Definition of Interpreting
Interpreting is used — and misused — often in the English language. In the context of the language services industry, here are two official definitions:
Interpreting (ISO)
“Rendering a spoken or signed message into another spoken or signed language, preserving the register and meaning of the source language content.”
Interpreting (ASTM)
“The process of first fully understanding, analyzing, and processing a spoken or signed message and then faithfully rendering it into another spoken or signed language. ”
In other words, interpreting converts the meaning of the source language into the target language.
Interpreting and Communicative Autonomy
Interpreting takes place in many settings and for many reasons, yet at heart the purpose of interpreting is to facilitate communication between parties who do not share a common language. Trained, qualified interpreters faithfully interpret for all parties without adding, omitting or changing the message. And yet, their professionalism not only enables direct communication, it also supports communicative autonomy.
Communicative Autonomy
“The capacity of each party in an encounter to be responsible for and in control of his or her own communication. ”
ccc FOUNDER marjory bancroft (right) delivering 2018 keynote at the arizona translators and interpreters’ association annual conference
Interpreting versus Translation
Interpreting and translation are not the same thing! While many professional interpreters are translators and vice versa, interpreting and translation are two separate professions with different codes of ethics, educational requirements and certifications.
Interpreting
Rendering a message orally, or in signed language, from one language into another.
Translation
Rendering a written text from one language to another in writing. Learn more about translation.
In this inspiring video from the American Translators Association, interpreters and translators describe their reasons for joining the language industry. They also give examples of some fascinating and super specialized projects!