Interpreters and Translators

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Also known as:
American Sign Language Interpreter, Court Interpreter, Deaf Interpreter, Diplomatic Interpreter, Language Translator, Translator

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ABOUT INTERPRETER OR TRANSLATOR CAREERS

Video transcript

If you are fluent in more than one language, you might qualify to join an elite workforce. Interpreters and translators are needed for work in business, government, the military, the media, social services, the judicial system, in travel and tourism - anywhere cultures intersect. Simply speaking a second language is not sufficient, however.

Employers in these various fields look first for people with college degrees as foreign language majors. One use for which the need for these professionals is growing rapidly is the interpretation of medical and legal information in hospitals and legal settings, especially in the inner cities with large immigrant populations.

The opportunities can be exciting, with jobs that take you to top-level meetings and exotic destinations. Or you could work at home, translating operating manuals. The need for precision is paramount, as you are the link between those who wish to convey information and those who need to understand it.

A sensitivity to how cultural differences affect communication can help you get the message across and avoid embarrassing glitches for you and your employer.

SNAPSHOT

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

Leadership	LOW
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	LOW
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	LOW
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	HIGH
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.

Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.

Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.

Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.

Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.

Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.

Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.

Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Foreign Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Communications and Media	Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

TOP SKILLS

Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.