What does a foreign language interpreter do?
Foreign language interpreter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real foreign language interpreter resumes:
- Coach and teach students to achieve grades at or beyond expect IEP goals.
- Translate patent's documentation from doctors who fill out prescription and directions in Tamil and Hindi.
- Help to build collaboration with internal and international patients with medical staff, social organizations and insurance companies.
- Create education and promotional materials relate to Latino health and wellness.
Foreign language interpreter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Foreign Language Interpreters are proficient in Target Language, Foreign Language, and Medical Terminology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Cultural sensitivity, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Foreign Language Interpreters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Target Language, 28%
Translate written documents from source language into target language accurately and completely following international translation rules and regulations.
- Foreign Language, 27%
Provide foreign language oral interpreting, legal written document translation for attorneys.
- Medical Terminology, 23%
Be aware, and know medical terminology.
- Facilitate Communication, 11%
Facilitate communication between Spanish-speaking parents/guardians and faculty/administrators.
- Interpretation Services, 6%
Provide translation and interpretation services to needy Chinese immigrant families with students currently enrolled in CCSD.
- Court Proceedings, 2%
Provide an accurate, impartial interpretation of court proceedings.
Most foreign language interpreters use their skills in "target language," "foreign language," and "medical terminology" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential foreign language interpreter responsibilities here:
Business skills. The most essential soft skill for a foreign language interpreter to carry out their responsibilities is business skills. This skill is important for the role because "self-employed interpreters and translators must be able to manage their finances." Additionally, a foreign language interpreter resume shows how their duties depend on business skills: "translated various kinds of official documents such as product specification and business protocol from chinese to english and vice versa"
Cultural sensitivity. Many foreign language interpreter duties rely on cultural sensitivity. "interpreters and translators must be aware of expectations among the people for whom they are helping to facilitate communication," so a foreign language interpreter will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways foreign language interpreter responsibilities rely on cultural sensitivity: "provide culturally-sensitive somali, may-may, swahili, oromo and english interpretation"
Dexterity. This is an important skill for foreign language interpreters to perform their duties. For an example of how foreign language interpreter responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "sign language interpreters must be able to make quick and coordinated hand, finger, and arm movements when interpreting." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a foreign language interpreter: "sign language interperter with both hands with one deaf girl what each teachers says in the each classrooms".
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what foreign language interpreters do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to foreign language interpreter responsibilities because "interpreters and translators must be able to put clients and others at ease." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical foreign language interpreter tasks: "focused on middle-elementary students' language and communication skills in building positive interpersonal relationships. "
Listening skills. Another crucial skill for a foreign language interpreter to carry out their responsibilities is "listening skills." A big part of what foreign language interpreters relies on this skill, since "interpreters must pay attention when interpreting for audiences to ensure that they hear and interpret correctly." How this skill relates to foreign language interpreter duties can be seen in an example from a foreign language interpreter resume snippet: "make sure all information is probably communicated skills used short term memory, typing and customer service"
The three companies that hire the most foreign language interpreters are:
- LTC Language Solutions4 foreign language interpreters jobs
- Catholic Charities of Arizona
4 foreign language interpreters jobs
- Northside Hospital3 foreign language interpreters jobs
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Compare different foreign language interpreters
Foreign language interpreter vs. Technical translator
Technical Translation is the act of translating materials in a specific technical or scientific subject domain. A Technical Translator understands the nitty-gritty of the subject matter and knows the specialized terms in that field in both the source and secondary languages. This individual works to produce translations and interpretations of either written or oral communications of one language to another for a specific purpose or industry. As a Technical Translator, your duties may include interpreting conferences and emails in an organization.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, foreign language interpreter responsibilities require skills like "target language," "foreign language," "medical terminology," and "facilitate communication." Meanwhile a typical technical translator has skills in areas such as "technical translation," "technical manuals," "proofreading," and "user interface." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Technical translators tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $76,753. In contrast, foreign language interpreters make the biggest average salary, $56,616, in the automotive industry.technical translators tend to reach higher levels of education than foreign language interpreters. In fact, technical translators are 6.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Foreign language interpreter vs. Arabic translator
A translator is an expert of one or multiple languages, responsible for transcribing communication between parties for easy comprehension. Translators often work with written documents, relaying the core context and original message from the source. They should also be able to translate jargon, slang, cultural expressions, and related technical terms in an understandable format, depending on the level of the target audience. A translator must be highly fluent with the language to render ideas accurately, as well as have excellent time-management skills to meet project deadlines.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, foreign language interpreter responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "foreign language," "medical terminology," "facilitate communication," and "court proceedings." Meanwhile, an arabic translator has duties that require skills in areas such as "vice versa," "english language," "transcription," and "arabic language." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Arabic translators earn similar levels of education than foreign language interpreters in general. They're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Foreign language interpreter vs. Translator
A freelance translator is an independent contractor specializing in translating audio or written materials into a particular language. They primarily communicate with clients to identify their needs and preferences, including project specifications such as deadlines and format. Being a freelance translator means that they can work remotely at their preferred schedule, most of the time, working from home. They are not employed under a company, which is why most freelance translators prepare their own portfolios and create client bases through websites and other platforms.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, foreign language interpreters are more likely to have skills like "foreign language," "facilitate communication," "court proceedings," and "telephone calls." But a translator is more likely to have skills like "vice versa," "web pages," "english-language," and "subtitles."
Translators make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $58,098. On the other hand, foreign language interpreters are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $56,616.Most translators achieve a higher degree level compared to foreign language interpreters. For example, they're 5.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Foreign language interpreter vs. Freelance translator
Types of foreign language interpreter
Updated January 8, 2025
