Have you ever confused the terms translation and interpretation? Don’t worry—it's more common than you think. Although both fields deal with language, their functions, contexts, and methods are completely different.
Interpretation: The “Live” Side of Language
Interpretation is about conveying spoken messages from one language to another in real time. Picture an international conference, a meeting with foreign clients, or a video call with participants from different countries. In these situations, the interpreter listens closely and immediately communicates the message in the target language—clearly and accurately.
Interpretation leaves no room for error. Every word matters—especially in sensitive topics or high-stakes negotiations. Whether in seminars, corporate events, or diplomatic meetings, professional interpretation ensures that everyone is understood—without language barriers.
Translation: Precision with Time on Your Side
Translation, on the other hand, deals with written content. The translator has time to analyze the text, research, edit, and adapt the message with clarity and accuracy. It’s ideal for documents, websites, manuals, contracts, corporate emails, and more.
A good translation doesn’t just switch words between languages—it captures the tone, intent, and context of the original. It’s a meticulous process requiring both linguistic expertise and cultural awareness.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
Choosing the right service can save you time, money, and critical misunderstandings. A poor interpretation—especially during a negotiation—can distort your message and lead to undesirable outcomes. Likewise, a poorly translated text can damage your brand image, confuse your audience, or even cause legal issues.
In both cases, precision, experience, and specialized knowledge make all the difference.
So, What Do You Need?
If you need to communicate in real time with people who speak other languages—in a conference, meeting, event, or call—you need interpretation.
If instead you need to translate a written document with attention to detail and accuracy, then you need translation.
Still unsure? At Linguando, we don’t just help you understand the difference—we guide you every step of the way.
