Translation vs Interpretation

Different cultural norms. Different time zones. Different types of food. A language which doesn’t even share the same root as your native tongue…

When you start doing business outside of Australia for the first time, you’ll soon find yourself in need of certain types of language professionals to get your message across. You might even find this to be the case domestically if you target the large Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Italian or Greek-speaking communities inside of Australia.

But which type of linguist do you need for your project? A translator or an interpreter?

If you’re used to selling only to an English-speaking audience, this can be more than a little confusing. In this article, we’ll take a look at translation vs interpretation – differences, similarities and which one will be right for you.

The short answer is no, not really.

Interpretation and translation are, admittedly, closely related linguistic disciplines. But there are distinct differences in what the two skills require from those performing them at the professional standard.

On the simplest level:

• An interpreter translates orally
• A translator interprets written text

An interpreter must be able to translate between two languages on the spot and paraphrase verbally.

In order to do this properly, it is crucial that interpreters have a deep understanding and knowledge of the subject matter as well as the actual languages involved. For example, interpreters are often needed in various situations where immediate oral translation is called for:

• Courtrooms, where knowing legal practices and codes of the jurisdiction is a definite advantage
• Conferences or live presentations, where subject matter knowledge is the only way to ensure your audience receives the correct message
• Business meetings, where industry knowledge is vital if you want a negotiation to succeed

Highly qualified interpreters are often difficult to find because interpreting must happen live and essentially impromptu, meaning the interpreter must also have skills in presentation and clear communication.

When dealing with multiple languages, multilingual interpreters are extremely useful because of their ability to facilitate communication between several different languages on the spot.

Translators work with written text. This requires that the translator must be able to write well in the target language – and that they have a deep understanding of both the source and target cultures. That’s why it’s so important that you use a translator who is a native speaker of your target language.

As opposed to interpreters, who must work in the moment, translators have the benefit of time and revisions on their side. When working with a written document, translators can – and should – reference alternate materials to verify their translation is accurate. They will also have ample time to review the content – and have it reviewed by senior editors and other linguists – to ensure accuracy.

Knowing the differences between translating and interpreting will help you decide who to seek out for your next language project.

Once you’ve decided which kind of linguist you need, the next step is to discover whether they have the kind of skills and experience you can rely on:

In Australia, you can check if your professional has NAATI (the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) certification, although this can be an expensive option for most projects.

Wherever you are in the world, checking that your translation agency meets the ISO:9001 quality management standard or the ISO:17100 for translation services is another solid step to take. Because no matter whether you need translation or interpretation, guaranteeing the accuracy, style and quality of the language services you book is absolutely vital.

Need to know what kind of interpreter or translator is right for your project?

Get in touch with us now or leave a comment below to learn more.