What is the difference between interpreting and translating?
Interpreting is the conversion of speech (spoken language) into a different language. Translation is conversion of text (written language) from one language into another. However, many people use these terms interchangeably. For example: “The interpreter will translate the document out loud to the witness.” The correct term of art here would be “sight translation” because the interpreter is translating a written text by reading it and speaking–rather than writing–the translation. A written text is much denser than a spoken utterance. In cases where a speaker is reading from a prepared speech, interpretation may be rendered more accurately by utilizing sight translation as opposed to interpretation of the spoken words.
