People who work with languages often have to explain to non-professionals the differences between interpreting and translation. Here are three reasons why your translation firm (and translation firms in general) would like you to be aware of the distinctions that exist between translation and interpreting.

1. Basic Definitions

To start out with, let’s look at the basic definitions of interpreting and translation:

Translation means going from one language into another in written form. This could be a novel, a business report, charts and graphics, an email or a written letter or court document. As long as the words are on the page, tablet or computer screen, they can be referred to as “translated.”

Interpreting deals with the spoken language. When someone whispers into your ear, telling you what someone else is saying in a language you don’t understand, that person is interpreting for you. This can be done informally, as in the example above, or in a formal setting with headphones, interpreting booths and all kinds of interpreting gear.

2. Obtaining the Right Service

The reason it’s important to know the basic differences between translation and interpreting is simple: Your translation firm wants to give you the best service possible. While the professionals in this field are fairly used to people mixing up the definitions of the two words, it will make your job, as well as the job of the interpreter (or translator) a lot easier when the terminology is used correctly.

But don’t fret too much. Generally, after you describe what you’re after, it will become apparent that while you might be saying you need six  “translators” for an upcoming conference, you actually mean six “interpreters.”

3. Avoiding Confusion

If you have a big job or event on the horizon, and you need interpreters and translators, and a specific number of each, knowing the difference between the two can save you (and the team sent by your translation firm) from having to deal with a big logistical headache down the road. Remember, interpreters deal with spoken words, while translators work with written language. There, now you know the difference.