In the era of globalization, more and more businesses are expanding into international marketing and offering their services beyond geographical boundaries. However, in order to communicate with the global audience effectively, translation and interpretation have become vital. As the demand for language translation services and language interpretation services is on the rise, understanding the difference between the two is important. 

Why Do Businesses Need Translation and Interpretation Services?

Before understanding the difference between translation and interpretation, let’s take a look at why businesses need them. Businesses around the world require interpretation and translation services to:

• Reach out to a wider audience around the globe
• Communicate effectively with the customers in their native language
• Increase brand awareness among the target audience
• Attract more global customers for the brand.

What is Translation?

Translation can be defined as the process of translating written content from one language to another language. It ensures that the original meaning of the content is communicated effectively to the target audience. Translation makes use of guides, dictionaries, and other experts in order to ensure the accuracy of work.

What is Interpretation?

Interpretation can be defined as the process of converting the spoken language or speech into the text format. The interpreter services are usually either delivered live or immediately after the delivery of the original speech. In the interpretation process, the original meaning of the speech is preserved, but no help is taken from the dictionaries, scripts, or other reference materials. 

Key Differences between Translation and Interpretation

One of the major differences between interpretation and translation is that translation converts the written text while interpretation converts the orally spoken language. However, there are several other differences between the two. Here are some of the most common and prominent differences between translation and interpretation. 

1. Delivery

The delivery of the language to language translation and interpretation differs. Interpretation usually takes on the spot and is made immediately. It can take place in person, via video, or over the telephone.

However, translation can be done long after the original text is created. It provides the translation experts with ample time to leverage different materials and technologies in order to generate high-quality and accurate translations.

2. Direction

In general, professional interpreters need to be fluent in the source language as well as the target language. It is important as they need to work in both directions and instantly interpret speeches without the help of any reference material.

However, the translators need to be proficient in the target language only. But fluency in the source language is also important. Translators usually work in one direction only and translate the original content into the target language accurately.

3. Accuracy

The level of accuracy in interpretation and translation differs. Interpretation demands a lower level of accuracy in comparison to translation. While the interpreters focus on delivering 100% accurate services, it is actually quite challenging, especially in the live setting.

In case of interpretation, some parts of the original speech are likely to be left out in the target language. However, translation demands more accuracy. The professional translators focus on editing and reviewing the translated content in order to deliver highly accurate content.

4. Personality Traits

The personality traits of the translators and the interpreters differ. The translators are usually perfectionists, detail-oriented, analytical, and patient. On the other hand, the interpreters have excellent communication skills and are multi-taskers as well as good listeners. 

5. Non-verbal Clues

Interpretation requires capturing the non-verbal clues of the speakers. Whether an interpreter is interpreting a pre-recorded speech or working in a live setting, they need to recognize and capture the non-verbal clues of the speaker. It includes capturing the voice quality, tone, inflections, intonations, and other unique elements in the speech.

However, translation does not include capturing non-verbal clues. It simply involves the translation of the written text into the desired language.

6. Types of Translation and Interpretation

When it comes to type, there are various types of translation. Some of the most common types of translation are legal translation, medical translation, technical translation, website translation, financial translation, certified translation, and marketing translation. Legal translation includes the translation of documents like business agreements, contracts, employee documents, company bylaws, etc.

Medical translation includes the translation of clinical trials, medical reports, manuals, etc. Technical translation includes the translation of documents like guides, manuals, patents, and technical standards. Financial translation includes the translation of financial statements, financial reports, bank records, and invoices.

Marketing translation includes translating documents such as brochures, presentations, newsletters, slogans, etc. Certified translation includes translating criminal records, marriage and birth certificates, diplomas, and court judgments. Website translation includes the translation of websites, mobile apps, and software applications.

On the other hand, there are only two types of interpretation, namely simultaneous interpreting, and consecutive interpreting. Simultaneous interpreting involves interpreting spoken text from one language to the other without delay. However, consecutive interpreting involves the interpretation of the spoken words into the target language in sentences or parts.

