Definition

 

 

TRANSLATION VS. INTERPRETING

Translation is the written transfer of one language to another. Some major fields which require document translation are the legal, medical, scientific, technical and literary fields.Technical and legal translation requires a direct and literal word-for-word translation, whereas a literary translation may allow for a more liberal translation in which the style and meaning of the original work is conveyed without adhering to the constraints of legalities and technicalities. In addition to being bilingual in his/her language pair, a good translator will have an excellent grasp of the culture of the second language, and will have strong writing skills in the first or native language. A translator must be able to use a wide variety of resources to find specialized vocabulary and be skilled at researching topics. A reliable translator should be willing to provide a written estimate or quotation to a prospective client, will guarantee his/her work for any revisions or editing that may be required, will adhere to deadlines and have good follow-up skills. A professional translator will provide a polished finished product that is free of errors and well formatted. Fees for translation work will vary greatly depending upon the type of document, the experience and expertise of the translator, and the urgency of the deadline. Most translators will quote either a per page or a per word amount for a project. It is important for the client to have a clear understanding of what type of unit will be used to assess the total fee for the translation. If you are being quoted a per page rate, the number of words per page should also be specified.

Interpreting is the spoken transfer of one language to another. Language interpretation is conducted in two styles. Simultaneous and consecutive. A simultaneous interpreter interprets the meaning of what is being said by the speaker to the listener while the speaker is talking. In consecutive interpreting, the speaker will typically interpret sentence-by-sentence or one passage at a time. Interpreting is needed in a variety of different applications. Legal and court interpreting, business to business applications, hospital interpreting and travel guide are a few examples. A good interpreter will have a very good command of both languages being used, will be versed in the subject matter that is being discussed, and will only interpret what is being said, without interjecting any personal opinion. An interpreter who has excellent comprehension, retention and communication skills is highly specialized in their field. Interpreters are paid by the hour and rates vary according to the type of interpreting being used. Hourly rates may range anywhere from U.S.$ 30.00/HR to over $200.00/HR.