What’s the difference between translation and interpreting?

Are you looking for language services but aren’t sure whether you need translation, interpreting or both? We’re here to help with our short guide to the three main differences between these two very different practices. Once you’re sure which service is for you, make sure you secure the perfect linguist or professional team for your needs.

Why the mix up?

The confusion arises largely because “translation” is the generic term for transferring a message from one language to another. This means that, while translation can’t be referred to as interpreting, interpreting is often used synonymously with “translation”. Despite this umbrella term, the two are very different in practice:

1. It’s all about format

The main difference between translation and interpreting is that translation concerns written texts and interpreting is all about spoken language. If you need to have a brochure translated into Japanese, you need a translator; if you’re looking for someone to help you understand your Chinese supplier when you go over for a visit, you need an interpreter.

But what if you’re planning a remote business meeting and need an interpreter? in-person interpreting and remote interpreting are the perfect solution for long-distance, cross-culture communication.

2. Timing is everything

Even though translators sometimes find themselves up against tight deadlines, they often have a lot of time to research and polish their translations – and that’s without the second-stage revision. Translation aims for accuracy above all.

Interpreters, on the other hand, don’t have the luxury of time to research or rephrase their work. And while interpreters prioritise accuracy too, they also need to make sure all the relevant information is being communicated in the short time available. This often means prioritising the key information and leaving out or paraphrasing the unimportant parts.

3. Direction of translation

We highly recommend only using native speakers for written translation – click here to find out why. By using a linguist who’s translating into their native language, you can guarantee a quality product that’s suited to the target market and reads beautifully.

When it comes to interpreters, however, it’s the norm to translate into and out of your native tongue. This means one linguist can mediate between the two languages at play, so they’re typically extremely proficient in at least one other language.

To sum up

Interpreting deals with spoken translation and translation with written texts. If you’re breaking out into new markets or already operate internationally, chances are you’ll need both of these core services. Now, if it’s a translator you need, make sure you have native speaker linguist who’s an expert in your field to produce on-brand, target-market-focused content for your company. Alternatively, if you require interpreting, your priority is to find a highly skilled interpreter who knows your industry to represent your interests in business discussions. Why not let us help you with that?