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This question is about what an interpreter does.
Interpreter vs. Translator
An interpreter translates spoken language orally, while a translator translates written language.
Interpreters translate oral language in real-time without using dictionaries or other reference materials. They must possess expert listening skills and a command of knowledge about the languages they translate. Interpreters must also have excellent public speaking skills and be able to instantly translate idioms, colloquialisms, and other cultural-specific references.
Translators translate the written word of another language. They need to be able to understand the source language and the culture from which the text comes. They use a library of dictionaries and reference materials to translate clearly and accurately into a target language.
Here are the key differences between an interpreter and a translator:
| An interpreter translates spoken words orally. | A translator translates the text of another language. |
| An interpreter translates a speaker's words in real-time. | A translator has a set amount of time to translate a specific text. |
| Interpreters must have excellent public speaking and listening skills, and be able to instantly translate idioms, colloquialisms, and other cultural-specific references. | A translator must have a command of the language and its culture to translate correctly, and must also have good research skills and reference materials. |
| Interpreters have an average salary of $53,330 per year. | Translators have an average salary of $52,330 per year. |
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