What is the difference between translation and interpreting?

Translation or interpreting? That is the question. This distinction is well known in translation world, but not many non-translators are actually aware of it. Sometimes a client calls and says he or she needs translation during a conference. Sounds familiar?

Translation, as used in translation studies, is an umbrella term for all kinds of activities and processes in which one renders the message in one language into another language. More specifically, however, translation implies working with written texts whereas interpreting means rendering the oral message into another language.

So in other words, translators work with written words – documents, books, manuals, reports etc. whereas interpreters deal with oral words – speeches, presentations, meetings etc.

Of course, these two different jobs require totally different skills. A good translator seeks the exact meaning of words, precision and tries to render the meaning of the whole sentence in a nice way. Interpreter, on the other hand, focuses on a general message – he or she has to act fast so the final utterance may be not so perfect but it has to preserve all information contained in the speech

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Hanna Gembus

Hanna Gembus is a professional Polish English and Polish German translator and communication specialist based in the United Kingdom providing translation, content, interpreting and market research services to small, medium-sized and large companies and organisations. She specialises in business, marketing and e-commerce, using linguistic and cultural knowledge to help both start-ups and established companies improve their presence on the market and increase sales. http://langoa.eu