General Definition
Language interpretation refers to the process of providing ease of understanding between users of language of origin and target language. This could take the form of sign-language, oral interpretation or technologically-assisted programs.
Interpreting refers to the actual process of providing ease of understanding from one language form into its actual or approximate equivalent. Interpretation pertains to the output of interpreting one language to another form (speech, signals, text, etc.)
Interpreter assumes the position of the person who converts thoughts or expression of a language form and defines its equivalent to target language.
Equivalence in interpretation refers to linguistic, emotional, tonal and cultural parallel meaning of a language format with the target language.
General Contrast
Interpretation | Translation |
Takes a message from a source language and renders that message into a different target language. | Transfers the meaning of a language format from text to text |
Interpreters take in a complex concept from one language, choose the most appropriate vocabulary in the target language to faithfully render the message in equivalent idea. | With ample time, translators use external resources (dictionaries, thesaurus, glossaries, etc.) to faithfully transfer the source language into the target language to produce accurate documents or artifacts. |
Does not use verbatim in process | Attempts to reproduce source language in its exact equivalents of the target language |
Call for accuracy is instantaneous as the process is actual and immediate (extempore, consecutive, chuchotage, relay, liaison) | Uses revisions and editing techniques to attain accuracy |
Modes of Language Interpretation
Simultaneous (extempore) - interpreter renders the message in the target language as quickly as he can formulating from the source language while the source continuously provides input.
Consecutive interpretation (CI) - interpreter renders the message into the target language after the source stopped provided the information. The interpreter relies on memory and sometimes uses memory aids to render long passages. Sight translation - refers to the process of transfering the language as he sees it and usually done for legal or medical documents. Could also be classified as partial or full consequtive interpretation.
Whispered - interpreter sits or stands next to the small target-language group and simultaneously interprets information coming from the source language.
Relay -usually used when there are several target languages. A source-language interpreter interprets the text to a language common to every interpreter, who then render the message to their respective target languages.
