Phrases like “lost in translation” and “up for interpretation” are very widely used, sometimes interchangeably – which is incorrect, of course. The premise is the same for both, however. The underlying principles are language and communication. There are many languages in the world, whether you attribute this to diverse and widespread civilizations or the tower of Babel is entirely a personal choice. The fact of the matter still remains that inter-communication is a necessity, whether there are language barriers or not. Certain regions will have widely-used or common languages that a vast majority of people understand and deem standard, but still, moving away from said regions leads back to the barrier.
Need for Translation and Interpretation
In recent years, language barriers have somewhat fallen with more people traveling the world to pick up on new languages and associated culture. More schools impose the need for learning more than the regional languages to make people more international. The Internet has further shrunk the world, reducing the distance between people from the length of an ocean to the length of one’s online credentials; a true online village. But even with all this, the need for both translation and interpretation has not dwindled but has, in fact, become more useful than ever.
There is a Difference Between Translation and Interpretation!
Translation and interpretation are two very closely related linguistic principles, explaining why most people are unsure about any and all differences. The fact is that a translator and an interpreter, though thought to be in the same line of work, are very different personnel. There are vast differences examined between the two that it is very rare to have one do both, unless with a very deeply-rooted understanding of a language and its culture. By definition, Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Interpreting, on the other hand, is defined as a translational activity in which one produces a first and final translation on the basis of a one-time exposure to an expression in a source language. Therein lies the main and most commonly-known difference, while translation involves text, interpretation applies to spoken words.
Tech in Translation
Technology has greatly propelled forward strides in the translation division. Artificial Intelligence has greatly enhanced the translation process. Taking the case of Google as an example, their Translate application is greatly capable of translation involving very many languages and is even capable of translating text captured in images. This highlights another difference between interpreters and translators. The latter tend to use technology aides in their translation work. Google Translate aside, translators may convert the source material to a file format that is found easy to use or work with and applying a Translation Memory to the same. This normally does an automatic translation for anything that the tool has translated previously before any untranslated content receives manual treatment from the translator.
Translation and Culture
While technology is a factor not to be ignored, translators traditionally must possess the ability to write well in the target language. This combined with linguistic and cultural skills makes up a decent translator. It is required of such a translator that they understand not only the source language but the cultural background of the region or country where the source content originates from. Dictionaries and other reference material then help in translating the source content both clearly and accurately to the desired language.
The Translation Process
Translation as a process takes time and many revisions. Translators are required to be extremely accurate, capturing the material as is with the form and style intact. It involves reading the source material, understanding it, writing, rewriting, and re-reading while in the target language to ensure that the meaning in the source text and the target text are identical. Final results are normally very articulate and well-written texts as a result of rather exhaustive research and consultation.
Interpretation
Interpretation is quite simply the act of paraphrasing. One listens to speech in one language and very quickly grasps the context of what is being said before paraphrasing his understanding of the closest thing the speaker was trying to convey in another target language. With this, it becomes very apparent that for one to be an interpreter, one has to have a very quick and sharp mind, and have a vast understanding of the target language. Unlike translation, technology does not aid interpretation and where it is involved, it becomes more an issue of replacing a human interpreter rather than aiding him.
Characteristics of a good interpreter include knowledge of the subject matter being interpreted and the ability to clearly express one’s thoughts in multiple languages. A good interpreter must also have a good knowledge of the cultures in question, as well as extensive vocabulary.
Interpretation is of different types:
1. Simultaneous: Also known as conference interpreting, it involves listening to, understanding, and speaking out the source statements in another language in an instant and as the speaker is still speaking. Popular in large conferences, the interpreter most commonly receives input via a headset and speaks instantaneously to a microphone as the speaker in the headset speaks on. The interpreter’s speech is then routed to earpieces of the relevant people, that is, those who understand the target language.
2. Consecutive: More commonly used in smaller gatherings where time is not a key factor, it involves an interpreter listening to a number of speech items from a speaker and then gives output for all statements in the target language.
3. Whispering: The most rudimentary type of interpretation. Where technical equipment is not needed or cannot be used, the source speaker sits next to the interpreter and simply whispers in their ear whatever it is needs to be translated. This is often suitable for very small gatherings.
Different, Yet Similar
As you have already gathered, interpretation is far more instantaneous than translation, with there being no chances to overthink or carefully choose words. It is as on-the-spot as it gets, especially for simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. For the former, the pace of speech is carried over as well. While their command of a language may be impressive, translators and interpreters would normally not fancy stepping into each other’s shoes as the processes differ greatly. Both professionals are committed to a code of ethics, ensuring that they only convey actual translations, accurately and impartially.
Rodrigo Ortiz-Monasterio - the author - is a professional Spanish Translator and Spanish Copywriter with over 25 years of experience in the marketing, advertising, business and corporate communications fields.
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Rodrigo Ortiz-Monasterio - the author - is a professional Spanish Translator and Spanish Copywriter with over 25 years of experience in the marketing, advertising, business and corporate communications fields.
