Translation vs Interpretation

For some reason, most lay people refer to both translation and interpretation as "translation." Although translation and interpretation share the common goal of taking information that is available in one language and converting it to another, they are in fact two separate processes. So what is the difference between translation and interpretation? It's very simple:

Translation is always written - it involves taking a written text (such as a book or an article) and translating it in writing into the target language.

While interpretation is oral - it refers to listening to something spoken (a speech or phone conversation) and interpreting it orally into the target language. (Incidentally, those who facilitate communicate between hearing persons and deaf/hard-of-hearing persons are also known as interpreters).

So you can see that the main difference is in how the information is presented - orally as interpretation and written as translation. This might seem like a subtle distinction, but if you consider your own language skills, the odds are that your ability to read/write and listen/speak are not identical - you are probably more skilled at one skill or the other. So translators are excellent writers, while interpreters have superior oral communication abilities. It should be mentioned that spoken language is somewhat different from written, which adds a further dimension to the distinction. Then there's the fact that translators work alone to produce translation, while interpreters work with two or more people/groups to provide an interpretation on the spot during negotiations, conferences, workshops, phone conversations, etc.

Types of Translation:

Machine translation

Also known as automatic translation, this is any translation that is done without human intervention, using software, hand-held translators, online translators such as Babelfish, etc. Machine translation is extremely limited in quality and usefulness.

Machine-assisted translation

Translation that is done with a machine translator and a human being working together. The person could decide which option makes sense in the context. This type is considerably better than pure machine translation, and some argue that it is more effective than human-only translation.

Screen translation

Translation of movies and television programs, including subtitling (where the translation is typed along the bottom of the screen) and dubbing (where the voices of native speakers of the target language are heard in place of the original actors).

Sight translation

Document in the source language is explained orally in the target language. This task is performed by interpreters when an article in the source language is not provided with a translation (such as a memo handed out at a meeting).

Localization translation

Adaptation of software or other products to a different culture. Localization includes translation of documents, dialog boxes, etc., as well as linguistic and cultural changes to make the product appropriate to the target country.