Difference Between Translator and Interpreter

Main Difference – Translator vs Interpreter

Translation is the conversion of a material from one language to another language without distorting its original meaning and value. There are two basic forms of translation: translation of written material and translation of spoken words. Translator and interpreter are two jobs that engage in these two forms of translation. Translators convert written material from one language to another while interpreters convert spoken material from one language to another. This is the main difference between translator and interpreter.

Who is a Translator

The profession of translating involves converting written material from one language to another language. In the field of translation, the language of the original document is known as the source language and the language to which it should be translated is known as the target language. Therefore, a translator translates a text from the source language to the target language. It is believed that a translation is more successful if the target language is the translator’s native language.

Translators work in a variety of fields and translate various types of documents including commercial, legal, scientific, technical, and literary documents. Key skills of a translator include the ability to understand the source language, the ability to write well and clearly in the target language. A translator can use dictionaries, thesauruses, and other referencing material to produce a successful translation.

Who is an Interpreter

Interpretation is the translation of spoken words. An interpreter is a person who converts spoken material of one language into another language. An interpreter must be equally skillful in both source and target language since he or she has to translate into both directions spontaneously. Interpreters are mainly used in conferences and meetings.

There are two types of interpreting: Consecutive Interpretation and Simultaneous Interpretation. In consecutive interpretation, the speaker often pauses between sentences or ideas and allows time for the interpreter to translate his message little by little. In simultaneous interpretation, the translator, and the original speaker speak at the same time. Time is an essential factor in both these types. To deliver the original message faithfully and accurately, an interpreter must have a good knowledge of both the languages. He should also have a good memory and an ability to think on his feet. One of the major difference between translating and interpreting is that interpreter cannot use any dictionaries or reference material to understand the source language better.