If you are unfamiliar with the specifics of a job in language translation or interpretation, you might interchange one from the other. Though both deal with converting words accurately from one language to another, there are marked differences between them. Moreover, both jobs require specific skill sets to perform these professionally. This article will discuss the difference between language translation and language interpretation and what skill sets each needs.
What is Language Translation?
Language translation (click here ) deals with converting words of documents from one language to another accurately. Language translators should preserve the context and ideas so that their intended readers will understand the document they translate. They should be able to consider the cultural and linguistic differences between languages to ensure that records don’t lose any of their meaning once translated. Professional translators should be able to work on the technical terms, jargon, and unique words specific to the fields they work on.
What Is Language Interpretation?
While language translation deals with the written word, language interpretation, on the other hand, deals with the spoken word. A professional language interpreter can facilitate the communication between two parties that speak different languages and translate everything said in real-time. Language interpretation can be done in person, via video conferencing, language interpretation apps, or via phone.
What Skill Sets Does Professional Language Interpretation and Language Interpretation Require?
First and foremost, language translators and interpreters should communicate fluently in at least two languages. Professional language translation and interpretation are not simple word substitutions. They need to understand the contextual differences between languages to translate or interpret them as accurately as possible. Most importantly, professional interpreters and translators should have a firm grasp of their fields.
What are Specific Skill Sets Required For Language Translation?
Professional translators should be able to research properly in both languages to ensure that they can translate even industry-specific words in their field.
They should have excellent comprehension skills.
Language translators should have excellent composition and grammatical skills in both languages.
What are Specific Skill Sets Required For Language Interpretation?
Language Interpretation requires excellent listeners and note-takers.
Aside from being capable of taking down good notes, professional interpreters should have a sharp memory to enable them to translate accurately in real-time.
Language interpretation requires excellent communication and people skills.
Language interpretation, like translation, requires a firm grasp of grammar to facilitate an accurately worded interpretation that both parties can understand.
Can Anyone Who Speaks Multiple Languages Work as A Professional Interpreter or Translator Immediately?
Not just anyone who can speak multiple languages work professionally as a language interpreter or translator. Aside from the skill sets discussed in the earlier section, professional language experts must pass language proficiency tests. Moreover, professional language experts should have the experience and technical knowledge in the fields they will work in.
Takeaways: Human Language Interpretation and Language Translation is Still Essential In Today’s World
Technology has helped bridge the gap between different peoples and cultures. Never before have communication between other languages been more accessible. Despite the advent of machine-assisted translation tools, human language interpretation and translation are still essential in today’s world, especially for critical documents. Being professionals, human translators and interpreters don’t take the matter of accuracy lightly. One of the most vital aspects of their job is to ensure that the message and intent of the writer, or speaker, in another language can convey their thoughts and ideas accurately to their intended audience. As of today, only human language translators and interpreters can achieve that.
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