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Interpreters and Translators

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

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
  • Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
  • Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
  • Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
  • Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.

Skills that matter

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring

How to get there

Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

Also called

  • Interpreter
  • Medical Interpreter
  • Sign Language Interpreter
  • Translator
  • American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter)
  • Court Interpreter

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