TEDX Monterey Shows Us All How It’s Done
Important Distinction Between Translation and Interpretation
The talk started with the important distinction between translation and interpretation being made – that is, that translation is for written documents and interpretation is for spoken language. A fascinating demonstration of consecutive interpretation followed, where the presenter’s Spanish was translated into English via the interpreter’s notes plus memory of what was said.
More Than Words
This brings up the important point of the TED talk, and something all professional translators and interpreters wish everyone knew: translating or interpreting is not just about exchanging words in one language for words in another language. If it were that simple, anyone with a bilingual dictionary would be an instant translator or interpreter.
Translator and Interpreter Jobs Require Years of Professional Training
Instead, translator and interpreter jobs require not only perfect bilingualism, but normally a background in the subject matter the interpreter or translator specializes in. In other words, a legal translator might often be a trained lawyer or paralegal as well as being trained in translation and bilingual. The result is that the professional understands the ideas behind the words being translated, and can convey these ideas fluently in the target language.
Greater Awareness Due to Machine Translation and Interpretation
One outcome of the new machine translation and interpretation software is a greater awareness of the difficulty of doing a professional job. After 15 years of research, Microsoft released Skype’s simultaneous interpretation device the other day, and it was received with excitement for the possibilities of the future, but, as far as the level of interpretation, the general consensus was that it might work for the most casual conversations. That’s after 15 years of dedicated research.
We’re moving to an age where more and more people feel the need to communicate with people from around the world. That more and more businesses are multinational goes without saying.
And this requires solid translation and interpretation. Interpreter jobs are on the upswing, along with translation jobs. We’re entering an age where not providing good quality translations of your human resources manuals, your technical manuals, your marketing materials in more than one language means you’re living in the past.
Curious About What Professional Translation and Interpretation Looks Like?
We are happy to give free quotes on our work, and also happy to help you understand more fully what solid, professional translation looks like.
Contact us today and we’ll take the time to answer any questions you have about professional translation with Language Tran.