These two linguistic services are a massive puzzle for most people. More often than not, you would hear a person refer to translators and interpreters interchangeably. However, this is a great mistake, especially when running a business.
You must ensure you look for the right professional language services. The only way you can do that is by understanding the value and distinct roles they offer to your organization. At times you may be required to have a translator on board. Other times you may need an interpreter. So how do you know who to work with?
If you feel like you are among the larger percentage of people struggling to know the difference, we have you covered. Let us dig deep into the major differences and similarities between these areas of linguistics as well as their benefits.
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Who is a Translator?
A translator is a person that offers written language services. Their main work is to convert text from the source language into the target language. Or, in simpler terms, converting one language into another.
Further, a professional translator must possess strong writing and reading skills to be great at their work. This is in addition to being culturally aware of the target and source language, an essential skill that ensures lessening chances of mistranslation due to Native incompetence.
Who is an Interpreter?
An interpreter is a person who provides sign or verbal language services. They basically explain the meaning behind a foreign tongue to a native speaker and vice versa.
Interpreters rephrase information delivered exactly as a speaker phrases it. For effective communication, interpretations are made face-to-face and in real-time so as to catch every emotional cue. Due to the growth of technology, interpretations can also be made virtually.
Further, a professional interpreter must possess expert cultural and linguistic knowledge of the target and source listener(s). This ensures convenient and comprehensive communication. Lastly, a professional interpreter should be well-versed in the subject or topic matter.
Similarities and Differences Between Translators and Interpreters
From what we’ve seen, both interpreters and translators help fulfill the same function: effective communication. They can both navigate through language and cultural barriers. Professionally speaking, though, these two linguistic services are different career lines. They each possess unique specialties, skills, and qualifications.
Let’s find out some of the things that set them apart, as well as their similarities.
Similarities Between Translators And Interpreters
- They both work with a target and source language. The target language is the translated material or language, whereas the source language is the original language or material translated from.
- Both services deliver messages from the source language into a target language without loss of meaning or intent. That being said, most translators or interpreters have the source language as their native language.
- Both interpreters and translators require similar linguistic knowledge. Interpretation and translation are mostly rephrasing sign, oral, or text-based information. Hence, these professionals must understand the functions of different languages in order effectively communicate information.
- Both services require professional qualifications and training. Different Cultural and language relations can be complex; thus, certification is proof of experience and proficiency.
- They both have the same work environments due to the rise of globalization and networking.
- The salary bracket of both of these services is almost similar. According to trusted statics done in 2019, the annual salary of translators and interpreters was roughly $50,000.
Differences Between Translators and Interpreters
- Interpreters deal with spoken language, whereas translators only work with written language.
- Interpreters and translators go through different training. This is mainly for specialized services. For example, law interpreters and translators must be familiar with the terminologies but ultimately deliver information differently using the skills learned during training.
- These professional linguistics adopt different methods of delivering information using their skills. This is because some languages don’t have written forms, such as sign language, and hence cannot be interpreted the same. There are also languages that have different dialects that may be outside the universal writing style forcing the translator or interpreter to train in the specified dialect.
- Interpreters solely depend on their skills, whereas translators are spoilt for options that assist them in translating, such as dictionaries and computer-aided translation tools known as CAT tools.
7 Key Benefits of Professional Interpretation and Translation Services
Having trustworthy interpretation services available is essential, especially if you run a business that expects its personnel to be proficient communicators with individuals worldwide. A skilled interpreter and translator ensure the preservation of everything significant in translation. Here are seven key advantages of using qualified interpretation and translation services in your business or organization.
1. Elimination of Linguistic Barriers Between Nations
You want to be sure that everyone can hear and understand you clearly. Interpreters receive significant training in order to speak and translate smoothly between different languages. If you deal with international clients in your business, using professional interpreters can help eliminate the language barrier by ensuring they are appropriately interpreted. In addition, you will be able to understand what is being translated to you conveniently.
Successful international companies can attest that professional translation services enable effective communication and idea-sharing between parties from various nations. To make sure that both parties understand each other in every mode of communication, they can translate written materials or break down spoken language. As a result, Individual interactions, commercial relationships, and social networks are expanded and improved.
