If you work in a global market or serve multilingual audiences, chances are you’ve faced the challenge of language barriers. Whether you’re organizing an international event, translating legal documents, or providing services to diverse communities, you’ve likely encountered the need for professional language services.
Many people mistakenly use the terms translator and interpreter interchangeably — but they are not the same. Each discipline requires a unique set of skills, training, and expertise. Understanding the difference is essential when deciding which service you need to communicate effectively with your audience.
What Does an Interpreter Do?
Interpreters specialize in converting spoken language from one language to another in real-time or near-real-time. Their work is often performed in live, fast-paced environments such as:
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Business meetings
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Conferences
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Medical consultations
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Court hearings
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Educational events
A professional interpreter listens to the speaker, processes what is being said almost instantly, and delivers an accurate oral interpretation in the target language. They must capture not only the words but also the tone, cultural references, gestures, and emotional intent behind the message.
Interpreting requires:
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Quick thinking and linguistic agility
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Exceptional listening and memory skills
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Deep cultural awareness
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The ability to work under pressure and in high-stakes situations
Interpreters may work in different modes, including:
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Simultaneous interpreting: conveying the message in real-time as the speaker talks
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Consecutive interpreting: waiting for the speaker to pause before interpreting
This demanding role is far more complex than simply being bilingual. Professional interpreters undergo extensive training and certifications to ensure they can deliver clear, accurate communication in real-time.
What Does a Translator Do?
While interpreters focus on the spoken word, translators work exclusively with written content. Their job is to take a document written in one language and accurately translate it into another, preserving the original meaning, style, and cultural nuances.
Translators work on various types of documents, including:
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Legal contracts
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Medical reports
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Technical manuals
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Marketing materials
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Website content
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Business communications
According to the American Translators Association, many professional translators specialize in specific fields such as law, healthcare, banking, or technology. This specialization requires deep subject matter expertise, as well as mastery of both the source and target languages.
Professional translators also:
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Conduct thorough research to ensure accuracy
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Use specialized terminology correctly
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Employ CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools to maintain consistency
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Carefully revise and edit their work to deliver high-quality results
Translating a document is not just about converting words — it’s about ensuring the message is understood as intended by readers in the target language.
Why the Difference Matters for Your Business
When looking for language services, it’s crucial to know whether you need a translator or an interpreter:
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If your content is written — like contracts, websites, or product manuals — you need a translator.
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If your content is spoken — like conferences, meetings, court proceedings, or medical consultations — you need an interpreter.
Hiring the wrong type of language professional can result in miscommunication, errors, and lost time or money. In high-stakes environments like legal, medical, or business settings, even minor mistakes can have serious consequences.
Work with Certified Language Professionals
At Targem Translations, we know the difference — and so do our professionals. As an ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 Certified company, we work exclusively with the most qualified, vetted, and experienced translators and interpreters in the industry.
We provide high-quality translation and interpreting services in over 300 languages, ensuring that your message is accurately conveyed, whether it’s written or spoken.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you communicate clearly and confidently with your global audience. Need an Interpreter? Fill out this form and we’ll get it set up for you.
