Nowadays, communication with different languages has become quite simpler. Translators and interpreters have made this so easy and time feasible. These have made it easier to translate text documents or oral conversions into desired languages. Translators mainly convert pieces of text whereas the interpreter translates conversations from a given language to the desired language.
Translator vs Interpreter
The main difference between translator and interpreter is that the translator interprets a piece of written text into the requested language. Whereas the interpreter translates the speech into a different language orally. The translator needs to maintain accuracy and precision. Whereas the interpreter should only convey the message of the speech and not need to translate word by word.
The translator converts a piece of written text into the requested language. The translator needs to maintain accuracy and precision as the text may be legal documents or a precious document. The translator receives a piece of a written document, they can use modern software and technique to convert the text in the desired language.
The interpreter should only convey the message of the speech and not need to translate word by word. The interpreter translates the speech into a different language orally. The interpreter is paid on an hourly basis and must show fluency in both languages. For effortless translation, the interpreter must have a great command of the given and desired language.
Comparison Table Between Translator and Interpreter
| Parameters of Comparison | Translator | Interpreter |
| Definition | The translator converts a portion of written text into the desired language. | The interpreter translates a speech orally from a given language to the desired language. |
| Techniques | As the translator accepts a portion of a written report, they can use modern software and technique to translate the text to their desired language. | The interpreter translates the sentences on the spot with no help from any external source. |
| Accuracy | The translator needs to maintain full precision while translating the text. | The interpreter needs to communicate the message, not the proper wordings need to be explained. |
| Time consumption | Translators have a reasonable time to convert the text into the desired language. | The interpreters have to act fast and have to translate the oral speech to an audience on the spot. |
| Fluency | The translator need not maintain fluency in the work. | The interpreter has to maintain fluency in both languages. |
What is Translator?
The translator is a trained and skilled person who has a great command in the translation of written pieces. Also, the translator needs to retain the accuracy and precision of the text. The translator does not necessarily uphold fluency while translating the text. The main skills needed for the translator are proficiency to recognize the given text language and tradition of the country from where the text has originated.
After analyzing these details, the translator needs to use their knowledge of words gained from the library and good books. However, these reference books and dictionaries help in increasing the word power and accuracy of the translator. In other words, while linguistic and cultural skills are still critical, the most important mark of a good translator is the ability to write well in the target language.
Also, proofreading is a must, the sense of the written text must not get changed through the translation. Furthermore, translators often prefer computer-aided translation which may cause some minute errors, so proofreading is necessary.
What is an Interpreter?
An interpreter is a trained person who translates the conversation from a given language to the desired language. The interpreter must have a good command of both languages. Also, they need not maintain the accuracy and precision word by word but only translate the meaning or soul of the speech.
Furthermore, the interpreter needs to translate the speech on the spot. For example, a meeting is held between two groups of people of different languages. So the interpreter needs to translate the conversation from one language to another on the spot.
According to this condition, the interpreter cannot use any modern software or device for on-the-spot translation. Also, the interpreter needs to act fast and should be spontaneous in this work. Also, while maintaining a transition between the languages, the interpreter needs to strengthen the fluency and speed.
The fundamental skills that are mandatory for interpreters are a good listener, fast grasping capacity, and high capacity to interpret the speech. However, to interpret a speech, an interpreter must possess high-level mastery in the given as well as the desired language.
Main Differences Between Translator and Interpreter
- The translator has to work on a given piece of the written text whereas the interpreter translates a speech orally.
- As the translator receives a piece of a written document, they can use much modern software and technique to convert the text in the desired language. Whereas the interpreter translates the sentences on the spot with no help from any type of software.
- The translator needs to maintain full accuracy while translation as the piece of text can be a document. In the case of the interpreter, they just need to convey the message, not the proper wordings need to be explained.
- Translators are given proper time to convert the text into the desired language whereas interpreters have to act fast. Interpreters have to translate the oral speech to an audience on the spot.
- The translator need not have fluency in the work as there is no need for such a thing. While talking about an interpreter, they have to maintain fluency in both languages.
Conclusion
An interpreter is a well-trained and skilled person who translates the piece of speech from a given language to the desired language. The translator is a trained person who has great strength in the translation of written pieces. The interpreter must have a good grip on both languages. Also, the translator needs to retain the accuracy and precision of the text. Also, they need not maintain perfect accuracy and precision word by word.
While an interpreter needs to translate only the meaning or soul of the speech. The translator does not necessarily uphold fluency while translating the text. The main skills needed for the translator are mastery to recognize the language of the given book and the tradition of the country from where the text has originated.
References
- https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/books?pageSize=100&order=date&page=38
- https://api.taylorfrancis.com/content/books/mono/download?identifierName=doi&identifierValue=10.4324/9780203992722&type=googlepdf
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=YfHEXethAN4C&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=interpreter&ots=jj4-fSFgW0&sig=qUiWHH_m5hK3NFpr6kYe3WM0y6A
- https://www.bmj.com/content/311/7004/555.short