𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦: 4 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘴🕒
“Do you offer interpreting or translation?” It’s a question we’re asked often, and understandably so. The two services are closely related, but they serve very different purposes.
Knowing which one you need can save time, ensure accuracy, and make sure your message is received exactly as intended.
In this blog, we’ll explain the core differences between translation and interpreting, when to use each, and where they’ve come from (because both practices have surprisingly long histories).
But, as a quick answer, translation is the process of converting text from one language to another, while interpreting involves converting spoken and signed language.
What is translation?
Translation is the process of converting written text from one language into another.
It involves reading, analysing and rewriting a source document to produce a version that is accurate, fluent and faithful to the original, all while being culturally appropriate.
Common types of translation include:
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Legal and financial documents
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Marketing content and websites
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Medical records and research
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Product manuals and user guides
Translations can be produced by human linguists, machine translation, or a combination of the two (such as post-edited machine translation).
To reiterate, the easiest way to remember is that if involves text, its translation.
What is interpreting?
Interpreting is the act of converting spoken and signed language in real time. It enables communication between people who speak different languages, whether face-to-face or remotely.
There are different types of interpreting, often known as modes:
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Simultaneous interpreting – the interpreter speaks almost at the same time as the speaker (common in conferences)
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Consecutive interpreting – the speaker pauses every few sentences, allowing the interpreter to relay the message
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Whispered interpreting – used in small meetings where one or two people need language support
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Remote interpreting – delivered via phone or video platforms like Zoom or Teams
Interpreting is essential in sectors like healthcare, legal, business, government and events.
Translation vs Interpreting: Key differences
| Translation | Interpreting | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Written language | Spoken or signed language |
| Delivery | Asynchronous (can be edited/reviewed) | Real-time, near real-time, or in the case of signed, sign language interpreting can be pre-recorded |
| Environment | Behind the scenes | Live, interactive settings |
| Tools used | CAT tools, glossaries, translation memory | Headsets, mics, notepads, specialist platforms |
| Time required | Varies — hours to days | Instantaneous or scheduled in real time |
A brief history of both
Translation: An ancient tradition
Translation dates back thousands of years. One of the earliest known translations is the Epic of Gilgamesh, translated from Sumerian to other languages of the ancient Near East.
"It is known that translation services were utilised in Rome by Cicero and Horace and that these uses were continued through to the 17th century, where newer practices were developed." (Kwintessential)
Later, religious texts became key drivers of translation, from the Greek Septuagint (3rd century BCE) to the Latin Vulgate Bible (4th century CE).
By the Middle Ages, translators played a crucial role in spreading scientific, philosophical and medical knowledge across Europe and the Middle East.
Today, translation is used across every industry, from global marketing to clinical trials.
Interpreting: As old as human diplomacy
Interpreting has very likely been around even longer than translation. The need to interpret oral communication has always existed, from trade and tribal meetings to royal negotiations.
One of the earliest known recorded interpreters appears in Ancient Egypt, where scribes and oral interpreters helped pharaohs manage relations with foreign powers.
In modern history, interpreting played a central role in events like the Nuremberg Trials, where simultaneous interpreting was developed under pressure.
Today, professional interpreting is both a specialised career and a critical tool for diplomacy, healthcare and public service.
Translation and interpreting may share the same goal — enabling communication across languages — but the way they achieve it is entirely different.
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If you’re dealing with written content, you need a translator
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If you’re handling spoken communication, you need an interpreter
At Wolfestone, we offer both services, supported by specialist linguists, dedicated project managers, and ISO-certified processes.
Not sure which one you need? We’re happy to advise.
Get in touch for a free consultation, quote or test sample.
𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 2021 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.
