What's the difference between translation and interpretation?

Question

I realize there is some overlap in the meanings of these words as used in everyday parlance, but I understand that some people do distinguish between them.

Answer 1

"Translation" is usually thought of as being more literal and involving a change in languages, i.e. saying what a person said in one language in a different language. A "translation" is not necessarily between two different "formal" languages, e.g. German to Russian, it could also be between technical jargon and layman's terms.

"Interpretation" is usually less literal and more "creative", expressing the speaker's thought or intended message in other words, not necessarily changing languages in doing so.

Two examples of conventional usage which blur the distinction between "translation" and "interpretation" are: 1) The above example (tech-speak to layman's terms) may be thought of as an interpretation, since both the tech-speak and layman's terms may be in, e.g. english, and it is the thought that is being "converted". 2) United Nations language translators are commonly referred to as interpreters.

Answer 2

Translation is Good morning = Guten morgen, Bon jour, Buenos días, etc.

Interpretation is:"Hey, you f***+++ bas****! What've you been doing with yourself? Long time no see.

Although, the third and fourth words are an insult, their meaning is not. Quite au contraire! They are (usually) a man's way to express joy at seeing a friend, a buddy, a comrade.

So, it is not only knowing the equivalent words, but the manner in which they are pronounced, the context and, more important the "sense" with which they are uttered.

Although, I agree in principle with "cherodman4u," Intelligence derives from the latin verb "Inter leggere" (reading between lines). Personally, I prefer much more an accurate translation than the best of interpretations. Anybody can interpret, but very few can translate.

It would be very difficult for an experienced translator of engineering texts to translate, properly, a poem by Walt Whitman. It would require a poet versed in both languages.

I still have problems trying to translate "Member Non Recourse Debt Minimum Gain" into plain English. Is there anybody who can?

Words are far more treacherous than men and women!

Answer 3

A translation refers back to the act of relaying the message in a distinctive way. the main elementary occasion is translating a chew of text textile from one language to a distinctive. A extra complicated occasion is whilst a doctor tells you you have some form of ailment, and makes use of complicated scientific jargon, then "dumbs it down" which you may communicate so as that persons who are not medical doctors understand the message it somewhat is being conveyed. what's significant to bear in ideas is that once you translate something, you're basically explaining it in a distinctive way, jointly as preserving as on the fringe of unique message as attainable. An interpretation, in spite of the shown fact that refers to how one is conscious and learns from the message. it somewhat is continuously distinctive in accordance to the guy, and (except completely beside the point to the subject rely) there is not any stunning or incorrect interpretation. for that reason, there are various translations of the Bible. Which version you pick to study and soak up for your self is as much as you. yet enable's say somebody got here as much as you and suggested "i do no longer understand ______ part of the Shakespeare e book i'm examining". you are going to be able to objective to help them by using explaining the passage to them in a distinctive way, using fact the language he makes use of is almost difficult. it somewhat is translating. in case you went directly to describe that "This part of the e book is an allusion to...." or "whilst he mentions this he somewhat potential to declare..." it somewhat is an interpretation. Make experience? sturdy luck.

Answer 4

In the domain of foreign languages, translation is about converting one language into another. Interpretation, however, is an interactive process, in the sense that it involves the interpreter who speaks both languages, assisiting two interlocutors to communicate with each other.

Answer 5

Translation is essentially conversion. Taking a word and finding it's exact (or very near) equivalent.

Interpretation leaves room for impression and consideration of context and is therefore less strict a "conversion" than a translation would be.

Answer 6

translation might be a more literal, uh, translation, while interpretation may connote some opinion while, uh, interpreting. Im finding it hard to express myself this early... word for word is translation, while interpretation could be trying to find a meaning and express it yourself

Answer 7

Translation = defintion, or the correct meaning or the word or phrase
Interpretation = how individuals define or see the meaning of the word or phrase. It may not be the correct defininition, but it is what it means to them.

Answer 8

Translation is literal-what the word, passage, phrase, actually means. Interpretation is your opinion of what it means.

Answer 9

'Translation' is supposed to be closely aligned with the "literal" and explicit meanings conveyed, while, 'interpretation' deals more with the implicit or "contextual backdrop"... you know, "reading between the lines."

Answer 10

Translation - literal.
Interpretation - subjective.