proposta de traballo "difference between translation and interpreting"

Translators have to write texts that accurately convey the message and content of the original document and are grammatical and readable in the target language.

A good translation should read like a document in its own right. In many cases, for example legislation, the translation is 'authentic', which means it has the same legal force as the original version.

Faithful translations and interpretation reflect both the intention of the author or speaker and the style and register of the language used.

Interpreters provide spoken versions that convey, in another language, the message and intentions of the original speaker.

Unlike translators, interpreters are seen by their customers. They make face-to-face communication possible. Interpreters speak in the first person and become the voice of the speaker. They express the speaker's ideas and convictions with the same intensity and same shades of meaning, and without ever adding their own views or comments.

Both interpreters and translators must understand all the shades of meaning of the source language, so that they can reproduce it as faithfully and naturally as possible in the target language. This also requires excellent drafting skills and the ability to think on your feet!

Skills needed by professional translator and conference interpreters

The ability to understand is essential for both translation and interpreting. You can't express the content of a speech or text clearly unless you have understood it in the first place. So translators and interpreters must have a thorough knowledge of the source language, a well-developed ability to analyse and some knowledge of the subject-matter.

But understanding is not enough. Interpreters and translators must be able to re-express this information accurately and eloquently so it can be used by their target audience.

They must know how to find the right register for a given situation, for a document (written) or speech (oral).

Translators' skills

Excellent drafting skills, in order to produce texts that don't sound like translations.

Thoroughness and accuracy, so that they remain true to the spirit of the original and all the information it contains. Specialised translation is impossible without terminology and document research and liaison with specialists in the field.

Translators must have an enquiring mind, a desire to learn and a sense of initiative. Translators often have to work under pressure (to short deadlines), so they must be adaptable and able to get their priorities right and organise their work.

Freelances must also have the ability to market and manage their business.

Increasingly, translators must be computer-literate and able to use a range of software applications to optimise their work.

Interpreters' skills

Conference interpreters must be effective communicators, at least as spellbinding as the speakers.

Conference interpreters must keep rigorously up to date with world affairs and the areas in which they work. Increasingly, interpreters must be computer-literate and able to use a wide range of research tools. When the microphone is on, there is no time to look things up in dictionaries and encyclopaedias: the interpreter has to be on the ball.

Interpreters work without a safety net and must possess the gifts of intuition and flexibility, coupled with rapid reactions that enable them to tackle any subject by any speaker without being thrown.

Interpreters must possess diplomatic skills and be sensitive to the context and the situation in which they're speaking if they are to convey the speaker's intention correctly.

extract from  Translation and interpreting: Languages in action European Commission  (2009), pp. 6-7