Translation guide
A person who translates spoken language in real time. Japanese distinguishes between interpreters (spoken) and translators (written), and has specific terms for different interpreting modes.
A person who interprets spoken language between two or more parties.
The standard word for an interpreter of spoken language. Can refer to the person or the act of interpreting.
She served as an interpreter at the conference.
Could you call an interpreter?
Explicitly refers to the person who interprets. Slightly more formal than 通訳 alone.
We need a professional interpreter.
An older or more formal term for interpreter, sometimes used in legal or official contexts.
A court interpreter was present.
An interpreter who translates while the speaker is talking, often used at conferences.
An interpreter who translates after the speaker pauses.
Clarifying the difference between spoken and written translation professionals.
Japanese clearly distinguishes between 通訳 (interpreter, spoken) and 翻訳 (translator, written). Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
Interpreters handle spoken language, translators handle written language.
A program that interprets and executes code.
Loanword from English, used in computing for a program that directly executes instructions.
Python is an interpreted language.
通訳 (tsūyaku) is for spoken language, 翻訳 (hon'yaku) is for written texts. Do not use 翻訳 for an interpreter.
He is an interpreter, not a translator.
The English word 'interpreter' can refer to both spoken and computer contexts. In Japanese, use 通訳 for people and インタープリタ for software. Using 通訳 for a computer interpreter sounds odd.