Spotlight

Difference Between Interpreter and Translator

Difference Between Interpreter and Translator

The phrases interpreter and translator may look synonymous at the outset, but there is a disparity between interpreter and translator. There exists a difference in their notion. Hence, before examining the disparity between interpreter and translator, let us glance at what each of these phrases means and their features. Both interpreter and translator are described as a noun. A translator is the noun method of the verb “translate”, whereas an interpreter is the noun method of the verb “interpret”. One of the essential disparities between an interpreter and a translator is that an interpreter translates spoken phrases while a translator translates words that are written.

Who is a Translator?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a translator is an individual who summarizes one terminology into another. This is mainly done as a profession. A translator has to be qualified with great linguistic abilities. The translator is considered to possess a sound understanding of grammar, and he ought to be in a status to convey the thoughts proposed in the terminology that he would summarize very well. The position of a translator does not need any unique talents as he would operate into his citizen terminology most of the time. A translator possesses all the time he needs to summarize written phrases. He takes pleasure in the luxury of referencing books; analysis works, and grammar texts.

Who is an Interpreter?

The Oxford English Dictionary describes an interpreter as an individual who analyzes. It describes an interpreter as an individual who deciphers spoken words or sometimes signs language. An interpreter must summarize the oral speech on the ground that whatever grammatical understanding he has of the terminology from which he analyzes and his knowledge is founded on the expertise of the matter. This creates the career of an interpreter to be more challenging. On the perverse to the career of a translator, the work of an interpreter needs unique agility in the sense that he has to perform the interpretation orally and at the place often.

Difference Between Translator and Interpreter

The duty of a translator is extremely explicit in an objective, while the duty of interpretation is extremely communicating in intention. Therefore, it can be said that a translator does his best to communicate the original author’s ideas in another language. At the same time, the interpreter performs his best to communicate the statement of the speaker in another language.

  • A translator translates messages which are written, while an interpreter translates messages presented verbally.
  • Since a translator has to do with written words, he should properly understand the target speech. This is based on the language that she interprets.
  • An interpreter possesses a more difficult job since his interpretation is to be done instantly.
  • A translator possesses more independence in perusing other references if an issue arises. An interpreter does not possess such independence since his interpretation is based on the knowledge reserved in his mind.

Although the job of a translator appears to be simpler than an interpreter, it does not reduce the obligations a translator has for his translation. The obligations are comparable for both the translator and the interpreter.