Most people use the terms translation and interpretation like if they are the same when in reality they are completely different. They have their own terms, learning process, their own diplomas, testing and job offers.
Learning the different terms will assist your decision and will let you know if you think you have what it takes to become a good translator or interpreter.
Types of interpretation:
On the spot interpretation
Interpretations like this one are done when multi languages are involved like at the 2008 Olympic Games. The interpreters will translate from Chinese into a target language using a recording device. Each country participating in the games will receive the message in their own language at the same time...
Delayed interpretation
The interpreter will give his interpretation of a meeting or conversation every time someone catches their breath or there is a small break in the dialog. This force the interpreter to notify both parties involved to speak only few sentences at a time. If you are a medical interpreter, you need to tell both the doctor and the patient that they need to stop after each sentence or after a group of five sentences. The medical interpreter must translate word for word and speak like if he/she was the patient and the doctor
Different kinds of translation:
Localized translation
This is used when a corporation wants to penetrate a certain market in a particular country. For example, you do not sell cosmetics in France the same way you do in Korea or China
Internet translation
No human being is ever involved here. You just type a word or a sentence, and a machine gives you the meaning of what you wrote which means it is very inaccurately done.
Computer-assisted translation or CAT tools
You can use Metatexis or Trados. Those software can be free or cost you couple of hundred dollars. They are there to help you translate a document faster. The translator decide what data base, he will want to enter his vocabulary or paragraph and will start building his own lexicon. Every time the word or group of words will appear, the machine will ask the translator if he wants to use it or input another meaning.
What do interpreter and translator have in common?
They both must have a desire to know more about other ethnic groups and try to have firsthand knowledge of how those groups think and behave. To have the best translation and interpretation possible they both need to do their jobs into their native tongue.
Both require to be proficient in at least two languages. This is a must as many working in these fields know only one language perfectly and the knowledge in the other is average.
Both need to be aware of what is going on in their specialty fields in order to translate accurately because a language evolves and changes on a daily basis.
What don't interpreter and translator have in common?
An interpreter expresses himself vocally. A translator performs his work on paper.
A translator can do his job even from a remote location with a wireless laptop. An interpreter must be in the same room than his client or in a booth nearby.
There are many more things that will help you in becoming a translator or an interpreter such as a stay in the country of your learning language or obtaining the right formation and right certification. If you do choose those career paths, your reward will be greater than just a monetary compensation.
Related Articles
The Art of Professional Translation
By: Armando Riquier | 02/01/2008 | Languages
The reign of automatic translators has not come yet to replace professional translation...
Translation Services and Technology
By: Armando Riquier | 09/02/2008 | Languages
The rate at which technology is growing in virtually every sphere of human activity today is mind boggling to say the least. So it's not hard to imagine a situation where your speech or written document, gets instantly translated into different languages so that the rest of the globe is able to instantly understand what you communicate. Machine translation services using appropriate software is aimed at just such an objective.
Corporate Translation Services - Finding the Right Agency
By: Armando Riquier | 10/04/2008 | Languages
Whether you are running a small business or a large, established one, if you have an offshore presence, you would in all likelihood have to deal with the effort of bilingual communication. It becomes critical to your business success to locate and hire a reliable translation service provider if you are looking to stabilize and expand your business on foreign shores.
The Effect of Language Translation Scripts on Author Professionalism
By: Angela Abbette | 29/12/2006 | Writing
The recent influx of language translation scripts for websites, is interesting an novel. But are these scripts of benefit to all involved?
Importance and Necessity of Legal Translations
By: Armando Riquier | 25/10/2007 | Languages
In this growing era of corporate globalisation, many companies are bitten by the legal bug requiring them to submit translation of a particular legal document. But writing an expert legal translation of a document may be an uphill task for a layman.
How to Improve Legal Translations
By: Armando Riquier | 27/09/2007 | Languages
Legal translation is the language conversion of texts within the field of law. As law is a culture dependent subject, legal translation is not an easy task.
Turn Your Company Into a Talent Factory
By: Nicholas Goh C S | 07/04/2008 | Human Resources
With the war for talent in high gear, organizations are feeling the pinch in the shortage of good, qualified managerial professionals. Nicholas Goh, Managing Director of Verztec Consulting Pte Ltd, an ISO 9001:2000 certified Multilingual Communication Services Provider, ruminates in a tip sheet on how companies can attract and retain talent.
