What is the difference between translation and interpreting?

Whilst many of us would love to master another language, there are only a small number of people in the world who have more than one language at their disposal. They can be incredibly helpful when it comes to interchanging words from one language to another so that others can understand them.

You might think of these people as translators or interpreters, but they are actually not the same thing. Whilst both are required to speak more than one language, the way in which they use this can vary.

To explain further, Andrew Schlich, Founder & Managing Director of AST Language Services, explains the difference between translation and interpreting.

What is interpretation?

When someone interprets something, they are usually interpreting the spoken word and not something that is written down. They need to do this in the moment in order to tell a single person or an audience what has been said and then report back the response to the original speaker. They do not have help from scripts, dictionaries or reference materials but still need to keep the correct meaning and context.

As interpreters are required to work their magic on the spot, they have to think very quickly, and so cannot rephrase everything perfectly. They concentrate on making sure that all of the relevant information is communicated in the shortest time possible, and so they may leave out some of the less important parts.

An interpreter will need to convert language into their native tongue and out of it again, meaning that they will need to be extremely competent in both in order for a conversation or speech to flow properly.

Sometimes, the speech that they are interpreting will involve colloquialisms and culturally specific references that they will need to rephrase or cut out entirely to make what they are saying make sense to someone who speaks a different language and has different points of reference.

They will also be required to capture tone, inflections and voice quality to ensure that all intangible meanings of the speech that they are listening to are passed on accurately as well as the more overt messages.

Interpreters are generally used in conferences, meetings, medical appointments, legal proceedings, live television coverage and sign language. It can be done in person, over the phone or via video.

What is translation?

Translating a language is something that usually refers to a written text. As this is the case, a translator has a little more time at their disposal than interpreters in order to make sure that every detail is correct. Translation may require a degree of research as it aims to be as accurate as possible and can sometimes involve computer-aided tools. Native speakers of the language that the text is being translated into often find this an easier task as it is likely to read more naturally.

A translator may find themselves having to deal with a number of metaphors and idioms, which can be challenging to convert into another language. It is for this reason that so much time is needed in order for them to perfect the text that they are working on to ensure it is an accurate and fair reflection of the original.

A translator can work on a number of different formats including websites, print, video subtitles, software, multimedia and social media to make sure that they are saying exactly what they need them to.

If you are looking at working through a different language, then it is important to find the person that can do the best job for you. Knowing the difference between translation and interpreting means you are better placed to find the service that meets your needs and priorities.