WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES

BETWEEN TRANSLATION AND

INTERPRETATION?

“Most people think that translation and interpretation are the

same thing, and that the mere knowledge of a language
implies the ability to go from one language to another.
Translation implies carefully analyzing the message given
within the context of a particular linguistic code and
transferring this message into another written linguistic code.
Interpretation, on the other hand, means doing the same but
orally and simultaneously.”

In general, messages to be translated are written and translated

version are also written. Messages to be interpreted are generally
transmitted orally and the interpretations are rendered orally. This
difference in the vehicle of original message transmission
implicates a difference in the time that will be available for
comprehending the original message and the time available for
rendering the message into another language. The time factor in
turn affects the different skills and strategies that will be called
upon.

There are four basic types of translation and interpretation:

1. Prepared translation
2. Sight translation
3. Consecutive interpretation
4. Simultaneous interpretation

TRANSLATION
As discussed in the previous section, translation involves more
than a word-for-word version of a text in another language. As well
as problems of word meaning, word order, sentences structure and
style across cultures, there is the problem of understanding the
varied subject areas involved in the messages to be translated.

“A good way to close this knowledge gap is to study the specific

meaning of a word within a given context. The purpose of our
classes in terminology is learning ways by which we can
improve our supply of terms by establishing word systems
 according to alphabetical order, idea order, and idiomatic
usage.”

Students are discouraged from translating too literally; the key is

to translate approximately, while conveying the meaning in the
originating culture’s terms. A study of advertisements affords good
practice in becoming aware of the cultural aspects. As well as
conveying the meaning in the originating culture’s terms the
translator / interpreter must also be aware of the culture of the
audience.

Prepared Translation

Prepared translations are prepared outside of class and

constructively criticized by both students and teachers.

Sight Translation

The major difference between sight translation and prepared

translation is speed of response.

“It might interest you to note that there is a no man’s land

between translation and interpretation. This we call sight
translation. Though you usually do not have time to read the
complete text before you start, slowly but surely, you learn to
read ahead while translating. The reason both translators and
interpreters learn this is that translators have to do a lot of
sight translation in their professional life, and interpreters not
only use it, but the techniques learned also provide excellent
preparation for what awaits them in simultaneous.”

 Practise sight translation.

We all want success. We want to be successful and feel

successful. We chase money, fame, power, education,
relationships and a thousand other things without ever
stopping to ask one essential question: What, actually, is
success?

Few people pause to consider what it truly means to achieve

success in their own lives. As Jim Rohn said, “If you don’t
design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone
 else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not
much.”

INTERPRETATION
Some basic strategies underlying development of interpretive skills
may have eluded us amidst the haste to introduce courses in
interpretation and translation, and our failure to distinguish one
from the other.

The particular skills involved are distinct from and in addition to

the skill of code switching required in the translation and
interpretation of one language into another. For example, special
skills involve listening, memory, note - taking, summarizing and
paraphrasing. It is important to underscore the point that a
considerable amount of work is done to develop these underlying
processes. Before students actually practice interpreting from one
language to another, these prerequisite skills are practiced and
mastered within the dominant language, i.e. English. Therefore,
the introductory courses on interpretation are in English.

Consecutive Interpretation
“(Consecutive interpretation) is the process of listening to a
speech or lecture in one language and then at a certain
moment, transcribing and summarizing it orally, in another
language. The time lapse between the speech and your
interpretation varies.”

The training for developing the skills of consecutive

interpretation includes:

1. Learning to repeat what a speaker has said, first in one’s

dominant language;
2. Memory training, e.g. practice in increasing retention of
clusters of words and numbers;
3. Learning to take accurate notes;
 4. Learning to summarize;
5. Learning to paraphrase;
6. Learning to simplify;
7. Learning to clarify;
8. Learning to express with confidence and naturalness.

Simultaneous Interpretation
“By now you must be wondering what simultaneous is.
Picture yourself in a ‘2x4’ booth, a pair of headphones on, and
without prior notice, a voice comes through. Immediately you
have to simultaneously render what is said into another
language. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? As a matter of fact,
the first time you try it, your natural impulse may be to tear
off the headsets and walk out. However, in no time at all, the
process somehow becomes automatic, you pick up
momentum, and your interpretation takes on a smoother
quality. Believe it or not, it is fascinating, and, also very
rewarding.”

Simultaneous interpretation involves the immediate,

simultaneous interpretation of what is being said. The
training for developing this skill includes all the aforementioned
strategies, and specifically calls upon the ability to paraphrase.
If a specific word is not known, another must instantly be supplied.
Hence, training includes (i) a study of synonyms; (ii) exercises in
paraphrasing; (iii) exercises which expose the student to different
voices, accents, and speeds.

OVERVIEW
In summary, it becomes increasingly clear that translation and
interpretation are complex skills. It would be folly to assume
that proficiency in the language to be used is a sufficient
qualification; indeed, proficiency is only a prerequisite for initial
training.

While translation and interpretation share many underlying

processes, they also require highly specialized and disciplined
training, particular to each.
Because of the specialized and comprehensive skills required in
translation and interpretation, mastery of the underlying processes
in one own language is essential before translating or interpreting
into a different language.

As well as specialized skills, both translation and

interpretation upon vast areas of general knowledge and the
ability to switch language codes. In addition to solving the
problems of structural differences, code switching becomes
particularly complex in identifying the varied meanings of words in
different contexts, understanding the variety of ways in which
cultural meanings are conveyed, and in bridging the gap between
conceptual differences across cultures. Complete solutions to
problems of translation and interpretation are not available in
books. Solutions require individual perseverance as divergent
thinking as well as a joint effort among all concerned.

(Adapted from Gail Robinson Dept. of Education, Sydney,

1977)

LOOKING BACK

Translation and Interpretation

Fill in the spaces with Interpretation, Translation, Linguistic

code, Orally, Simultaneously, Written.

________________ implies carefully analyzing the message given

within the context of a particular ________________ and transferring
this message into another ________________ linguistic code.
________________, on the other hand, means doing the same but
________________ and ________________.

Types of Translation and Interpretation

Match the four types in column A with the descriptions in

column B.

A B

1. Prepared translation a. includes an immediate, oral rendition

 based on a written text.

2. Sight translation b. is the process of listening to a speech

or lecture in one language and at a
certain moment, transcribing and
summarizing it orally, in another
language. The time lapse between the
speech and your interpretation
varies.

3. Consecutive c. involves the preparation of a

interpretation translation outside of class and it is
then constructively criticized by both
students and teacher.

4. Simultaneous d. involves the immediate, simultaneous

interpretation interpretation of what is being said
into another language.