The Intelligent Soul Language
By: Teka Luttrell | 29/12/2007 | Mysticism
The Intelligent Soul Language is the natural translation program universally used on the telepathic communication system of the human species: The Soul Connection Network. This article explains how this mystical program effortlessly works to translate and display shared thoughts, feelings and dreams so that the inner content is understandable and feels natural to each individual.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What program can you recommand that is the best for removing malware?
By: ntk100 | 17-10-2007
Im infected with some kind of a malware that opens IE browser occasionly.. i tried to remove it with ad aware but it's still there =/what should i do?thanks in advance, nir.
Problems with Canon A85
By: dalmakani | 17-10-2007
I own a Canon A85 for about four years. Until now I had now problems with the camera, and was very satisfied by the results. Recently I noticed a pink hazy spot on the top of any image that I take, while some images are covered completely with this haze. I've tried to change the setting, from different ISO to different F numbers, but the haze keep appearing. What might be the cause for that? Is it worth fixing a 4 years old A85?
Google Earth not available in my country!!!???
By: Export_ht | 16-10-2007
Dear Sirs, I'm an Iranian businessman. I tried to get an offer for purchasing Google Earth or download free version but I'm surprised when I saw this sentence:Thanks for your interest, but the product that you're trying to download is not available in your country. Why? Please asswer me to export_ht@yahoo.com
Save a specific web cast broadcast from ...
By: pauoue | 15-10-2007
How do I save a specific web cast broadcast from my browser to my hard drive and then save to a CD?
Download charge
By: VIMAL | 14-10-2007
Download charge
Good player, but....
By: Luvaga | 14-10-2007
Good program but can someone help me, my real player started to shows black and white pictures, it only works with 3gp and rm. when i realized, it was on overlay.... How coul i turn off the overlay on real paler
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Languages Articles
Rocket Japanese: Why Audio Lessons are Important When Learning Japanese
By: Bill Chatterly | 19/08/2008
It's difficult to learn Japanese, and it can be harder if you don't have audio lessons to help you understand. Rocket Japanese provides the audio lessons needed to fully learn Japanese.
Corporate Translation Services
By: Corporate Translation Services | 19/08/2008
translation services,medical translation services,spanish translation company,translation agency,translation company,corporate translation,professional translation service,language translation services,legal translation services,professional translation services,translation agencies,corporate translation service,website translation services,document translation services,professional language translation,professional language translation services,corporate translation services,professional transl
Learn English UK
By: Mike N | 19/08/2008
The English language is one of the most popular languages in the world, it is a very interesting language and can be a very deep subject depending on the extent in which you study it
Rising to the Linguistic Challenge
By: Philip Yaffe | 19/08/2008
Americans and other native English speakers seldom learn other languages, because they seldom have the opportunity to use them outside the classroom. Most language courses seem to ignore this very obvious fact. To improve learning, language courses for native English speakers need to be fundamentally rethought and reoriented to deal with the very real impediment. This article offers one possible approach.
How to Use the Internet to Learn Spanish
By: Freddy Poveda | 18/08/2008
The best way to learn Spanish is to surround yourself with native Speakers. Unfortunately, a trip to Central America or Spain is going to cost you a large amount of money, plus the fact that you won’t be earning any while you are there is enough to give one a headache. But if you have a broadband connected computer, you can reach native speakers electronically in just a matter of minutes!
Learning Foreign Language Makes Your Curriculum Vitae Unique & Prestigious
By: C. Sanjib | 17/08/2008
Learning of foreign language has become very popular nowadays because, the job or working opportunities are much more than other discipline and the demand for trained Foreign Language Professional is less than supply.
A Guide to Learning Chinese Online
By: Andri Irawan | 15/08/2008
If learning the Chinese language is on your list of things to do, then consider using the first tool at your fingertips…your computer. Today, the internet is chocked full of a multitude of a variety of instructions for learning Chinese.
English Course London
By: Mike N | 13/08/2008
This article will go into detail and explain some of the various opportunities available in the UK to learn English language. It will provide you with the basic information when it comes to learning English language in the UK.
Education 
