Aren’t Interpreters and Translators the Same Thing?
You ever confuse a psychiatrist and a psychologist? An optometrist and an optician? An interpreter and a translator? Well, all of those have many more differences than you might think! And just like your psychologist can’t medicate you, your optician won’t give you an eye exam, translators and interpreters have their unique traits as well. These differences are important to know if you are looking for a career in either or looking to hire one or the other. So, what are the differences between both?
The Differences Between Interpreter and Translator
There are a few main differences between an interpreter and a translator. Mainly what tools each use, and what the work might look like.
- Interpreters might need to translate back and forth between two languages, while translators usually translate to their native language.
- Interpreters might use a headset, but not much else, whereas translators might use programs, dictionaries, and computers to translate.
- Translators are paid either by the word, page, or hour, whereas interpreters might be paid by the hour or day.
- Translators have time on their side and can stop to look up a word or better meaning, whereas interpreters must think on their feet.
- While everyone aims for perfection, interpreting may have a lower level of accuracy since being on the spot makes it harder to be perfect. Translators have the space to work towards perfection.
- The main difference is that interpreters work with spoken language, whereas translators work with the written word.
Similarities Between Interpreter and Translator
- Both careers require professional qualifications.
- Both careers require expertise in the language.
- Both careers are taking a message from one language and transferring it to another
Are You More an Interpreter or a Translator?
Do you feel like you think quicker on your feet or do you work better when you have time to break down ideas? Do you like speaking or are you better at writing? Do you like working with people face to face, or do you rather the comfort of a screen? Do you prefer fast-paced environments or slower ones? These are good questions to ask yourself to identify what might work better for you.
Master Language Learning with Mosalingua
With Mosalingua's platform, you can immerse yourself in Spanish, French, Japanese, and more. Learn independently, while also benefiting from a committed team's support, ensuring continuous motivation and expert guidance every step of the way. With an impressive 4.5/5 ★ rating on the app and endorsements from Cosmopolitan, HuffPost, and Mashable, join the thriving community of language learners who rely on Mosalingua as their comprehensive solution for fast and effective language acquisition.
This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on or make a purchase through the link.
