What is the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
The difference is very simple. A translator works with written texts, whereas an interpreter works with oral language.
What is the difference of studies among translators and interpreters?
In Chile a four-year bachelor study program is needed to become a translator and an additional 2-year study program is needed to become an interpreter. In other countries there are bachelor study programs for translation and master’s degrees for interpretation. Not all translators are interpreters!
How are translators’ and interpreters’ rates calculated?
Translators’ rates are usually determined by the amount of words to be translated in the source text, whereas interpreters fix their rates according to working time, whether it be hours or days.
I am a translator or an interpreter, could I ever receive assignments from SOS IDIOMAS?
We are constantly looking for colleagues interested to join this start-up project. Feel free to contact us so that we can have an interview or meeting to assess your skills and availability. We do answer all E-Mails coming from colleagues!
How can I assess the performance of a translator or interpreter hired through SOS IDIOMAS?
SOS IDIOMAS will send you surveys so that you can assess our collaborators. We are always open to receiving feedback from our clients and to making sure how we can improve the quality of every service we provide.
How do translator and interpreters specialize in a field?
Translators and interpreters specialize by taking specialization courses or constantly working in a field. They can also specialize through postgraduate studies or complementary courses as well as through valuable working experience.
How long does it take for a translator to finish a translation job?
That depends on the volume of the assignment. As an average, it is estimated that a translator can translate up to 2000 words a day (8 pages a day) for non-specialized texts. It can take several months to have a book or a vast assignment translated.
How long ahead of time should I contact a translator or interpreter to assign him/her a job?
The answer is as early as possible! A translator requires, at least, two days to have a short assignment done, since on one day he can translate and on the second day he can have the text edited. It can take him/her several months to have a vast assignment done. The sooner you contact him/her, the more convenient it will be for your pocket and for the translator.
In the case of interpreters, it is strongly recommended that you book them at least three weeks ahead of time, since they have to thoroughly study the subject your event will be about and organize themselves if they are to work in teams. The sooner you book the interpreter, the better for him/her and for your pocket as we.
How does an interpreter prepare himself/herself for a conference?
An interpreter studies the subject to be addressed at the conference, does terminological glossaries, translate written texts that might be read during the conference and practices for his intervention interpreting similar speeches to the ones of the conference.
What requirements do translators and interpreters have in order to perform their job well?
Translators and interpreters require to be given enough time to perform their jobs (see questions 5 and 6). Besides requiring to have the text to be translated, translators might need similar texts or might have to ask some questions to you regarding the content and linguistic preferences you or your company might have.
Interpreters require to be thoroughly informed about the subject to be addressed and the working conditions at the event. Power point presentations or speeches that will be shown or read at the event must previously be handed out to the interpreter by the events’ organizers. This should be done at least 5 days before the event.
It is important to point out that translators as well as interpreters might generally require the payment of 50% of the total fees beforehand to make sure of the validity of the assignment. Some translators require the payment of the rest before handing a translation out.
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