Interpreters and Translators

Also called: American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter), Arabic Translator, Bilingual Interpreter, Bilingual Secretary, Braille Translator

Varies

estimated salary

Interpreters and translators interpret oral or sign language or translate written text from one language into another.

  • 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.
  • Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
  • Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
  • Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
  • Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.
  • Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.
  • Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.
  • Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
  • Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.
  • Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided.
  • Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
  • Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture.
  • Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language.
Work Context
  • Contact With Others — 89% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 73% responded "Extremely important".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 51% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 48% responded "Every day".
  • Electronic Mail — 48% responded "Every day".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 38% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Frequency of Decision Making — 51% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Translate information for others.
  • Translate information for others.
  • Edit written materials.
  • Verify accuracy of data.
  • Translate information for others.
  • Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
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Knowledge

English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Foreign Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech Recognition
  • The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
  • The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software
  • Voice over internet protocol VoiP system software Hot Technology
Web platform development software
  • Hypertext markup language HTML Hot Technology
  • Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML
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