In an increasingly globalized society, good cross-linguistic communication is more crucial than ever. Many people use language specialists for a variety of reasons, including business, travel and personal. However, the phrases “translator” and “interpreter” are sometimes used interchangeably, creating misunderstanding regarding their respective functions. At Lingo Translations, we think that understanding the distinctions between these two professions is critical to ensuring that you select the best service for your needs.
Interpreter
Interpreters are language experts who work to facilitate communication between people who speak two languages. They are capable of reading spoken language signals and written material in real time and communicating them properly and effectively to the intended audience in their home language. Interpreters serve in a variety of venues, including conferences, meetings, judicial procedures, medical appointments, and diplomatic events.
To properly understand the context and offer an accurate assessment of the speaker’s intent, they must examine nonverbal communication such as the speaker’s tone, inflections in the speaker’s voice, facial reactions, gestures, and overall body language.
Translator
In contrast, a translator is a language specialist who specializes in written communication. Their major responsibility is to translate written text from one language to another while maintaining the original meaning and intended. Translators can work on a variety of resources, such as books, written papers, websites, marketing materials, technical manuals, and several languages.
They have the flexibility of time to conduct a thorough study and select the most relevant terms and phrases to produce a high-quality translation. Translators commonly use computer-aided translation software and dictionaries to improve their efficiency and consistency.
Differences Between Interpreters and Translators.
Translators use completely different tools than interpreters. Translators employ CAT tools (Computer Aided Translation), dictionaries, and computers, whereas interpreters may use headphones and a microphone in a booth or a notebook and pen to take notes – but most significantly, they bring their memory and specialized understanding of interpretation.
An interpreter works with spoken words, and a translator works with written words.
An interpreter may be needed to interpret both from and into their mother tongue, such as when performing interface interpreting for hospitals, police, and courts; but translators work in their mother tongue.
To some extent, translators have time on their side, which means they may utilize dictionaries and are typically not needed to translate on the spot, but interpreters strive to be adept in conveying the message in harmony with the original speech, like a live voice-over or immediately afterward.
An interpreter is paid for the hour or by the day depending on their work, and a translator is paid by the word, hour, or page.
Choosing the Best Expert for Your Needs.
Learning more about translators and interpreters will help you choose the best one for your requirements. If written papers need to be translated into another language, a translator is necessary. However, if a meeting or function must be attended and there is a requirement for real-time communication help, an interpreter will be needed.
Lingo Translations specializes in providing personalized translation and interpreting services and offers a wide range of services, including business translation service, video interpreting service, medical translation service, telephone interpreters service and more. We have a team of professionals dedicated to developing effective language solutions that remove barriers and improve understanding of varied cultures, languages, and communication.
Conclusion
To summarize, translators, interpreters, and linguists generally support cross-cultural communication in some manner, although the fact that their roles, abilities, and working circumstances vary. Understanding these qualities can help you select the best specialist for the task and foster effective communication. Lingo Translations will be the translation and interpretation company you can rely on for the highest level of satisfaction.
