Many people are confused about the difference between Translations and Interpreting, I know I was. When we look at linguistics management, we need to look at how we manage and identify the difference between TRANSLATION and INTERPRETATION.
I think that most people will agree that Translation is the process of translating words or text from one language to another. Well, that’s what is says on-line so I’m pretty comfortable with that one. I think most people use the word translation because it’s the easier concept but what about that other word: Interpreting. Oh yes, a bit trickier.
Interpretation or interpreting is the facilitating of oral or sign-language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between users of different languages. An interpreter is a person who converts a thought or expression in a source language into an expression with a comparable meaning in a target language either simultaneously in “real time” or consecutively after one party has finished speaking. The interpreter’s function is to convey every semantic element (tone and register) and every intention and feeling of the message that the source-language speaker is directing to target-language recipients.
Well there you are, I do not think I could have said it any better. When we think of Translation we are thinking about the written word and when we desire Interpreting or interpretation, we now know that it’s the spoken word. In obtaining the desired resource, action and outcome, we must first convey by using the right solution name in order to streamline the process.
I know that in the hectic business environment we all live it’s easy to get confused; I hope that this explanation of the two primary and distinct linguistic process will help support a streamlined workflow process.
For more details on linguistic services and how we apply them in our everyday workflow, please contact us.
References:
Translation: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/translation
Interpreting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_interpretation
