Subj : Anecdotes about translators
To   : Alexander Koryagin
From : Ardith Hinton
Date : Thu Nov 04 2021 23:52:17

Hi, Alexander!  Recently you wrote in a message to Stas Mishchenkov:

ak>  please, I am a translator."

SM>  Should it be "an interpreter"?

AK>  I believe both words are correct, but they have a bit 
AK>  different meaning. 

AK>  If you interpret a phrase or something you actually 
AK>  explain it. For instance, we can interpret the events 
AK>  in Ukraine, according to our point of view.


            If the interpreter is expected to demystify what someone is saying as quickly as they can say it, the result could be more of an explanation than what I'd prefer if I'm hoping to read WAR AND PEACE in English.  As for what's going on in SomePlace Else, we may get closest to the truth by comparing input from a variety of people who live there & in other parts of the world....  :-)



AK>  If you translate you take one form of something and 
AK>  change it into another form.


            Yet I notice that when you translate written material into English you behave in much the same way a professional translator would.  You take the time to look things up & discuss with others whether e.g. "satchel" conveys to them what the word means to you, because such details are very important.  :-)



AK>  Some people tell that an interpreter is a person who works 
AK>  with the spoken word, whereas a translator works with the 
AK>  written word. 


            Lionbridge.com explains the differences quite well.  The situation as I see it is much like what I see WRT music.  To a student of music history, "classical music" means a particular style composed during a particular era... to the average person, the meaning is much broader.  In this case my choice of words depends on how much I believe the audience knows about the subject.  :-Q



AK>  But it IMHO sounds funny because of course an interpreter 
AK>  can translate a written text too.


            Uh-huh.  While some folks choose to specialize in one or the other their preference may depend on their learning style & on how they were taught. AFAIC your use of the word "translator" may be justified in this story if it's what the director thinks he understands &/or if he's surprised to learn that a person whose job description is xxx is capable of doing yyy as well... [grin].




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

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