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Translating
& Interpreting
Today’s
everyday life is characterised by translation and interpreting
services. Wherever there is an interview shown on the television
or on an operating manual accompanying a technical device,
a press conference going on during a political event or
a product description used as an advertising means –
there is a great possibility that a translator or an interpreter
is involved.
Translation
and interpreting – in colloquial language some people
tend to make no difference between these two expressions.
To be precise, there is a difference:
- Translation
means to transfer a written text in written form into
another language.
- Interpreting
means to transfer an oral text in oral form into another
language in an actual situation.
Translators
and Interpreters
Not
everyone calls himself/herself as a translator or an interpreter
is qualified for this profession. The ability of creating
clear and understandable texts is an art that is not as easy
as it looks.
A translator or
interpreter is a mediator between different languages and
cultures. As a specialist, he/she totally accepts responsibility
for his/her service. In general, good language skills are
imperative – yet not the sole requirement. There are
some other, albeit not less important requirements for working
successfully as a translator or interpreter:
- Excellent command
of the native language.
- Active, and
or passive command of one or more foreign languages.
- Knowledge of
the cultural background(s).
- Specialized
knowledge and the ability to broaden it quickly by adequate
research methods if needed.
- Profound tools
in computer-aided tools.
- Methodic and
theoretic knowledge of translation problems and their solutions,
Professional Training
Usually, translators
and interpreters are trained at universities. Translators
acquire the capability to compose a written text so that it
is in accordance with conventions that are common usage in
the target language. The interpreter is trained in understanding
and analysing oral information quickly and presenting it adequately
in the target language.
In accordance with
the abilities required for the training of translators and
interpreters comprises the following courses:
- Oral and written
command
- Translation
and interpreting practice
- Theory of Translation
and Interpreting
- Culture Studies
- Subject Speciality
- Terminology
- EDP applications
Professional Environment
There are two ways
a translator or interpreter can be working: either in a permanent
position in a company, authority, or some other institution,
or as a freelancer, sometimes in cooperation with a translation
bureau.
The demand for
translation and interpreting service has been increasing tremendously.
Especially the ever-growing competition in trade and industry
as well as the changing legal basis have produced quantitatively
and qualitatively higher demands on texts and with that on
translators and interpreters than ever before.
Specialised translations
are incurring in a wide range of subjects. These are some
typical sorts of texts:
- Operating manuals
- Product descriptions
- Annual Reports
- Contracts
- Regulations
and laws
- Standards
- Patent Descriptions
- Subject-Specific
publications
Among others, the
field of translational activity covers the following areas:
- Translation
of specialised texts form a wide variety of subject areas.
- Composition
and optimisation of product-oriented texts for sale, installation
and maintenance.
- Preparation,
composition and translation of contracts.
- Layout design
- Design of Interactive
multimedia documents
- Creation and
maintenance of terminological data banks
- Ad hoc interpreting
of business meetings, negotiations, trade fairs.
Interpreters are
working in the following areas:
- Interpreting
during national and international court appearances.
- Interpreting
for public authorities (registry offices, social security
offices, etc.)
- Interpreting
in the health service (hospitals, ambulances, doctor’s
practices, etc.)
- Interpreting
during national and international conferences
- Translation
of documents
- Translation
of expert’s reports.
Written by Dr.
Hans Schwarz,
University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
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