22 dez What’s the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
We often hear the words ‘translator’ and ‘interpreter’ used synonymously, but they actually mean very different things. It’s true that there are similarities between the two, as both specialise in converting a source language into a target language. But a major difference is that translators work with written language while interpreters work with spoken language, which in itself points to two completely diverse universes.
Interpreters work in the world of oral communication, at international conferences, congresses, seminars, training sessions, business meetings – wherever there are people sharing information in different languages. Interpreting can be consecutive or simultaneous.
Consecutive translation is when the speaker speaks for a few moments and then interrupts his/her speech to give way to the interpreter who, alongside him/her, conveys that content in the language of the listeners. This is what we usually see at presidential meetings or visits. In simultaneous interpretation, the speaker’s words are simultaneously conveyed to the meeting participants wearing headsets by interpreters sitting in soundproof booths.
The translator, on the other hand, works alone in front of his computer, in a quiet environment, translating written content, which can be literary or technical.
Literary translation is well known to everyone and it is thanks to it that we can access works of world literature even without mastering English, French, German, Arabic or Russian. Literary translation is considered an art and some say that it takes at least the soul of a writer and poet to translate literature.
Technical translation requires precision and knowledge of the subject matter. It’s anything that isn’t fiction – reports, contracts, balance sheets, standards, patents, documents, engineering texts, manuals, websites, medical articles, etc.
By Lucia Melim
Consultant Interpreter
CENTRAL DOS INTÉRPRETES