Ever feel frustrated because you don’t know what’s that word the interpreter is talking about? No worries, here are some of the basic words that a typical translator or interpreter would say when communicating with clients.

The Very Basic: Essential Terms for Translators and Interpreters

Translation

Translation is the process of converting written text from one language (the source language) into another language (the target language) while maintaining the original meaning and context.

Interpretation

Interpretation refers to the real-time conversion of spoken language from one language to another. This can occur in various settings, including conferences, meetings, and courtrooms.

Localization

Localization involves adapting a product, service, or content to a specific locale or market. This goes beyond translation to include cultural nuances, regional preferences, and local regulations.

OPI (Over-the-Phone Interpreting)

OPI is a service that allows individuals to communicate with each other through an interpreter over the phone. This is often used in situations where in-person interpretation is not feasible.

VRI (Video-Remote Interpreting)

VRI is similar to OPI, but it involves the use of video technology. This allows interpreters to pick up on visual cues and body language, enhancing the accuracy of the interpretation.

Source Language

The source language is the original language of the text or speech that needs to be translated or interpreted.

Target Language

The target language is the language into which the text or speech is being translated or interpreted.

LSP (Language Service Provider)

An LSP is a company or individual that offers various language services, including translation, interpretation, localization, and more.

Translation Basic Terms: Key Concepts in Translation

Human Translation

Human Translation is the process of translating text by a human translator, as opposed to using machine translation. Human translators understand cultural nuances, context, and idiomatic expressions, ensuring high-quality and accurate translations.

Proofreading

Proofreading involves reviewing and correcting the translated text to ensure it is free of errors and meets quality standards. This step is crucial for producing polished, error-free translations.

Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance (QA) is the process of systematically monitoring and evaluating various aspects of a translation project to ensure that standards of quality are being met. This includes consistency, accuracy, and overall presentation.

MT (Machine Translation)

Machine Translation is the process of using computer software to translate text from one language to another. Popular MT tools include Google Translate and DeepL.

MTPE (Machine Translation Post-Editing)

MTPE involves human translators reviewing and editing machine-translated text to ensure accuracy and readability. This combines the efficiency of MT with the quality of human translation.

TM (Translation Memory)

A Translation Memory is a database that stores previously translated segments of text. It helps translators maintain consistency and speed up the translation process by reusing past translations.

Tags

In translation, tags refer to formatting codes or placeholders used in digital documents. They ensure that the formatting remains consistent after translation.

Closed Captioning

Closed Captioning involves displaying text on a screen that corresponds to spoken dialogue. It is used for television programs, movies, and online videos to assist those with hearing impairments.

Open Captioning

Open Captioning is similar to closed captioning, but the captions are permanently embedded in the video and cannot be turned off.

Time Stamp

A time stamp in translation refers to the specific time in a video or audio file when a particular segment of text appears or is spoken. It is crucial for accurate subtitling and transcription.

CAT Tools (Computer-Assisted Translation Tools)

CAT Tools are software applications that assist translators in their work, such as SDL Trados, MemoQ, and Wordfast. These tools often include features like translation memories, terminology databases, and text segmentation to improve efficiency and consistency.

Interpretation Basic Terms: Key Concepts in Interpretation

Sight Translation

Sight Translation involves reading a document written in one language and interpreting it into another language on the spot. This is commonly used in legal and medical settings.

Consecutive Interpretation

In Consecutive Interpretation, the interpreter listens to a speaker and waits until they pause before translating the speech into the target language. This method is often used in meetings and small group settings.

Simultaneous Interpretation

Simultaneous Interpretation requires the interpreter to translate the speaker’s words in real-time without pauses. This method is commonly used in large conferences and events where multiple languages are spoken.

Dialect

A dialect is a regional or social variation of a language with distinct pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Interpreters must be familiar with various dialects to ensure accurate communication.

Decalage

Decalage refers to the slight delay between the original speech and the interpreter’s translation in simultaneous interpretation. Managing this delay is crucial for maintaining the flow of communication.

Deverbalize

Deverbalize means to extract the meaning from the source language without directly translating word-for-word. This technique helps interpreters convey the intended message more naturally in the target language.

The Importance of Understanding Translation and Interpretation Terms

Understanding these fundamental terms is crucial for anyone involved in the language services industry. Whether you are a translator, interpreter, client, or simply interested in how these processes work, this knowledge will enhance your ability to communicate effectively and ensure that your language needs are met accurately.

By familiarizing yourself with these concepts, you can better appreciate the complexities of translation and interpretation and the skills required to perform these tasks proficiently. This not only aids in choosing the right services and providers but also in fostering clear and efficient communication across languages and cultures.