In today’s globalized marketplace and increasingly multicultural world, demand for language translation and interpreting services is rising. Because these two services are so similar, it is easy to confuse them; however, in the world of business, translating and interpreting are two very different things.
Before hiring any business translators or professional interpreters, it’s a good idea to make sure you understand exactly what you need and why you need it. To that end, here’s a look at the differences between language translation and interpreting:
What Business Translators Do
Language translation is the rendering of a written document into another language. If your company does business overseas, your business website, marketing materials, training materials and other business documents need to be read and understood by non-English speakers. High-quality business translators will offer 24-hour turnaround on most language translation projects, as well as the ability to upload your documents to get an estimate before you commit yourself.
Business translators must take many different factors into account when translating documents, including idioms, local differences, and cultural euphemisms and sensitivities. A language translation professional must keep all of these factors in mind while also making sure the underlying message is clear and complete.
What Professional Interpreters Do
Interpreting is the real-time translation of spoken language. Instead of translating documents, professional interpreters help people communicate with each other in spoken conversation. Professional interpreters can fulfill many different roles, from interpreting business meetings to facilitating face-to-face interviews.
Professional medical interpreters are in particularly high demand. Medical interpreters work in emergency rooms and other medical organizations to help health care providers communicate accurately with patients who speak a different language. Because medical interpreters must convey sensitive information such as symptoms, allergies, medications, diagnoses and treatment plans, they need to have a top-notch working knowledge of medical terminology.
Professional interpreters need to be very quick thinkers, as well as unflappable and comfortable in intense interpreting situations. Telephonic interpreters also need to be exceptional listeners without the assistance of visual cues.
