Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter); Court Interpreter; Educational Interpreter; Interpreter; Linguist; Medical Interpreter; Sign Language Interpreter; Spanish Interpreter; Spanish Translator; Translator

Tasks

• Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
• Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
• Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
• Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
• Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
• Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
• Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
• Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.

Knowledge

• English Language
• Foreign Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Education and Training
• Administrative
• Public Safety and Security
• Law and Government

Skills

• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Information Ordering
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Selective Attention
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Inductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Speed of Closure
• Time Sharing
• Auditory Attention