Translated from Spanish by: Julia Egea Ribera

When it comes to communication between different languages, two often confused terms are translation and interpreting. While both disciplines focus on facilitating communication between people who speak different languages, they have fundamental differences in both means and method. They are typically studied together because they are two sides of the same coin, but they are two separate services that, each in their own way, play a crucial role in the world of multilingual mediation.

Translation: unravelling written nuances

Translation is the art of transferring a text from one language into another, while maintaining its meaning, tone and style. It is a meticulous process that requires specific linguistic skills and a deep understanding of the culture and context of both languages. Translators generally work with written texts, such as books, articles, contracts, or websites, but they can also work with audio files, video files or even images, such as films, series or figures from scientific articles. The key is that a translator’s final product is always a written text. Some of the main characteristics of this discipline are:

1. Time to research and check

When requesting a translation service, the project manager analyses the original text and establishes a deadline according to the specifics of the assignment. This time frame should give the translator enough time to research, check different sources and ensure that each phrase and term is well chosen.

Translators work from home or from an office and have access to the full text to read it several times, so that they can check the translated text and make sure that every word is in place.

Moreover, translation includes an editing process in which the text is adapted to the format and typographical conventions of the target language. A translator needs time to find equivalents for puns or to adapt neologisms in a fantasy novel, for example.

Another fundamental characteristic is that a translation service involves proofreading by another professional before delivering the final text to the client, who always receives the best possible version.

2. Accuracy and consistency

The main goal of translation is for the text to have the same effect on the target reader as it has on the readers in the original language. A translator must ensure that the original message is accurately delivered and remains consistent in the target language. The translation needs to capture the exact meaning of the original text and deliver it without loss of detail.

Interpreting: real-time communication

An interpreter, on the other hand, tries to facilitate oral communication between people speaking different languages in real time. The final product is always a spoken text, which is why interpreters work at live events such as conferences, meetings, trials, interviews or at other situations where immediate communication is essential. Some of the main characteristics of this discipline are:

1. Immediacy and adaptability

Interpreters work live, so they need not only an exceptional fluency on both languages, but also the ability to react quickly and adapt on the fly to changes in the speech. They must process the information while listening and fluently and accurately deliver the message in the other language.

Interpreters must be very quick and have a very good memory to be able to properly deliver the message. But interpreting also requires intense concentration, not only to keep track of the speech, but also because of the nature of the working environment. Interpreters usually travel to the venue and work seeing the listeners, either from the stage or from a booth. This way, they have first-hand access to their reactions, which can be a double-edged sword.

2. No editing

Unlike translation, where there is time to reread and rewrite, interpreting is a real-time process, which means that there is no option to correct oneself. Therefore, a great deal of background work is required prior to each event, so that the interpreter can thoroughly research the specific subject matter of the conference or meeting and arrive as prepared as possible.

This is why, all possible information is requested when accepting an assignment, whether it be slide presentations, contracts to be discussed or any other topic that will be covered in the speech. The more information the interpreter has, the better they can prepare and the more likely it is that everything will flow smoothly during the event.

And what are the similarities?

Having seen the main differences between these two disciplines, it is worth mentioning that the skills of a translator and an interpreter also overlap to a large extent. Both are language professionals specialised in mediating between languages (sometimes in the same body). This professionals build bridges between people who speak different languages and come from different cultures.

Translators and interpreters must have a perfect command of their working languages, not only in writing, but also in their various registers, idioms and cultural conventions. And, as in many professions, they may work in very different fields with specific characteristics, which results in the different specialisations within each discipline:

In translation, we tend to focus on the subject matter of the text in order to talk about types or specialities. Thus, there are translators and interpreters specialising in medicine, law, science, audiovisual texts, gastronomy or marketing. The list is not exactly short, but we delve into it in more detail in our article about types of translation.

In interpreting, the differentiation tends to be based more on form than content: a distinction is made between simultaneous, consecutive and liaison interpreting. Although interpreters also specialise in fields such as law, science or business. This is also dealt with in detail in a separate entry on the types of interpreting.

In conclusion

To sum up, translation and interpreting are two essential language services that play a crucial role in multilingual communication. Translation focuses on unravelling written nuances and adapting texts to a different language; while interpreting allows for a seamless real-time communication between people speaking different languages.

At Lingua we understand the value of effective and clear communication between different languages and cultures. That is why we offer both translation and interpreting services to meet all your language needs. To overcome those language barriers so that you can communicate without borders.

If you have a project in mind, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help you.

Discover the power of multilingual communication with Lingua and reach new horizons!