Difference Between Translation and Interpreting

What's the difference between Translation and Interpreting and why is it such a big deal. Well first of all it's not a big deal and no one should make you feel small for not knowing the difference. In fact the two professions serve the same purpose but in different contexts. Basically translation is written communication and Interpreting is oral communication.

Translation: "is the interpretation of the meaning of a text in one language (the "source text") and the production thereof, into another language, of an equivalent text (the "target text," or "translation") that communicates the same message."¹

Interpreting: "is the intellectual activity that consists of facilitating oral or sign language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between two or among three or more speakers who are not speaking, or signing, the same language. The words interpreting and interpretation both can be used to refer to this activity, the word interpreting is commonly used in the profession and in the translation studies field in avoiding the other meanings of the word interpretation."²

So again ultimately the difference comes down to written or verbal translation of a communication but there are finer differences as well. A translator, for example, can scrupulously examen a text and interpret each sentence into a foreign language so that the original message is transferred to the target language. Interpreters are required to verbally translate conversation as it is happening often for more than 2 participants. Each acts as a relay and must not add their own feelings or thoughts to the communication. They must relay the message as originally delivered in order to protect the integrity and efficiency of the source communication.

Aaron Kuroiwa - is the director of Translation Services company LeTranslator Translation services. LeTranslator is an Arizona translation service specializing in Spanish, French and Japanese Translation services.