Quite often there is an opinion that an interpreter and a written translator perform almost the same work. That translation and interpreting are, in principle, the same thing, and that all that is needed for the successful mastery of both professions is an excellent knowledge of one’s own and a foreign language. In fact, such a perception is a rather strong misconception, since these are two very different professions, and the specifics of these professions require completely different skills and personal qualities from a translator. Let’s figure it out.

What is interpreting and how does it differ from written translation?

Let’s start with a definition:

1) Written translations will include information that must be submitted in text format;

2) oral translations include the presentation of information in oral form. So far, everything is simple, but already in this formulation, the main difference between these two types of translation activity is noticeable, namely, that the first translators must have excellent reading and writing skills, have an extensive vocabulary; while the second (interpreters), in addition to knowing languages, must also be able to quickly respond to situations in live communication, be flexible, communicative and receptive people.

Those who skillfully work with written translations are used to expressing their thoughts competently and concisely, quickly analyzing the text. Truly good translators have to be perfectionists, partly because they usually have time to think about choosing the most appropriate words and grammar.

Interpreters, on the other hand, must first of all be able to instantly capture the thoughts of the interlocutors and no less quickly select the most appropriate translation for the situation – they do not have to ideally, word for word, repeat what was said in another language, but they need to convey the exact intonation, meaning and ideas of the speaker, albeit even in your own words. It is important to understand that in oral translation, the most verbally EXACT translation will not always be the most CORRECT and convey the true meaning of what was said. That is why really good interpreters have good reflexes, memory, and clear articulation. And this is all in addition to the perfect knowledge of the language from which and into which the translation is being made! It is for these reasons that interpretation (especially simultaneous) is considered the most difficult type of translation.

Where to find a good interpreter

The first and, we hope, the obvious answer to this question will be ‘order an interpreting service at the Kharkiv Regional Translation Center’, that is, from us. Such a step will allow you not to waste time searching for a highly qualified specialist on your own and excludes the possibility of finding a novice translator who can ruin a business meeting, presentation or the tone of the event for which he was invited to work with his illiterate work.

We, at the Kharkiv Regional Translation Center, are happy to provide translators for:

• telephone conversations with partners from any country;
• for official or informal translation of meetings, business trips around the city, for assistance in settling in a hotel, and so on;
• conclusion of transactions and for transfers when signing contracts with foreign representatives;
• to help in holding exhibitions, presentations, which will be attended by people from different countries;
• to accompany transactions when purchasing equipment from a foreign manufacturer (China and other countries), where an interpreter will help in communicating with technical consultants.

We guarantee that our translators will perform any translation with high quality and at the highest professional level, both simultaneously with the speaker and sequentially, with reliable and accurate transmission of the information being translated.

Write and call (097) 003-22-77, we work on weekdays from 9 to 19 without a break and we are the Translation Agency in Kharkov, which works on Saturdays from 9 to 16.