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.
Interpreter and translator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real interpreter and translator resumes:
- 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.
- Listen carefully to conversations and provide verbatim interpretation in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
- Review and proofread English-language text.
- Select and translate articles for English-language site.
- Proofread, edit, and revise translate materials.
- Act as translator for creole and French speaking patients.
- help hr or supervisor to translate english or spanish for employees
- Translate credit rating publications to and from Japanese using TRADOS.
- Translate Pashto news, articles, and essays into English.
- Draft and disseminate EGRAM/SPOT end product reporting of CENTCOM targets.
Interpreter and translator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Interpreter And Translators are proficient in Transcription, English Language, and Security Clearance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Concentration, and Cultural sensitivity.
We break down the percentage of Interpreter And Translators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Transcription, 13%
Utilized automated transcription tools and databases for rapid analysis and dissemination of actionable intelligence in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- English Language, 12%
Read foreign language communications and perform immediate written/verbal translations as well as written/verbal summaries into English language.
- Security Clearance, 12%
Granted security clearance after a rigorous background check in order to work with confidential medical and legal governmental documents.
- Law Enforcement, 12%
Displayed linguistic skills to support law enforcement and intelligence analysis efforts for the Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Target Language, 10%
Repeat the original message accurately and completely in target language without adding, omitting or changing key information or intended meaning.
- Vice Versa, 4%
Translate or interpret both from English and Japanese into Mongolian and vice versa2.
"transcription," "english language," and "security clearance" are among the most common skills that interpreter and translators use at work. You can find even more interpreter and translator responsibilities below, including:
Business skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an interpreter and translator to have is business skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "self-employed interpreters and translators must be able to manage their finances." Interpreter and translators often use business skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed simultaneous interpretation for a group of 20 shanghai businesspeople interested in investment in vermont. "
Concentration. Another essential skill to perform interpreter and translator duties is concentration. Interpreter and translators responsibilities require that "interpreters and translators must be able to focus while others are speaking or moving around them." Interpreter and translators also use concentration in their role according to a real resume snippet: "utilized language skills to teach arabic, with a concentration on idioms and nuances of words and expression. "
Cultural sensitivity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of interpreter and translators is cultural sensitivity. This skill is critical to many everyday interpreter and translator duties, as "interpreters and translators must be aware of expectations among the people for whom they are helping to facilitate communication." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "interpreted, translated and advised on cultural affairs of afghanistan s affairs to the us armed forces and dod personals. "
Dexterity. interpreter and translator responsibilities often require "dexterity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "sign language interpreters must be able to make quick and coordinated hand, finger, and arm movements when interpreting." This resume example shows what interpreter and translators do with dexterity on a typical day: "provided hands on interpretations and translations from somali to english for department of the army personnel. "
Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for interpreter and translator responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of interpreter and translators all the time, as "interpreters and translators must be able to put clients and others at ease." An excerpt from a real interpreter and translator resume shows how this skill is central to what an interpreter and translator does: "translate sentences spoken in english into tigrigna and vice versa, and have been recognized for superb communication and interpersonal skills. "
Listening skills. Lastly, "listening skills" is an important element of what an interpreter and translator does. Interpreter and translator responsibilities require this skill because "interpreters must pay attention when interpreting for audiences to ensure that they hear and interpret correctly." This resume example highlights how interpreter and translator duties rely on this skill: "worked with the dea listened to spanish recordings and translated into english. "
The three companies that hire the most interpreter and translators are:
- Leidos79 interpreter and translators jobs
- Arrow Security43 interpreter and translators jobs
- Metlang43 interpreter and translators jobs
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Compare different interpreter and translators
Interpreter and translator vs. Cryptologic linguist
Cryptologic linguists are lingual professionals who are responsible for using signals equipment to identify and analyze foreign communications. These linguists must assist intelligence community analysts in translating open source and sensitive materials as well as producing comprehensive reports about the daily activities of their enemies. They are required to supervise a team of other linguistic professionals to provide transcriptions and analysis from foreign communications. Cryptologic linguists must also identify the languages spoken at target geographic areas of interest.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an interpreter and translator are more likely to require skills like "english language," "security clearance," "law enforcement," and "vice versa." On the other hand, a job as a cryptologic linguist requires skills like "tip," "national security," "signals intelligence," and "language training." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Cryptologic linguists tend to reach lower levels of education than interpreter and translators. In fact, cryptologic linguists are 8.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Interpreter and translator vs. Arabic linguist
Arabic linguists are experts who interpret and translate research or business documents that are written in the Arab language or its dialects. These linguists are required to advise peers and superiors about the Arabic language and culture while providing inputs of written reports developed from target materials utilizing the specific Arabic language. They must conduct simultaneous interpretations of conversations during diplomatic meetings and conferences. Arabic linguists must also create and manage Arabic language training for the newly hired linguists.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real interpreter and translator resumes. While interpreter and translator responsibilities can utilize skills like "security clearance," "law enforcement," "source language," and "farsi," arabic linguists use skills like "cultural knowledge," "hard copy," "msa," and "open source."
In general, arabic linguists achieve similar levels of education than interpreter and translators. They're 3.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Interpreter and translator vs. Sign language interpreter
A sign language interpreter specializes in bridging the communication gap for people with hearing or speaking difficulties using American Sign Language (ASL) and other sign languages. Interpreters may work for a company or independently; they may also interpret for one-on-one communication or public engagements. The responsibilities of a sign language interpreter depend on the situation or environment. Besides helping clients convey and receive messages, they may also build rapport with clients to make them feel at ease, manage schedules, and perform calls.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from interpreter and translator resumes include skills like "transcription," "security clearance," "source language," and "dod," whereas a sign language interpreter is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "asl," "registry," and "patients. "
Sign language interpreters earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $56,016. Comparatively, interpreter and translators have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $62,595.When it comes to education, sign language interpreters tend to earn lower degree levels compared to interpreter and translators. In fact, they're 6.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Interpreter and translator vs. Educational interpreter
An educational interpreter specializes in providing communication assistance to students with hearing problems or difficulty in understanding the language. It is their duty to develop strategies to convey lessons through various materials and efforts, interpret messages from the speaker and receiver, and monitoring the student's progress. They may also produce progress reports, coordinating with teachers and parents at all times. Furthermore, an educational interpreter must build a positive relationship with the student, helping them feel comfortable as they adjust to the classroom environment.
Types of interpreter and translator
Updated January 8, 2025
