TRANSLATION VS.

INTERPRETATION
Translation and Interpretation Terms
 Balanced translation - is one that can be considered
the middle ground between source and target languages
as to the respect of meaning, structure, etc. of both
languages. A translator adopts the original text into the
target language using the normal word order, grammar
and syntax of the target language preserving the
meaning of the source language. This is what translators
normally try to achieve.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Conference interpretation - simultaneous interpreting

of a speaker's statements at a conference, symposium
or any other large meeting.
 Consecutive interpretation - one of three modes of
interpreting (along with simultaneous and sight
interpretation), in which a speaker pauses every few
sentences to allow the interpreter to interpret what has
just been said.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Court/Legal interpretation - interpreting at legal

proceedings, which is performed by a court interpreter
who has special subject matter knowledge.
 Cultural adaptation - adjusting translation to the cultural
environment of the target language to make it suitable
for the target audience.
 Freelancer - a self-employed translator or interpreter
who works independently directly with the clients and
might as well do projects for translation agencies.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Guide or escort interpreter - interpreter who

accompanies visitors from a particular country abroad or
foreign visitors that come to visit a country to ensure that
they are able to communicate during their stay. This
requires frequent travel and ability to interpret on a
variety of subjects both professional and informal.
 Human translation - translation performed by a real
human translator as opposed to translation performed by
a machine.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Interpretation, interpreting - the process of facilitating

oral communication from one language to another. It is
performed by an interpreter.
 Interpreter - one who renders oral communication from
one language into another language.
 Literal translation - is one that closely matches the
wording and structure of the source language. The literal
meaning of words is taken as if from the dictionary (out
of context), but target language grammar is respected.
Literal translation often appears unnatural, hard to read
and understand, and therefore should be avoided unless
a translator is specifically asked to do a literal translation.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Literary translation - translation of work of literature

such as novels, short stories, poetry, etc.
 Medical interpretation - interpreting in various medical
settings such as doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics,
rehabilitation centers, etc. This type of interpretation is
done by medical interpreters who have special subject
matter knowledge.
 Machine translation - translation performed by
computers using various computer programs without a
human translator's input in the process. Machine
translation cannot be relied upon as its accuracy is very
low and the meaning in most cases is distorted.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Native language - it is the first language a person learns

and usually is known as a person's "mother tongue".
 Sight interpretation - one of three modes of interpreting
(along with consecutive and simultaneous interpretation),
in which an interpreter reads a document written in one
language and orally interprets information into another
language.
 Sign language interpreter - interpreter who facilitates
communication between people who are deaf or hard of
hearing and people who can hear. Sign language
interpreter must be fluent in English and Sign Language
(SL).
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Simultaneous interpretation - one of three modes of

interpreting (along with consecutive and sight
interpretation), in which an interpreter interprets the
message orally at the same time as the speaker is
speaking. The interpreter usually sits in a booth and
listens through a headset or other equipment. Depending
on situation, also known as conference interpreting or
whispering.
 Source language - the language in which text was
originally written.
 Target language - the language into which text is
translated.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 A language - Native language

Most people have one A language, although someone who
was raised bilingual may have two A languages or an A and a
B, depending on whether they are truly bilingual or just very
fluent in the second language.
B language - Fluent language
Fluent here means near-native ability - understanding virtually
all vocabulary, structure, dialects, cultural influence, etc. A
certified translator or interpreter has at least one B language,
unless he or she is bilingual with two A languages.
C language - Working language
Translators and interpreters may have one or more C
languages - those which they understand well enough to
translate or interpret from but not to.
Translation and Interpretation Terms cont.

 Staff translators - full-time translators working for a

specific employer.
 Telephone interpretation - interpreting a conversation
over the phone.
 Translation, translating - the process of facilitating
written communication from one language to another. It
is performed by a translator. Translation should almost
always be done by a native speaker into his/her own
mother tongue.
 Translator - one who renders written text from one
language into another language.
Translation is written - it involves taking a written text
(such as a book or an article) and translating it in
writing into the target language.

Interpretation is oral - it refers to listening to something

spoken (a speech or phone conversation) and interpreting
it orally into the target language.
Interpreters convert one spoken language into – or, in
the case of sign-language interpreters, between spoken
communication and sign language. Interpreting requires
that one pay attention carefully, understand what is
communicated in both languages, and express thoughts
and ideas clearly. Strong research and analytical skills,
mental dexterity, and an exceptional memory also are
important.
There are two modes of interpreting: simultaneous, and consecutive.

•Simultaneous (simul) interpreting requires interpreters to listen and

speak (or sign) at the same time someone is speaking or signing.
Ideally, simultaneous interpreters should be so familiar with a
subject that they are able to anticipate the end of the speaker's
sentence. Because they need a high degree of concentration,
simultaneous interpreters work in pairs, with each interpreting for 20-
minute to 30-minute periods. This type of interpreting is required at
international conferences and is sometimes used in the courts.

