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Interpreter and translator vs court interpreter

The differences between interpreter and translators and court interpreters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an interpreter and translator and a court interpreter. Additionally, a court interpreter has an average salary of $44,300, which is higher than the $43,870 average annual salary of an interpreter and translator.

The top three skills for an interpreter and translator include transcription, english language and security clearance. The most important skills for a court interpreter are vice versa, court cases, and court hearings.

Interpreter and translator vs court interpreter overview

Interpreter And TranslatorCourt Interpreter
Yearly salary$43,870$44,300
Hourly rate$21.09$21.30
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs3,7874,250
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does an interpreter and translator do?

An interpreter and translator are language experts responsible for translating one language to another for communicative purposes and context comprehension in the highest accuracy. Interpreters and translators must ensure that the translations keep the core message of the speaker or author's statement, including the proper interpretation of terminologies for the target audience. An interpreter and translator should also observe strict grammar rules and composition structures to maintain context integrity. They should have excellent communication skills, especially in the aspects of listening, writing, and speaking crucial for this kind of expertise.

What does a court interpreter do?

A court interpreter is responsible for translating one language to another in real-time in a courtroom setting. Court interpreters work closely with clients and law officers to relay accurate and reliable information from the actual context. Apart from having excellent communication skills, a court interpreter should also possess extensive knowledge of the legal industry to understand and interpret terms accordingly. They also translate legal documents for court reference. In some cases, a court interpreter may also read the statements beforehand to have a good grasp of courtroom procedures.

Interpreter and translator vs court interpreter salary

Interpreter and translators and court interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Interpreter And TranslatorCourt Interpreter
Average salary$43,870$44,300
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $70,000Between $27,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCCentral Islip, NY
Highest paying stateVirginiaNew York
Best paying companyAppleCity of Houston
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between interpreter and translator and court interpreter education

There are a few differences between an interpreter and translator and a court interpreter in terms of educational background:

Interpreter And TranslatorCourt Interpreter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorEnglishBusiness
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Interpreter and translator vs court interpreter demographics

Here are the differences between interpreter and translators' and court interpreters' demographics:

Interpreter And TranslatorCourt Interpreter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 51.8% Female, 48.2%Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 34.3% Asian, 14.2% White, 39.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 35.4% Asian, 14.1% White, 38.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between interpreter and translator and court interpreter duties and responsibilities

Interpreter and translator example responsibilities.

  • Coach and teach students to achieve grades at or beyond expect IEP goals.
  • Lead an international team of HUMINT collectors for the NATO mission in Bosnia where overt and covert collection protocols are observed.
  • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
  • Provide foreign language support services, including transcription, and translation / interpretation services in support of military operations.
  • Carry out assignments within the intelligence community in the capacity of Linguist/Interrogator in the Thai language.
  • Provide written translation of general and technical material into and from the Urdu language to English, and English into Urdu.
  • Show more

Court interpreter example responsibilities.

  • Coach and teach students to achieve grades at or beyond expect IEP goals.
  • Assist in court order psychiatric evaluations, DUI assessments, and prison interviews.
  • Follow all CyraCom policies and procedures relate to information confidentiality and interpreter ethics.
  • Provide professional interpretation services for individuals with limit English-language proficiency, typically in medical settings
  • Help to build collaboration with internal and international patients with medical staff, social organizations and insurance companies.
  • Interpret in court trials, depositions, administrative hearings and arbitrations.

Interpreter and translator vs court interpreter skills

Common interpreter and translator skills
  • Transcription, 13%
  • English Language, 12%
  • Security Clearance, 12%
  • Law Enforcement, 12%
  • Target Language, 10%
  • Vice Versa, 4%
Common court interpreter skills
  • Vice Versa, 39%
  • Court Cases, 18%
  • Court Hearings, 18%
  • Spanish Language, 12%
  • Immigration Court, 3%
  • Non-English, 2%

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