7. Work Tools

The translation service providers leverage a number of work tools such as CAT tools, reference materials, dictionaries, and translation memories. This helps in simplifying the tasks of the translators and enabling them to deliver the services on time.

However, the interpretation service providers do not have access to such work tools. The reference materials are also not available to them all the time. The interpretation service providers need to be ready and highly alert in order to react promptly and deliver services instantly.

Conclusion

Both translations, as well as interpretation services, are highly essential in order to reach out to the target audiences around the globe. Now that you have a clear understanding of the two services, it will be easy to determine when you need translation services and when to hire interpretation services. Hire the services from the reputed companies in the industry in order to get the best quality translation and interpretation services. 

Globalization has changed the face of the world. Businesses are expanding beyond their physical boundaries and setting foot in other countries across different cultural backgrounds and languages. Global companies require professional translation services in a bid to connect and communicate with customers and clients in foreign countries. 

Multiple language solution providers offer professional services.

However, a common observation by most service providers is the confusion in the client’s mind between translators and interpreter. Lack of understanding leads to the interchangeability of both services. Often clients requiring professional interpreting services ask for a translator and others with a need for translations end up asking for interpreters. 
In a bid to clear the air between these similar terms, here’s a detailed insight into the differences between translation and interpretation. 

About Translation Services 

Language to language translation refers to the translation of content from one language to another. Translation is done for a document, content and recorded audio/video files. It is not done live. However, word to word translation of the text is not sufficient. The text must be translated in a way that is linguistically and culturally appropriate as understood by the target audience. Contextual consistency is imperative to ensure that the audience understands exactly what the original document intends to communicate. 
Translators are linguistic experts in the source and target language with knowledge in specific industries like medical, legal, academic and more. They therefore, understand the terminologies associated with the specific field and thereby provide accurate translations. 
Translation is closely related to localization, but not the same. A fine line of difference is drawn between the two. Localization is not restricted to translation of the text, but to adapt the content in tune with the cultural background of the target audience. 

About Interpretation Services 

While translation refers to the written text, interpretation refers to the spoken language done live as and when it is spoken in another language. Interpretation services are hired to facilitate communication between two people knowing different languages and from diverse cultural backgrounds. 
Their services are used in person, over the phone or for interpreting video or audio content. Translation of live conversation in conferences, meetings, phone calls, etc. refers to interpretation. As it involves live services, an interpreter must be able to work under pressure while communicating one person’s message to another. They are also well versed in both source and target languages and possess knowledge in specific fields like medical, legal and more. For instance: in a medical conference, interpretation would be challenging if the interpreter lacks good communication skills and an in depth understanding of the medical jargon used by medical professionals. 

Similarities In Interpretation and Translation Services

Although both interpretation and translation services differ, translators and interpreters share a few similarities. Here’s a list of these. 

• Both translators and interpreters are expected to be well versed in both the source and target language, so they can translate the original content with 100% accuracy.
• Translators and interpreters work to communicate the original message exactly as it is to the target audience. 
• Interpreters and translators are professionally qualified to provide the services expected with total precision.  

Differences In Interpretation and Translation Services

Translators and interpreters differ in more than one way. Here’s the list of differences between the two.

• Translators work with the written words or a pre-recorded words, while interpreters work with the live spoken words.
• Translation services are time bound, but not as much as interpretation. Translation of written text can be done across a span of few hours or days. However, interpretation is done spontaneously during a live conversation.   
• Interpreter’s charge by the hour or by the day. Translators charge per word, per hour or per page basis.
• Translators sometimes use software tools. However, as interpretation services are spontaneous, using software tools is not possible.

Tips To Find The Right Translator or Interpreter

Although most of the skills of translators and interpreters are similar, some are a bit different. Translators must be well versed with grammar, format and style of both source and target language, as they deal with translation of text. On the other hand, professional interpreters must have a command on the spoken languages and the confidence to interpret and communicate orally. 
The market is flooded with a host of companies offering translation and interpretation services. However, all of them may not provide expert services. 
It is overwhelming to find the best service provider from the crowd. 
Here are a few tips to find high quality translation and interpretation solution providers.

