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Interpreter and translator vs language translator

The differences between interpreter and translators and language translators 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 language translator. Additionally, a language translator has an average salary of $45,490, 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 language translator are proofreading, foreign language, and target language.

Interpreter and translator vs language translator overview

Interpreter And TranslatorLanguage Translator
Yearly salary$43,870$45,490
Hourly rate$21.09$21.87
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs3,78721,450
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
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 language translator do?

Language translators are linguistic professionals who are responsible for converting information from one language to another to help people read the translation based on the original source. These translators must use a computer to translate the original language into their native language. They can work for software development companies as under contract independent foreign language translators. They must utilize target language to translate and transcribe critical information and performing immediate data analysis. Language translators must also provide interpretations for meetings, conferences, and administrative hearings for any sponsored functions.

Interpreter and translator vs language translator salary

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

Interpreter And TranslatorLanguage Translator
Average salary$43,870$45,490
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $70,000Between $29,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVirginiaOregon
Best paying companyAppleBloomberg
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between interpreter and translator and language translator education

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

Interpreter And TranslatorLanguage Translator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Interpreter and translator vs language translator demographics

Here are the differences between interpreter and translators' and language translators' demographics:

Interpreter And TranslatorLanguage Translator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 51.8% Female, 48.2%Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6%
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, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 31.5% Asian, 18.0% White, 38.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between interpreter and translator and language translator 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.
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Language translator example responsibilities.

  • Lead an international team of HUMINT collectors for the NATO mission in Bosnia where overt and covert collection protocols are observed.
  • Provide written translations from Dari and Pashto, and some Urdu, into English.
  • Consult employees on proper multicultural etiquette while connecting with Thai, Thai Yai, and Burmese sex workers.
  • Conduct interviews for a study on the male sex work industry and translate the answers from Thai to English.
  • Train soldiers to perform in a combat environment including tactical navigation, military communications, and several types of weapons.
  • Conduct monitoring, translating, transcribing, interpreting, perform translation/transcription, quality control and perform validating services.

Interpreter and translator vs language translator skills

Common interpreter and translator skills
  • Transcription, 13%
  • English Language, 12%
  • Security Clearance, 12%
  • Law Enforcement, 12%
  • Target Language, 10%
  • Vice Versa, 4%
Common language translator skills
  • Proofreading, 16%
  • Foreign Language, 15%
  • Target Language, 12%
  • Haitian Creole, 10%
  • Thai, 9%
  • Translation Services, 8%

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