What Are The Major Difference Between Interpreters And Translators?

Sometimes some professions are closely related, performs similar kinds of tasks, yet the major difference they share gets ignored. Interpreter and Translators are closely related linguistic disciplines and both deals with language translation skills. Before considering the differences, the similarities can be discussed. Both these professions being closely related need profound professional qualifications and experience as well as a very professional and accurate knowledge of more than one language. The main purpose is to translate the thoughts from one language to another language without altering or changing the meaning of the former. It should convey same meaning in both the languages.

A translator works on written text. Translator translates the written thoughts from one language to another language, without altering the meaning of the original text and without adding or subtracting anything to the original thoughts.

The interpreter translates verbal thoughts at the same time they are delivered. An interpreter forms a link between two parties who are not able to understand each other’s language. The interpreter must be able to translate on the spot in both directions, without the use of resources. Interpretation needs to act instantly and be able to interrupt simultaneously within few seconds the thoughts were delivered.

The differences include the following points:
- The major difference being the mode of translation, where translator translates written text; an interpreter translates verbal thoughts or speech to another language.
- Interpreting is more of an active job where a person needs to be good in listening and memorizing words and translating the same at the same time. Thus, it is more difficult than translating text, where the translator can get handful time to complete the task.
- A translator charges per word or per page charges while an interpreter is paid on hourly or daily basis.
- Like translation, interpretation is not the word to word translation but just the translation of thoughts from one language to another instantly and accurately.
- An interpreter needs to be fluent in both the languages as it needs to translate from native to another language and vice versa, while translation needs to be one from native to another language.
- The tools used also vary for both the professions as a translator can use dictionaries or computers while an interpreter needs to write down important notes to instantly translate verbal thoughts.

In additions to all the above differences, interpreter needs to be good in public speaking for dealing with different sets of people.

Being quite similar in profession, yet both have considerable differences that cannot be ignored making them two different professions.