• Translations are not completely accurate until they are localized in a way that is understood by the target audience. So, choosing translation service companies that localize content is the key to ideal translations. 
• The company should be able to provide translators and interpreters in the language required by the client on demand. Requirements that are not fulfilled on time are not as useful.
• It is vital to check if the service provider provides language solutions in time without delay
• In case of legal, business and other translation and interpretation services, confidentiality of company and client information is prime. Checking if the company maintains confidentiality is important. 
• Check if they have references of clients who have used their translation and interpretation services. Speaking to the references about the company’s services helps client’s understand more about the efficiency of their services. 
• Accurate translation and interpretation services do not require only linguistically fluent service providers. It is important for them to be well versed in specific fields like legal, technical etc. Understanding the terminologies while translating or interpreting requires an understanding of that specific field. It is vital to check if the service provider hires such people who can provide high quality services. 
• Checking online reviews help in understanding whether the services are high quality and accurate. 

The above tips make it easy for clients looking for the best interpretation and translation services to reach their ideal destination and get the best services

One such company that has been serving global companies with accurate, cost effective and quick turnaround translations by native translators in more than 100 languages is Vanan Translation. Our primary motto is client satisfaction. You can therefore, expect unbeatable services from us. 

Culture is a complicated subject, way more than what you perceive. Culture shapes personality in terms of how we raise our kids to how we conduct our business. Culture has a spellbinding impact on everything, especially international business. When we are doing business with people from the same culture, there are rules written on the stone. These rules lay the foundation of how we negotiate and communicate. Most importantly, the languages used in communication will be the same. 

On the flip side, when we work with people belonging to a different culture, every aspect of conducting business becomes complex. There will a difference in concepts & values, behaviors & beliefs, manners & customs, negotiation & bargaining styles and most importantly, the languages. Once the language barrier is taken care, most of the cultural differences will get wiped out automatically. Communication is the key to removing cultural variations. 

In the next segment, we will talk about the difference in culture and challenges associated with doing international business. So, let’s scroll down and find out. 

Personal Challenges

When working in a multicultural environment there are plenty of challenges which are personal. When we are unable to recognize and embrace the cultural difference, our self-confidence and mental well-being gets hampered. 

Many individuals build walls in their minds when dealing with cultural differences and it does more harm than any good. It takes an emotional toll on the individual as he is moving out of his comfort zone. Anxiety and stress are very common when the culture is foreign to an individual.

The cultural shock can affect the professionals on a personal level. If the differences are not sorted out or accepted, it will affect the health of the individual. The prevalent symptoms to watch out for include headaches, migraines, burnout, and exhaustion. 

Cognitive Challenges 

Collaborating with people from a different culture leads to the birth of several cognitive challenges. Cognitive challenges are related to the way we think and process the information. And, when we work with someone who is from a different culture, it creates a problem, especially, if we are unable to recognize the dissimilarity between the two cultures and adapt to it.

For instance, in your culture, waste of time could be regarded as waste of money, whereas, in another culture, it is the importance of personal connections. In many cultures, relationships come before business. In some cultures, business is the top-notch priority. If you want to expand your business to countries having different cultures, best is to train, adapt and accept the new culture.

Practical Challenges

Working with people from different cultures has numerous practical challenges as well. We all are fine tuned by our culture on the practicalities of business. Culture defines how to conduct an interview, a presentation or even deal with customer complaints. Making an eye contact, sitting posture, moving hands, etc, could mean different things in different cultures.

For instance, eye contact in a certain manner may be a way of showing self-confidence in a culture, but in another culture, it could inflict disrespectful attitude. Also, management is done is different ways in different cultures. The Japanese system of management is very different from the American way. Hence, doing some research before moving businesses to another country will be helpful.

Conclusion

Finally, if you want to adapt to the culture of your prospective audience in non-English speaking countries, you have to hire a trustworthy translation services agency that understands the cultural nuance. Not all translation companies are good enough, research well, read online reviews & ratings to make the right decision.

Translation services provided by qualified linguists who understand the culture differences could prove to be a game changer and help your business to progress at an international level.