Being bilingual is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to become an interpreter. Interpreting is the intellectual activity of facilitating oral (and sign language) communication, simultaneously or consecutively, between two or more people who speak different languages.
The terms interpreting and translating are frequently used interchangeably, but they are not synonyms. Interpreting is the ORAL, while translating is the WRITTEN (text to text) transfer of meaning between two languages. Translators can work in the comfort of their own home. They have enough time and are able to access different resources such as a thesaurus, dictionaries, etc., to consider and review every word and phrase, to render an accurate translation of a text before they deliver the final product to the client. Interpreters do not have that luxury!
Interpretation is held to a different standard of accuracy than translation. It is a highly demanding job, because it occurs in real time. Interpreters have to render their interpretation immediately or shortly after the message in the original language is delivered. Although they try to achieve total accuracy at all times, it may not be easy if the speaker talks very fast or uses a lot of slang, a long list of figures or uncommon regional words and idioms.
Speakers at interpreted meetings can help improve accuracy and ensure better interpretation of their message into another language, by speaking at a slightly slower pace and by adding a pause of one or two seconds at the end of each paragraph.
At GB-Translations we are not just multilingual, we are multicultural! We believe in continuous training and constant practice. We offer trained and professional interpretation services and we make our best effort to ensure accuracy and the best rendition of your message in the target language.