today, as they make communication barrier easy to cross. Translators and interpreters will always have enough work on their hands.

Translators are people who convert language in the written form. They must possess excellent grammar and vocabulary along with strong analytical skills, since the work is normally done in two languages. Unlike interpreters, translators have the luxury of having access to dictionaries as well as reference material. This is the sole reason why their work is expected to be flawless.

If a company requires a contract to be looked over in a different language, it is best for them to call for a translation agency. In addition, if they need a person to translate for them in real-time when the speaker is giving his speech, they need to call for an interpreter. It should be said here that the translator is the super-set while the interpreter is its subset.

So the next time you want a document or a piece of literature to be converted into a different language, you know the difference between translators and interpreters so you know who you are going to call.