Both translation and interpretation lend themselves particularly well to freelance work (telecommuting) and both are involved with the transfer of meaning from one language to another, but there is a difference in how they do this.
A translator is a person who works with written language. Typical kinds of work include translating books, instructions, software manuals, and other documents. Although the internet has opened up worldwide communication and makes it easier than ever for translators to work at home, you might find more clients if you live in the country of your second language. For example, if you're a native English/fluent French speaker, you might find more work if you live in a French-speaking country rather than an anglophone country.
An interpreter is a person who orally transfers from one language to another. Interpreters work mainly in international organizations (e.g., the United Nations, NATO) and the government, but are also found in the travel and tourism sector. This transfer may be simultaneous (the interpreter listens to the speaker through headphones and interprets into a microphone) or consecutive (the interpreter takes notes and delivers his/her interpretation after the speaker). To survive as an interpreter, you must be willing and able to travel at a moment's notice and put up with often cramped conditions (e.g., too small interpretation booths with more than one interpreter).
Translation and interpretation are highly competitive fields. If you want to be a translator and/or interpreter, you need more than just fluency in two or more languages. Here are some things to give you an edge, listed from essential to highly recommended:
- Certification by the American Translators Association or other translation/interpretation organization(s)
- Translation/interpretation degree
- Specialization in one or more fields*
- Membership in at least one translation organization
A related job/skill is localization, which has to do with the translation and "globalization" of websites, software, and other computer-related programs.
Jobs using French
Introduction
Teaching
Translation / Interpretation
Editing / Proofreading
Travel, Tourism, Hospitality
Foreign Service
International Organizations
Other International Careers
