5 reasons to hire an interpreter for your event

The difference between interpretation and translation

Both translation and interpretation are processes that enable communication between people by overcoming linguistic obstacles. Although both are sometimes conflated and presuppose a certain love for language and a profound knowledge of more than one language, there are clear differences between them.

Intimately related from a linguistic point of view, on the surface the difference between interpretation and translation lies only in the medium: the interpreter translates orally while the translator interprets a written text.

This is a fact: translation is the transfer of written content from one language to another. It involves the process of conveying the meaning of a text in order to precisely reflect the content, style, and tone of the source language. Translators work with written documents such as books, manuals, websites, and legal documents, and must have a profound knowledge of grammar, syntax, and style, paying attention to terminological consistency and the need to research the topics in question.

Interpretation, however, is the conveyance of spoken language. Interpreters work in real time, translating on the spot during a conversation, meeting, or conference. They must be able to work quickly and under pressure, since they are frequently in real-time situations, dealing with the stress of performing various tasks, processing information, and producing an exact interpretation immediately.

Let’s look at some of the advantages of hiring an interpreter.

1. Guaranteed quality

When we add the complexity of a subject like law or a medical diagnosis, we realise the importance of quality interpretation. An interpreter often must communicate complex concepts or technical or specialised language clearly.

When we hire an interpreter we ensure the translation is exact – interpreters are trained professionals with extensive knowledge of the languages they interpret, they are familiar with colloquialisms, idioms and cultural nuances that may not be obvious in a written text, and they can ensure the message is transmitted to the audience accurately.

2. Excellent multitasking

Multitasking is another important requirement for an interpreter. There are times when the interpreter has to be extremely fast, taking notes at every point.

This happens during simultaneous interpretation, where the transfer of content takes place as the discourse is being delivered, as well as during consecutive interpretation, where the interpreter waits for the speaker to pause before translating.

The difference is in the timing of the performance of the task – interpreters study the topic that will be discussed ahead of time and develop their own resources, such as terminology databases, glossaries, and dictionaries, which help them during their work.

Without this capability, interpreters would neither be able to follow nor transmit the entire conversation, so it is essential to hire a professional trained in the field. Some professionals are even licensed or experts in a specific area, which is particularly useful for interpreting specialised terminology or vocabulary.

3. Privacy and confidentiality

Interpretation services safeguard privacy in relation to the topics discussed, so you can rest assured our services are secure, convenient, and easy to hire, since confidentiality is of the greatest importance to us.

Privacy and confidentiality are essential components of interpretation services. Professionals in this field often have access to sensitive and confidential information and are responsible for maintaining the security of that information.

Confidentiality agreements and professional standards help ensure interpreters maintain the required level of privacy and confidentiality, allowing you to communicate freely and openly during your event. At Traductanet, we respect these conventions and we guarantee trustworthiness and compliance with all relevant regulations.

4. Cultural inclusion

Hiring an interpreter promotes cultural inclusion, ensuring all participants can communicate and be fully involved, regardless of language or cultural background.

This promotes a more diverse and inclusive environment, which can result in fruitful, successful, and productive ideas for all parties. It is very easy to make communication mistakes when dealing with diverse cultures and languages, since language is not merely words, but also history, customs and habits: essentially, it is a representation of how cultures function and what is acceptable.

What may seem appropriate and relevant in one culture can be offensive in another, with “catastrophic” consequences – especially in situations where negotiations are at stake. A professional interpreter is aware of the cultural nuances of each language and adjusts the source message to be acceptable to the target audience.

5. Consistency at every level

One of the most important advantages of professional translation services is consistency. The consistency provided by an interpreter is crucial to ensuring accurate communication and comprehension.

Interpreters are capable of transmitting the tone and intent consistently throughout an event, producing a more productive and coherent result. This level of coherence is especially important in high-pressure situations and helps create confidence and improved relations between participants, which in turn can lead to better business relationships.

Interpreters who provide consistent interpreting services also ensure no important information is lost in translation, which is a major asset in fields where accuracy is critical, such as in legal and medical interpretation.

Would you like to find out more about why you should hire an interpreter for your event?

If your company has frequent contact and meetings with international and foreign-language stakeholders, our interpreting services can help improve the flow of communication and avoid costly misunderstandings.

Please see our interpretation service prices. Don’t hesitate to contact us and request a quote today!