Interpreting and translation are the two most common practices in the world of linguistics. Although they are closely related to each other, they share a lot of similarities and have may differences. As you might already know about the differences, in this article, we will discuss the common elements of interpreters and translators.
The passion and background
First and foremost, both interpreter and translator have their passion and respect for language in common. Most of them love literature and are careful in the way they use language to express and communicate. Many interpreters and translators also pursue their Master’s degree in interpretation/translation to dig deeper into this field of linguistics. At the same time, it is common that they choose to focus their education in their chosen language and country ie. USA, UK, China, Japan, Korea and etc. This enables them to understand the insight of the language and culture of that country deeper and better.
The way they work
There’s no doubt that they both convert the source language to the target language. Typically, interpreter and translator work with their mother-tongue language and another language (or more). In addition, interpreters and translators who have spent years abroad usually are capable of not only translating/interpreting their mother-tongue to another language but also vice versa.
The competence
It is safe to say that both interpreter and translator share a number of common skills and qualities. The good ones are those who can convey the target language as well as embrace the cultural nuances of the source language. And to be one, they need to sharpen their skills and improve their qualities through times.
First and foremost, they have exceptional knowledge and skills of both source and target language. This is the most important basis for good quality interpreters/translators. Usually, they are well-rounded with general knowledge or some specific areas ie. medical, engineer, IT, international relations, etc. including the culture of both languages as mentioned earlier.
Secondly, they both are good at time-management. Although the mean of practice is different, when the interpreter and translator receive the source language, they naturally perform quick analyses and react quickly. They respect deadlines and understand what they need to do in order to deliver the best quality of work in the time and context given.
In summary, both professions require extensive education, training, and commitment. We hope that this article will bring you understanding at what stands behind the person, who is behind the desk creating your text in another language or the person who sits just next to you at a business talk. Our Project Managers will be able to advise you on further competence required for a certain project or guide you through the process and how to select the most suitable one for your project.