• Consecutive (consec) interpreting begins only after the speaker

has verbalized a group of words or sentences. Consecutive
interpreters often take notes while listening to the speakers, so they
must develop some type of note-taking or shorthand system. This
form of interpreting is used most often for person-to-person
communication, during which the interpreter is positioned near both
parties.
Translators convert written materials from one language
into another. They must have excellent writing and
analytical ability, and because the translations that they
produce must be accurate, they also need good editing
skills.
Translating involves more than replacing a word with its
equivalent in another language; sentences and ideas must
be manipulated to flow with the same coherence as those
in the source document so that the translation reads as
though it originated in the target language. Translators also
must bear in mind any cultural references that may need to
be explained to the intended audience, such as
colloquialisms, slang, and other expressions that do not
translate literally. Some subjects may be more difficult than
others to translate because words or passages may have
multiple meanings that make several translations possible.
Not surprisingly, translated work often goes through
multiple revisions before final text is submitted.
Judiciary interpreters and translators facilitate communication
for people with limited English proficiency who find it challenging
to communicate in a legal setting. Legal translators must be
thoroughly familiar with the language and functions of their
country’s judicial system, as well as other countries' legal
systems. Court interpreters work in a variety of legal settings,
such as attorney-client meetings, preliminary hearings,
arraignments, depositions, and trials. Success as a court
interpreter requires an understanding of both legal terminology
and colloquial language. In addition to interpreting what is said,
court interpreters also may be required to read written
documents aloud in a language other than that in which they
were written, a task known as sight translation.
Medical interpreters and translators, sometimes referred to as
healthcare interpreters and translators, provide language services
to healthcare patients with limited English proficiency. Medical
interpreters help patients to communicate with doctors, nurses,
and other medical staff. Translators working in this specialty
primarily convert patient materials and informational brochures
issued by hospitals and medical facilities into the desired
language. Interpreters in this field need a strong grasp of medical
and colloquial terminology in both languages, along with cultural
sensitivity to help the patient receive the information.
Sign-language interpreters facilitate communication between
people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can
hear. Sign-language interpreters must be fluent in English and
in Sign Language (SL), which combines signing, finger spelling,
and specific body language. Most sign-language interpreters
either interpret, aiding communication between English and SL,
or transliterate, facilitating communication between English and
contact – a form of signing that uses a more English language-
based word order. Some interpreters specialize in oral
interpreting for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and lip-
read instead of sign. Other specialties include tactile signing,
which is interpreting for people who are blind as well as deaf by
making manual signs into their hands, using cued speech, and
signing exact English.
Conference interpreters work at conferences that have non-
English-speaking attendees. The work is often in the field of
international business or diplomacy, although conference
interpreters can interpret for any organization that works with
speakers of foreign languages. Employers prefer high-level
interpreters who have the ability to translate from at least
two languages into one native language - for example, the
ability to interpret from Spanish and French into English. For
some positions this qualification is mandatory.
Guide or escort interpreters accompany either Ukrainian
visitors abroad or foreign visitors in the Ukraine to ensure
that they are able to communicate during their stay. These
specialists interpret on a variety of subjects, both on an
informal basis and on a professional level. Most of their
interpreting is consecutive, and work is generally shared by
two interpreters when the assignment requires more than an
8-hour day. Frequent travel, often for days or weeks at a
time, is common, and it is an aspect of the job that some find
particularly appealing.
Literary translators adapt written literature from one
language into another. They may translate any number of
documents, including journal articles, books, poetry, and
short stories. Literary translation is related to creative
writing; literary translators must create a new text in the
target language that reproduces the content and style of the
original. Whenever possible, literary translators work closely
with authors to best capture their intended meanings and
literary characteristics.
Localization translators completely adapt a product or
service for use in a different language and culture. The goal
of these specialists is to make it appear as though a product
originated in the country where it will be sold and supported.
At its earlier stages, this work dealt primarily with software
localization, but the specialty has expanded to include the
adaptation of Internet sites, marketing, publications, and
products and services in manufacturing and other business
sectors.
Not all good interpreters are good translators and vice versa.
Code of Ethics
 Accuracy: Interpreters should accurately and
completely transmit the meaning of a message without
omitting, deleting or editing, without embellishments or
explanations, and with awareness of any cultural
differences that might exist between the parties.
 Confidentiality: Interpreters must protect the privacy of
all knowledge and information gained during their course
of duty. They should protect the interest of the clients as
their own, and they shall not divulge any private
information. Interpreters also should not derive personal
profit or advantage from any private information that they
gained while acting in a professional capacity.
Code of Ethics cont.
 Unbiasedness/ Impartiality: Interpreters should remain a
neutral third party in an interaction and should not be on one
side or the other. This also includes eliminating one's own
opinions and values from interpreting session.
 Knowledge: Interpreters should excel in the target language
to be able to recreate the message with its original style and
meaning, and should have an excellent knowledge of the
source language and the subject area, as well as the culture of
both worlds. Interpreters must not accept a job for which they
are poorly qualified (i.e. lack of knowledge of a particular
subject).
 Education: Interpreters should continuously improve their
professional skills and expand their knowledge of both
languages including learning any special terminology
necessary to perform the assignments.
Code of Ethics cont.
 Professionalism: Interpreters should behave and
present themselves in a professional manner at all times
regardless of the familiarity or unfamiliarity with the
individuals involved. Interpreters should also not accept
assignments for which a conflict of interest may arise.
 Discretion: Interpreters should make sound judgments
in all situations so that no individual is put into jeopardy
nor is the professional appropriateness of the interpreter
is questioned. Interpreters must also not deceive a client
by words, deeds or omissions.
 Respect: Interpreters should treat all the parties
involved in communication in respectful and unprejudicial
manner including other colleagues - interpreters.
Q&A SESSION