| Have you considered a career as an interpreter or | | | | languages into one "active" language. For example, |
| translator, but are not sure if either field would be an | | | | they might be required to interpret French and Spanish |
| agreeable one for you? Alternatively, are you one of | | | | into English. |
| many people who often assume that an interpreter | | | | Guide Interpreter: A Guide Interpreter will escort foreign |
| and a translator are one in the same? Let us confer | | | | visitors in the United States, or they will escorts United |
| their distinct qualities as well as describe some specific | | | | States visitors abroad. They often work in pairs in |
| careers in each field. | | | | 30-minute intervals. This often involves travel, which is |
| First, both an interpreter and a translator convert one | | | | likely to be an advantage to someone in this field. |
| "source" language to another "target" language. This is | | | | Judiciary Interpreter or Translator: Each of these |
| done throughout our global societies. In addition, for | | | | people will work in court for non-English speaking |
| both an interpreter and a translator, several skills are | | | | people. They must not only be familiar with the |
| required. They both require much more than simply | | | | languages, but also the United States judicial system |
| translating words from one language to another | | | | and the judicial systems in other countries. It is essential |
| language. On the contrary, both careers require | | | | that they remain indifferent so not to modify the |
| translating concepts or ideas. Next, they each require a | | | | content. They may also have to translate written |
| strong comprehension of the subject matter by the | | | | documents and read aloud. |
| translator. Furthermore, both an interpreter and a | | | | Literary Translator: A Literary Translator will work |
| translator need to be perceptive to the cultures of the | | | | closely with an author to reproduce their work in |
| two languages involved. | | | | another language. The focus is on reproducing the |
| Further, an interpreter and a translator require fluency | | | | deliberate meanings of the work. They translate |
| in at least two languages. Some professions may | | | | literature such as poetry, books, short stories, and |
| require fluency in three languages. The first language is | | | | journal articles from one language to another. |
| called their "active" or "native" language, and the | | | | Localization Translators: A Localization Translator will |
| second is called their "passive" language. Their job is to | | | | completely adapt a product for use in a different |
| interpret their passive language into their active | | | | language and culture, such as software, internet sites, |
| language; the one they know best. | | | | and manufacturing. The objective is for the product to |
| When looking at the differences between and | | | | appear as though it was originated in the country |
| interpreter and a translator, it becomes apparent that | | | | where it will be sold. Knowledge of the target |
| an interpreter converts one "spoken" language to | | | | audience, a strong computer background, and a firm |
| another "spoken" language. In doing so, the interpreter | | | | grasp of the languages to be translated are essential. |
| must use excellent analytical skills to present the | | | | Sign Language Interpreter: A Sign Language Interpreter |
| subject matter from one culture to another culture. A | | | | must be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). |
| thorough comprehension of the subject matter is | | | | They will communicate between deaf or hard of |
| required, thus prior research is often needed by the | | | | hearing people, and people who can hear. Just like |
| interpreter. | | | | foreign language interpreting, sign language interpreting |
| In addition, there are two types of interpretation. | | | | requires more than replacing a spoken word with a |
| "Simultaneous Interpretation" requires a high level of | | | | sign. Ideas to be conveyed as well as the cultures |
| concentration as the interpreter will express a | | | | involved, are important components in sign language |
| sentence while the speaker is still talking. It is often | | | | interpretation. |
| used in court systems as well as at international | | | | Salary Rate for Interpreters and Translators |
| conferences. At simultaneous interpretation events, | | | | There is a broad variation in salary scale for an |
| interpreters will often work in pairs for periods of 30 | | | | interpreter or translator. It becomes obvious that the |
| minutes. | | | | greater demand for a specific language, the higher the |
| "Consecutive Interpretation" is used in person-to-person | | | | earnings become. Along with language, subject matter, |
| communication. The interpreter will sometimes take | | | | experience, education, employer, all play a role in |
| notes. He or she will speak after the speaker has said | | | | determining salary. In 2008, information from the |
| several words or sentences. | | | | Occupational Employment Statistics reveal that the |
| On the other end, a translator will transfer "written" | | | | middle income earned by interpreters and translators |
| material from one language to another. Outstanding | | | | ranged from $28,940 to $52,240. In addition, statistics |
| writing skills, strong analytical ability, and fine editing skills | | | | from the National Employer Matrix tell us that the |
| are required of a translator. As stated before, a | | | | average employment growth for an interpreter or |
| translator does not simply change each word in one | | | | translator will grow at a rate of 22% between 2008 |
| language to another language. The practice requires | | | | and 2018. |
| the translator to perform several steps. First, he/she | | | | There are some downsides to having a career in |
| must read the text in its entirety. Next, unknown words | | | | these fields. One of the negative factors to having a |
| must be looked up and understood in the writing's | | | | career as an Interpreter or Translator is that the |
| context. More research may be required if the subject | | | | professions can be grueling and stressful. In addition, |
| matter is unclear to the translator. When writing to a | | | | you are often working under a deadline. If you decide |
| specific audience, the translator is also required to | | | | to freelance, you will have to manage your own |
| keep cultural references in mind. In addition, a translator | | | | finances, which could lead to a slow paying process |
| will do several revisions before they have the final text | | | | by your clients. |
| completed. | | | | Despite the drawbacks and stresses of a career in |
| As described individually below, Interpreters and | | | | translation or interpreting, there are some major |
| Translators work in an array of areas such as | | | | advantages as well. For example, you have the ability |
| business, social service and entertainment. | | | | to control your schedule and your workload. There is a |
| Conference Interpreter: A Conference Interpreter will | | | | low rate of work related injuries. In addition, there is a |
| work at conferences where there are non-English | | | | variety of concentrations in these fields. Flexibility is |
| speaking people of multiple languages. It is often | | | | also a positive factor, if you are looking for time to |
| preferred that they are able to translate two "passive" | | | | pursue some other interests. |