Translator or interpreter? What are the differences?
Many people don’t know the difference between translators and interpreters. Although these two professions belong to the professional translation sector and both require similar skills, they are two very different activities.
In practice, the requirements and aims of each speciality are very different.
The main difference between an interpreter and a translator? A translator produces written texts, whereas an interpreter works on oral (or sign) translation.
I am going to give you a complete overview so that you can fully understand the difference between a translator and an interpreter.
What is a translator?
Translators generally work from written documents, but they can also work from audio or video material.
However, the result of their work is always in the written form. A translator will produce documents such as articles, web pages, manuals, and so on.
Professional translators use translation tools and specific glossaries for each field of activity. There are generalist translators and specialist translators. There is a panel of translators for each speciality: legal, medical, specific technical field, business, etc.
Nowadays, translators work either as employees or as freelancers.
A translator needs to have some essential qualities: patience, writing and linguistic skills, knowledge of the social and cultural context of both the target and source language...
As a general rule, translators will always translate into their mother tongue. This is the language they know best, as well as its cultural context.
What is an interpreter?
An interpreter always works in real time. There are three types of interpreting: simultaneous, consecutive and liaison interpreting.
Simultaneous interpreting: the interpreter translates while the other person is speaking.
Consecutive interpreting: the interpreter translates in blocks of sentences. In this case, the speaker pauses in his or her speech so that the interpreter can convey the message orally.
Liaison interpreting: a liaison interpreter translates face-to-face or oral exchanges between two or more members of a small group. This may involve business exchanges, negotiations or press relations.
The interpreting mode is defined according to the context: simultaneous interpreting is dedicated to events such as conferences, seminars or training courses, while consecutive interpreting is more appropriate in the medical field, during commercial negotiations or during the visit of a factory, for example.
Interpreters can be employees of a company, institution or agency, or work as freelancers.
Interpreters are communication specialists. They must be able to convey information and ideas in a short space of time from one language to another. Therefore, the ability to analyse and synthesise information is essential. While a translator has time to think, an interpreter has almost none. They have to be able to react quickly. What’s more, interpreters have no time to look up words in a dictionary and therefore they must prepare their subject thoroughly beforehand.
As with translators, there are interpreters who specialise in court interpreting, sign language interpreting, medical interpreting or business interpreting, to name a few.
Finally, you should be aware that one interpreter is not capable of working alone for several hours. When a long speech has to be interpreted, it is necessary to have several interpreters. On average, an experienced interpreter can work for about thirty minutes.
So if by now the distinction is not yet perfectly clear, remember that a translator writes and an interpreter speaks!
What do interpreters and translators have in common?
Both jobs require a high level of foreign language skills and good cultural and technical knowledge.
Whether we focus on interpreters or translators, both must be able to grasp the codes and cultural aspects of the country of the language to be translated and the country of the language translated.
Professional translators and interpreters must be passionate about foreign languages and intercultural communication. They must also be adaptable, flexible and respect the confidentiality of their clients.
Both types of professional always translate from a foreign language into their mother tongue.
Toulouse interpreter: my French-Spanish-English interpreting services for all types of events
Are you looking for an interpreter in Toulouse?
May I introduce myself? I am Patricia, a professional interpreter for more than 15 years who lives in Toulouse.
I am fluent in Spanish, Catalan, French and English. I offer my services as a French-Spanish interpreter and English-Spanish interpreter in Toulouse and throughout France.
I’m used to working in interpreting booths, so I can provide simultaneous translation services in Toulouse, or rather, simultaneous interpreting services in Toulouse, because that’s what it’s all about!
In the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work on a number of projects, including:
- Interpreting meeting Toulouse;
- Conference interpreting Toulouse;
- Interpreting seminar Toulouse;
- Interpreting training Toulouse.
This job has fascinated me from the very first moment: adrenalin, accurateness, and curiosity are all characteristics that make me want to work every day as an interpreter in Toulouse.
I can provide both face-to-face and online interpreting (remote simultaneous interpreting).
I have had the honour and pleasure to work with some prestigious companies, such as Renault at an international conference for the automotive group, Berger Levrault or AP-HP (public assistance, Paris hospitals).
I also loved working with the world-famous animal protection organisation WWF.
On the institutional side, I worked with the Colombian National Police and the European Coordination La Vía Campesina, interpreting at meetings on sensitive issues such as migrants, the environment and agriculture.
As you can see, French-Spanish interpreting is not only my job, it’s also my passion.
I would be delighted to discuss your Spanish-French interpreting needs or English-Spanish interpreting needs with you! Please do not hesitate to contact me so that we can discuss your needs and problems together.