You can get resources that are well-versed in all these ideas by using a reputable interpretation service.
2. Meets Cultural Values of Target Audiences
You want to ensure that you can establish connections and bonds through cultural allusions. Interpreters can offer culturally appropriate language and clear, grammatically accurate translations. They can make sure information is acceptable and take out any translations or references that might offend someone from another culture.
Beyond having an extensive vocabulary and knowing all the grammatical rules, a person must be fluent in order to communicate effectively. Every language has subtle and significant regional variations within the geographic locations where it is spoken. There are several dialects to take into account, along with cultural references and minute details that can significantly alter the meaning or tone of what is being stated.
Addressing certain cultural considerations avoids communication hiccups and unfavorable interpretations between the parties.
3. Quality Is Guaranteed
You can be confident that you are working with a professional who has experience translating from many other languages by using translation services. It is crucial to have a translator who is proficient in both your native tongue and the language being translated.
In the same way, the quality of work for interpreter services increases with experience and commitment. It will be demonstrated by education, demonstrated experience, and a lengthy verified professional background that a certain individual is indeed qualified to perform the task you require of them. If you operate in a profession like law or medicine that necessitates having a working knowledge of difficult subject matter and specific terminology, quality becomes even more crucial.
4. Thorough Consistency
Professional interpreters excel at more than just their profession. They’ll also be consistently reliable. Professional interpreters are better equipped to handle difficult situations consistently than a friend or coworker who just so happens to speak multiple languages. Additionally, they will be prepared to support you and your business during each stage of a particular negotiation.
Professional interpreters also recognize the value of consistently applying the same vocabulary, ideas, and grammatical conventions. You can rely on their accuracy, thoroughness, and ability to communicate in a way that all of your clients and colleagues will comprehend.
5. Save Money and Time
A freelance interpreter you hire may be unable to complete the task promptly and effectively. This may occur due to a constrained timeline and a workload at capacity, which will lower the translation’s quality. By utilizing professional translation services companies, you will collaborate with a team of translators, resulting in quicker turnaround times for your translation and meeting your deadline.
This is significant, especially if you need the work to be translated into a number of various languages because there are many different language translators to choose from.
If you use freelancers, you might need to use a number of them because it’s unlikely that they will be able to translate into all the languages you want to interpret. You can save time and money by using professional translation services companies to preserve frequently used phrases that are utilized consistently across your material.
6. Establishes and Builds Your Brand From Developed Business Relationships
Interpretation services have the potential to strengthen ties between companies from around the world since they fill in communication gaps. It may result in the development of new social and professional networks with the opportunity for cooperation. For instance, international gatherings include speakers of a wide range of languages. If the information being shared is inaccurate, it can negatively represent your brand and potentially ruin relationships with the targeted client. Proper translation is good for business, and a professional interpreter or translator can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page. This will in turn, increase the number of partnerships for your company.
7. Convenient Address Of Complex and Specialized Subjects
It is essential to have an interpreter who can convey your meaning when discussing a complex subject like law or medicine. You can have a professional that is confident in their ability to speak and use technical language by hiring an interpreter from a translation agency.
In this situation, relying on a friend or coworker for interpretation would be dangerous because they might need help to be able to use technical jargon. Through the use of glossaries, resources, outside training, and cutting-edge translation software, professional translators and interpreters can work to ensure that every complex subject is appropriately addressed.
Conclusion
There are many advantages to language interpretation. Language translation and interpretation frequently need clarification. The process of vocally translating a text from its original language (the source text) into a target language is known as language interpretation (the product of interpretation). On the other hand, translation is more of paraphrasing written text from its original language into the target language.
Whether you’re working with a translator or an interpreter, both professionals should know the language(s) your company plans to use to build its messaging across various communication platforms. Although the roles and benefits of the two services are very similar, most linguists prefer interpretation or translation. There are many factors to take into account when choosing an interpreting service. Finding someone friendly and intelligent is not enough. With the above information, you can now confidently identify what to look for. Don’t limit your company’s ability to reach out to a larger audience due to choosing the wrong approach when it comes to interpretations and translations